Britain’s most successful female Olympian and the former director-general of MI5 were among Dundee University’s Doctor of Law honorary graduates.
Five-time Olympic medallist Katherine Grainger was handed the accolade for her services to sport and charity, while security agency chief Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller was recognised for her work with biomedical research charity, the Wellcome Trust.
In March, Grainger was made a Dame Commander by the Queen in recognition of her outstanding career, which includes winning four silvers and one gold in the last five Olympic Games.
The rower can now add Doctor of Law to the extensive list of titles she has been awarded, with the 41-year-old already having achieved Masters and Bachelors degrees in Law.
The Glasgow-born star has contributed hugely to improving access to sport, play, and physical exercise for low and middle income families around the world.
Speaking at Thursday’s ceremony, she said: “It’s really lovely to be back in Dundee.
“I spent time growing up in both Glasgow and Aberdeen so it was an obvious stopping point for us as a family.
“I have so many happy memories here, especially of getting on board the beautiful Discovery ship docked at the waterfront.
“The city has changed a lot since then. It really is developing into a stunning place. The new V&A museum is coming together too. I find it all very impressive.”
Dame Grainger added that seeing so many students graduate around her brought back memories of her “much loved” student life.
“I must admit I felt sad when receiving my PHD and degrees,” she said.
“I thought it would be the last time I would attend university so it feels nice to be involved in a ceremony like this again.
“Time at university is just such a lovely period in life and I honestly feel the same as all of them today.
“Since Rio in September I’ve been busy doing charity stuff for various organisations I work for in sport alongside TV appearances for the BBC.
“I’ve just been given a new job as chair at UK Sport too which is huge for me.
“It’s obviously an exciting time to be involved in the behind-the-scenes aspect of sport in the UK and the big challenge will be to continue the success we have seen recently.”
The former chief of the UK Government’s security agency Eliza Manningham-Buller, whose mother was born and raised in the Fife village of Colinsburgh, said she was proud of her role on the board of the Wellcome Trust, which she described as an “extraordinary charity”.
The trust recently handed over £7.9 million to the university to fund disease research, which is the charity’s main focus.
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, Tim Eicke QC, who graduated from the University with a degree in Scots and English law in 1992, also received the award.
