Legendary artist and entertainer Rolf Harris CBE delighted thousands of graduates and their families this week as he received his Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London.
Lord Rix, Chancellor of the University of East London, presented Mr Harris with his award at a wonderful ceremony held at London’s Barbican Hall on Thursday 8 November, the first of six ceremonies to be held over the next few weeks.
During his acceptance speech, Rolf talked about his own student years and led the audience of graduates and their families in a sing-along.
Lord Rix also presented awards to more than 300 graduates of UEL's School of Education, including many newly qualified teachers. Honorary awards were also made to John d'Abbro OBE, distinguished head of the pioneering special needs school New Rush Hall, and Cllr Balvinder Kaur Saund, founder of the Sikh Women's Alliance and Asian Women's Education Fairs across East London.
The University of East London awarded Mr Harris the honorary doctorate for his significant contribution to the arts and culture. He launched into his hit 'Two Little Boys' after a parent shouted for him to sing, and the audience of graduates and their families sang and clapped along.
He then told the graduates: "Make sure you look at every person in the audience or in the class room - unless you have the courage and confidence to meet everyone's eyes you will never reach your potential. You have to let them know that you are aware of what they are doing."
Speaking after the ceremony, Rolf Harris said: "It's really thrilling to be associated with this University. It's been brilliant to come back to a place of learning and help to inspire the students and give them some advice along the way."
Professor Martin Everett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, said: “It has been a wonderful afternoon. Throughout his career, Rolf Harris has inspired millions of people in so many ways, and he certainly inspired us all today with his warmth and enthusiasm. We are delighted to have such a good friend and supporter.”
Rolf Harris' connections with the University of East London date back to 2003, when he began using the Fabric Print and Design Bureau, part of UEL's Knowledge Dock enterprise development service, to create digital designs for some of his new work, including the green ‘signature’ shirts he wore on the occasion of his 50th anniversary show on BBC1.
In February 2007, Rolf and Alwen Harris were among guests at the Royal opening of UEL's new Business School and Knowledge Dock Centre at Docklands campus by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. They helped UEL art students and young people from local schools create a series of live sketches of the event, which were printed and presented to Her Majesty on the day.
Rolf Harris joins a distinguished group of honorary graduates of the University of East London, which includes Damon Albarn, Harold Pinter, Billy Bragg, Trevor Brooking, Benjamin Zephaniah, Terence Stamp, Rachel Whiteread, Baroness Ashton, Baroness Scotland, Lord Adebowale, Baroness Greenfield, David Lammy MP, Reeta Chakrabarti, Tony Robinson, Honor Blackman, Rita Sharma and Sir Willard White.
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