Sheffield-born Hollywood star Dominic West to receive honorary degree from city university

Sheffield-born TV and film star Dominic West is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield tomorrow.
Sheffield born actor Dominic West.Sheffield born actor Dominic West.
Sheffield born actor Dominic West.

Dominic, star of hit US drama series The Wire, will be back on home soil for the ceremony tomorrow afternoon when he will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his acting work.

The award-winning actor is one of 11 esteemed recipients to receive an honorary degree from the University this week.

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The Sheffield-born actor has played a number of roles, with his portrayal of Jimmy McNulty in the HBO drama series The Wire earning him praise from around the globe.

He won the Best Actor BAFTA in 2012 for his portrayal of serial killer Fred West in the television programme Appropriate Adult, and has been nominated for two Golden Globes for his performances in The Affair and The Hour.

Dominic was born and brought up in Sheffield, where his family still lives and went to Westbourne School in Broomhill, then Eton College.

He remains a supporter of Sheffield Theatres appearing at the Crucible on a number of occasions to glowing reviews.

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Meanwhile, Professor Sarah Springman, acclaimed for her ground-breaking work in both experiments and modelling for geotechnical engineering, is among the others who will also receive honours during the University of Sheffield’s graduation week, alongside more than 5,200 talented students.

Professor Springman, whose work focuses on centrifuge modelling and the engineering aspects of alpine permafrost, is Rector of STEM University ETH Zurich and is an advocate for removing barriers for women entering academia, science and engineering.

She is also an elite triathlete who has served in the sport’s administration at the highest level.

Also receiving an honorary degree is Dr Brian Gilvary, the Chief Financial Officer and Board Director of BP plc. With over 30 years working in the energy sector, he is also a Non-executive Director of Air Liquide and the Navy Board.

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Dr Gilvary is a graduate of the University of Sheffield (BSc Mathematics 1980), and also an international triathlete, having competed for Great Britain at the last three World Finals.

Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. A University of Sheffield graduate, Andy was identified by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014.

Also honoured is Dr Joe Kavanagh. He will be receiving the Professor Robert Boucher Distinguished Alumni Award, in recognition of his tireless work to restore, maintain and improve the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, a Grade II listed English Heritage site of special historic and architectural interest.

Professor Neil Rackham, will also be admitted to the University of Sheffield’s Roll of Benefactors. An experimental psychologist with an international reputation who has applied his research to many areas of business development, Professor Rackham has been a generous supporter of many areas of the University.