The University of Bedfordshire has marked its January graduation ceremonies in Luton by honouring a number of high-profile and locally connected figures, as hundreds of students celebrated the formal end of their studies at St Mary’s Church next to the Luton campus.
Alongside the graduating class of 2026 from Education, English and Sport, Creative Arts, Technologies and Science, Health and Social Sciences and the Business School, the University presented a series of Honorary awards recognising outstanding contributions to professional life and the wider community.
Among those honoured was singer, actress and television personality Brenda Edwards, who received an Honorary Doctor of Arts for her contribution to arts and media. Edwards is widely known for her appearances on ITV’s Loose Women and for finishing as runner-up on The X Factor. She is also the mother of the late Jamal Edwards MBE, the music entrepreneur and founder of the online R&B/Hip-Hop platform SBTV.
Local links were also reflected in the awards, with Rick Rodgers, founder and chair of Cheer for Everyone, receiving an Honorary Doctor of Sport in recognition of his work raising disability awareness in sport. University of Bedfordshire graduate Bilal Farooq, Director of Luton-based Greystone Solicitors, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration for his services to entrepreneurship and the local community.
Addressing students during the ceremonies, Interim Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Church said: “It really is an honour and a privilege to stand before you today on this momentous day, a day that marks the culmination of all of your hard work and dedication, a day of reflection, anticipation and, above all, celebration.”
He added: “Yes, the world is changing, and in many ways it needs to change, but you are now in the driving seat to power that change if you choose to do so. No one is better placed to do this than you. As Bedfordshire graduates, you are communicators. You are innovators. You are problem solvers. You are removers of barriers. You are the future and you can all play a part in shaping the future, and the planet in which we, and the generations to come, will live.”
Graduates also heard from a number of Guests of Honour during the week, including Robin Porter, Chair of the NHS Integrated Care Boards for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Hertfordshire and West Essex, as well as Steve Botterill, Director of Resourceful People Group.
A range of academic prizes were also awarded, recognising exceptional achievement by students. These included the Stephanie O’Kane Memorial Prize, presented annually to a Midwifery student whose innovative practice demonstrates the potential to benefit women and families.
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