The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray was more rock and robe than rock ‘n’ roll yesterday when he received an honorary doctorate from Salford University.
Liam, from Middleton in north Manchester, established his connection with the university 11 years ago while studying as an economics and then creative writing student.
However, as his band began to take off and global musical success beckoned, Liam left University in his second year to pursue his dream career.
Since then The Courteeners have exploded on to the music scene and gained a national and international fan-base.
All four of the band’s studio albums have broken into the top ten of the album chart, and their most recent creation ‘Concrete Love’ reached their highest chart position yet at number three.
Last month The Courteeners played their biggest headline gig so far in Manchester’s Heaton Park, performing to 25,000 people. They’ve also clocked up a number of big festival spots this year including Glastonbury.
WHAT’S UP DOC! Fray being presented with his Honorary Doctorate by Vice Chancellor Prof Helen Marshall.
Liam said: “It’s so very humbling, and somewhat surreal, to be thought of and awarded a Doctorate of Arts by Salford University.
“When I left my Creative Writing course to dedicate more time to writing music, I never imagined I’d be coming back for something like this so soon.
“I feel like I’m accepting on behalf of all our fans, so massive love to all of them. And of course, kudos to Salford University for recognising such talent.”
Cheers for stopping (and being so nice about it) @What_Liam_Said and congrats on your doctorate !!!! pic.twitter.com/W3rfzm1BxZ
— mads (@madeleinehealey) July 15, 2015
Also being honoured in the graduation ceremonies, which have been held at The Lowry in Salford Quays all week, are a number of individuals who have each made an impressive contribution to their respective fields.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall said that each of the honorary graduates ‘deserves the recognition they are rightly receiving from the University’.
She also said: “They serve as inspirations to our students, graduates and the community. We are very proud of them.”
One of these individuals, honoured earlier in the week, was Professor Erika Denton, National clinical director for diagnostics at NHS England.
She was awarded a Science doctorate for her achievements at the Department of Health and contribution to research at the University of Salford.
Another honorary graduate is Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England, who will be made a Doctor of Arts in recognition of his contribution across the broadcasting and media sector.
Humanitarian and expert surgeon Dr David Nott was also recognised for his remarkable voluntary humanitarian work in conflict zones.
@What_Liam_Said Dr Fray pic.twitter.com/I6aTvnlSNk
— Mike Burrows (@MikeyBUK) July 15, 2015
And Alan Henning, the inspirational aid volunteer who was killed while providing humanitarian relief in Syria has also been honoured with a posthumous Doctorate from the University on Monday.
Alan, a former taxi driver, was a proud son of Eccles and Salford and described by those who knew him as a kind, caring and selfless man.
Volunteering as an ambulance driver for ‘Rochdale Aid 4 Syria’, in December 2013 Alan was captured and later killed during ISIL’s occupation of the Syrian city of Al-Dana.
Alan Henning’s wife, Barbara, said: “On behalf of the family I would like to thank the University of Salford for honouring Alan in this way.
“We are extremely proud of him and hope that he will always be remembered as the kind, caring person he was, who made a decision to go and help those less fortunate, and whose life was taken because of that decision.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall added: “The values that Alan stood for and embodied, in his efforts to help the world’s most vulnerable people, are the values of Salford and of our University.
“Today we celebrate Alan’s work, he will be remembered with pride by all Salfordians.”
