Bangor University Honorary Fellowships 2014

A UK newsreader, an opera singer and an international rugby player are to receive Honorary Fellowships from Bangor University during this summer’s Graduation ceremonies (12-18 July).

Bangor University is to award  twelve Honorary Fellowships in all, and these will take place during different ceremonies during the week.

Among the men and women to be recognised and rewarded for their contribution are newsreader Huw Edwards, Welsh opera singer, Rhys Meirion and local Welsh international rugby player, George North.

Receiving recognition for their outstanding contribution to Welsh Broadcasting are veteran broadcasters Beti George and Dei Tomos while husband and wife entrepreneurs, David and Alison Lea-Wilson, founders of the successful Halen Môn, and before that, the Anglesey Sea Zoo are rewarded for their contribution to business in north Wales.

Professor John G Hughes, Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University commented:

“Bangor University is strongly grounded within its community and we’re delighted to be able to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by these individuals in their chosen fields. They have made a vital contribution to Welsh life or have a strong connection with Bangor University, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to our degree ceremonies in July.”

The full list of individuals to receive Honorary Fellowships follows:

Professor Ed Hill

For services to marine science

Executive Director of the National Oceanographic Centre, Southampton University; former postgraduate student and member of staff at Bangor. 

Beti George

For services to Welsh broadcasting

Welsh language TV newsreader and broadcaster for 30 years; former Cardiff and Aberystwyth student. 

Professor Robert Owen Jones OBE

For services to the promotion of the Welsh language in Patagonia   

Retired Professor of Welsh from Cardiff University; Bangor graduate who began his academic career at Bangor – 9 years in the Linguistics Department; awarded OBE in 2012 for promoting and revitalizing the Welsh language in Patagonia. 

David & Alison Lea-Wilson

For services to business in North Wales – awarded jointly.

Founders of Anglesey Sea Zoo and of Halen Mon; local entrepreneurs who have a long association with the University.

Andrew McNeillie

For services to publishing  

Emeritus Professor of English at Exeter University; former Literature Editor at the Oxford University Press, he founded the Clutag Press producing the work of poets such as Seamus Heaney and Geoffrey Hill; born and brought up in Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.

Dei Tomos

For services to Welsh broadcasting

BBC Radio Cymru presenter whose early morning farming bulletin has run for 25 years. Former Coleg Normal student.  

Professor Jean White

For services to nurse education 

Chief Nursing Officer for Wales since 2010; has made a significant contribution to the health and professional agenda in Wales and internationally; has been an excellent supporter of the work of our School of Healthcare Sciences

Professor Donal T Manahan

For services to science

Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California; expert on environmental physiology and adaption of marine animals; chief scientist for over 20 scientific expeditions to the Antarctic – and has a peak named after him. PhD graduate from Bangor.

George North

For services to sport

Wales & British & Irish Lions rugby player; brought up on Anglesey and attended Ysgol Bodedern; the youngest player ever to score a try on his debut for Wales.  

Rhys Meirion

For services to music

Welsh opera singer who has enjoyed international success; born and brought up in Tremadog, Gwynedd; worked as a teacher before deciding to study at the Guildhall School of Music, London; as Company Principal with English National Opera (2001-04) he sang most of the leading tenor roles.

Huw Edwards

For services to journalism and broadcasting

BBC newsreader and presenter.

Publication date: 5 June 2014