A celebrated film and television sound designer returned to Luton’s Putteridge Bury campus to receive an Honorary Doctor of Arts recognising his outstanding contribution to digital film and TV production and marked a poignant homecoming for the University of Bedfordshire media production graduate.
Glen Gathard was one of three inspirational alumni that returned for the university’s summer graduation ceremonies – each returning to share their journeys, successes, and advice with the class of 2025.
Gathard’s return marked his evolution from media production student to internationally recognised sound professional, working on major film and television titles such as Harry Potter and hit series Peaky Blinders. His credit list of more than 300 productions in film, television and video games also includes Baby Driver, Wonder Woman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Devs, The Witcher, Alien Isolation and The Division.
He said: “Returning to the university as an honorary recipient is deeply emotional for me. It was here that my creative path truly began, and one of the biggest influences on that journey was my lecturer, Peter Titterington.
“He wasn’t just an inspiring teacher; he was a man of real brilliance and humility. I still remember how it felt to learn that he’d written an essay on The Shining that became one of the most respected analyses of Kubrick’s work and that he was the only person Stanley Kubrick ever replied to publicly.
“As a student, knowing I was being taught by someone who had made that kind of impact was electrifying. It changed the way I saw the craft and what was possible. Peter made sound and cinema feel like something alive – something that mattered.”
During the same ceremony, Olympic silver medallist Mallory Franklin was awarded an Honorary Master of Sport for raising the profile of women in British sport. A sports therapy graduate, she reflected on her time at Bedfordshire and offered graduates a message of ambition and resilience:
“It’s such a pleasure to come back to the University, and it’s crazy to think about how long it’s been since I graduated! I loved my time at uni, and I learnt so much in my time there. The staff were so good with allowing me flexibility around my sporting career. I can’t believe the University are gifting me this Honorary award, it feels so insane to me that I am being recognised at that level.
“I hope the students will be able to relate to some of the challenges and successes I have experienced and grown from and that it allows them to see they can fight through anything and chase their dreams. Across my time at Bedfordshire, I was challenged to grow as a person and push myself to become braver and learn who I am as person which I took into my sporting career and helped me to reach my goals.”
Also honoured was Luton icon Mick Harford, celebrated for his contribution to football and his continued service to the local community. Other recipients included Paul Kehoe CBE, Chair of Luton Rising, for his work in aviation, as well as public figures recognised across public service, the arts and charity.
