TV’s Huw Makes the News at Newport’s University
Huw Edwards is known to millions of viewers as the main presenter of the BBC’s flagship 10 o’clock News.
Over 20 years, he has presented a wide range of BBC programmes, including Newsnight and Panorama – and he has co-hosted two General Election programmes on Radio 4. Having spent over a decade reporting politics at Westminster, Huw is also the BBC’s voice at Trooping the Colour, the Festival of Remembrance, and the State Opening of Parliament. In 2005, his team received two prestigious awards – from BAFTA and the Royal Television Society.
He has also presented a range of programmes on classical music and the Welsh language on TV and radio. An enthusiastic pianist and organist, he has enjoyed a long association with the renowned Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
Newport-born Josie D’Arby (right) is an accomplished actress, presenter and campaigner, having started her career at the age of 14. While a student at RADA, Josie was offered her first presenting job with the BBC and was asked to join them full-time upon graduation. Since then, she has presented programmes including Top of the Pops, The Bigger Breakfast and became the youngest British host to have her own show on Channel 5. Her serious acting roles have included parts in Merseybeat, Casualty and Judge John Deed and four seasons of The Vagina Monologues stage tour.
Josie is one of only six celebrity ambassadors for the Red Cross and has campaigned on their behalf, by trekking and cycling in countries from South Africa to Cambodia and volunteers by helping out in her local Red Cross shop. She has also helped Greenpeace restore forgotten villages in Paphos. In addition, Josie works for the London-based charity, Surf, which raises funds for survivors of the Rwandan genocide.
Also being honoured with a Fellowship this year is Professor James Lusty who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport from January 2002 until December 2006. Professor Lusty made an immense contribution to Higher Education in a career that has spanned over 30 years in the English and Welsh University Education Sector, including being elected Chair of Higher Education Wales (HEW) in 2004.
During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, he successfully led Newport to gain full University status and saw the University flourish and grow as student numbers increased and a new portfolio of courses was developed. His personal vision of a city centre campus is now well on track and is central to the city's plans for its regeneration.
A posthumous Fellowship is being awarded to Roger Peachey who, during his time as a Governor of the University, served as Chair and Deputy Chair of its major committees and was Chair of the Board from 2000 to 2006. In these roles he was tireless and his boundless energy and strong commitment to the University of Wales, Newport played a key role in developing the University’s ambitious plans for the future.
Roger fully intended being able to receive the Fellowship himself and the University is grateful to his family, and Mrs Lynne Peachey, in particular, who has agreed to accept the posthumous Honorary Fellowship on behalf of her husband.
An Honorary Fellowship is also being awarded to Dr Jeffrey Thomas who, as senior partner in the Isca Medical Centre practice in Caerleon, has played a key role in the medical support for students at the University for many years. Dr Thomas has held clinics for students at both Allt-Yr-Yn and Caerleon campuses and has overseen the regular campus visits of the practice every September as part of the Intake weekend of residential students to register them within hours of arriving at Newport. This high quality of medical care is a very positive part of the student experience at Newport.
Nearly 2,000 students will be graduating from the University of Wales, Newport in the awards ceremonies which will take place over three days, from Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th September, in the Sports Hall at the University’s Caerleon campus. They will include the presentation of awards ranging from Access and Foundation diplomas to degrees and doctorates from all seven of the University’s academic schools. Many students from partner institutions which offer the University’s courses on a franchise basis will also be receiving awards.
