The lead singer of Snow Patrol has thanked Dundee University after the institution announced it would hand him an honorary degree.
Gary Lightbody is one of ten prominent figures being recognised by his alma mater later this month as thousands of students graduate.
Snow Patrol began life when the Northern Irishman linked up with Michael Morrison and Mark McClelland while attending Dundee University in the 1990s.
During Lightbody’s time in Dundee, he also met the band’s future keyboardist Tom Simpson, who is from the city.
Growing in popularity in the late-1990s, the band relocated to Glasgow and went on to sell millions of albums worldwide.
Posting to his Twitter account after the news of his honorary doctorate was revealed, Lightbody said: “My old alma mater is giving me an honorary doctorate later this month. Thank you @dundeeuni.
V&A architect among this year’s Dundee University honorary graduates
“Snow Patrol began there and I met the awesome Tom Simpson there so I owe the place a lot. I should be giving you an honorary doctorate but I can’t as I’m not a university.”
My old alma mater is giving me an honorary doctorate later this month. Thank you @dundeeuni. Snow Patrol began there and I met the awesome Tom Simpson there so I owe the place a lot. I should be giving you an honorary doctorate but I can’t as I’m not a university. https://t.co/HhjAGGavUk
— gary lightbody (@garysnowpatrol) June 4, 2018
We can't wait! ??
— University of Dundee (@dundeeuni) June 5, 2018
We're looking forward to welcoming you back! From the whole Alumni team
— Cara Longmuir (@caralongmuir) June 5, 2018
Some have called for Lightbody to play the graduation ball.
Would absolutely love you to play pur GradBall @dusa_theunion
— Sean O'Connor (@spoc1996) June 4, 2018
Still one of the best bands to come out of Dundee (respectfully sitting behind Average White Band, of course hah). Well done squire, nice to see you still getting recognised 🙂
— Tirwin Bass (@Tirwin) June 5, 2018
Congratulations Gary. Here's a snap from that very first gig in December 1994 pic.twitter.com/3WygKWQ1oh
— Michael Morrison (@Mike325) June 5, 2018
Kengo Kuma, the architect behind the V&A, is also being handed an honorary doctorate by the university.
