Warwick University announces five honorary degrees

The University of Warwick has announced five of the honorary degrees that will be awarded at the winter degree ceremonies held on the 22-24 January.

The list includes a director of the London 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony, a founder of behavioural economics and the president of Marketing Birmingham.

Kevin Finnan MBE will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters for his work in touring productions and large performances.

After completing a PhD in Theatre from Warwick, his achievements include being choreographer and movement director for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Professor George Loewenstein of Carnegie Mellon University, USA, is one of the founders of behavioural economics and more recently, neuroeconomics.

He will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science for his research that focuses on applying psychology to economics.

Lord Whitby is to receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his achievements in business.

Currently he is a fellow of the Institute of Directors, president of Marketing Birmingham, and chairman and managing director of engineering company Skeldings.

An Honorary Doctor of Laws will be given to Dr John Wood, former vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, for his contribution to business and academia.

Dr Wood has been director of New Zealand-based companies including Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd and ASB Bank Limited.

Dr Oliver Sacks is to be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Based in Neurology at New York University, he is a visiting professor at Warwick and has won many awards for his writing on people living with neurological conditions.

The honorary graduates will join the likes of Gavin and Stacey co-writer and actress Ruth Jones and author Terry Pratchett who were awarded honorary degrees in 2013 and 1999 respectively.

The University of Warwick can award five honorary degrees – Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science (DSc), Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc).

The honorary Doctorate degrees are awarded for “high intellectual or cultural distinction” whereas the honorary Master degrees are for people who “have served the University or the community”.