Once again, London’s South Bank was filled with flying mortar boards, excited graduands, proud parents and the sound of popping champagne corks, as Royal Festival Hall hosted UAL’s 2013 graduation ceremonies. As always, the Alumni Relations team was camped out at in the foyer, ready to welcome all UAL’s new graduates to the Alumni Association.
Over 4,000 graduating students, along with friends and family, joined us across the four days, making this year bigger then ever.
Students were joined on stage by 15 influential figures from the creative and cultural sectors, on whom UAL bestowed honorary degrees in recognition of their extraordinary achievements. Each one of them had invaluable advice, wisdom and encouragement to share with our newest alumni as they begin the next chapter in their lives.
Former Chair of Arts Council England, Dame Elizabeth Forgan, told them: “You’re creative, effective and successful people – you fill me with optimism and hope for the future.”
Later in the week, bespoke tailor, Ozwald Boateng added “The big question I get asked about my career is ‘how is it done?’ Well, the commitment that got you all here today is how it’s done.”
UAL’s Development and Alumni Coordinator, Georgina Tibbott, remarked; “Graduation week is always a really exciting time for us as well as the graduands and their families. This year was certainly no exception. We were able to talk to more new alumni then ever before! A massive thank you to everyone who came to visit our stand and learn about all the benefits and opportunities UAL has to offer all its former students. You are now joining 200,000 fellow alumni and former staff who are already members of the world’s largest creative network.
We also want to make sure alumni don’t miss out on hearing about all the opportunities available to them. Make sure you keep us up-to-date with your contact details and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.”
UAL’s 2013 Honorary Graduates:
- John Akomfrah OBE, film director, screenwriter and founder of the Black Audio Film Collective
- Ozwald Boateng OBE, tailor renowned for his style of ‘bespoke couture’
- Sarah Burton OBE (CSM,1996), creative director of Alexander McQueen
- Alison Chitty OBE (CSM, 1969), production, set and costume designer for film and theatre
- Richard Deacon CBE (CSM, 1972 & Chelsea, 1977), sculptor
- Dame Elizabeth Forgan DBE, former Chair of Arts Council England
- Malcolm Garrett, graphic designer
- Stephen Jones OBE, milliner
- Donald McCullin CBE Hon FRPS, photojournalist
- Clive Phillpot, writer, curator and art librarian
- Stephen Rubin, fashion industry leader
- Jon Snow, journalist and Channel 4 News presenter
- Thomas Healtherwick CBE, RDI, designer and founder of the Heatherwick Studio
- Edmund de Waal OBE, ceramicist and author of The Hare With Amber Eyes
- Richard Young, photographer