Courteeners’ frontman and songwriter Liam Fray is set to don his graduation gown after the University of Salford decided to award him an Honorary Doctorate of Arts as part of the university’s July graduation ceremonies.
11 years ago Liam, from Middleton in north Manchester, was studying Economics and then Creative Writing at the University of Salford. However as global musical success beckoned he left the University to pursue his dream career.
Since then Liam and the Courteeners have exploded on to the music scene, both in the UK and internationally. Their latest album achieved their highest chart position to date with a number three hit, the band’s fourth top ten album chart success. Last month the Courteeners played to 25,000 fans in Manchester’s Heaton Park, a show which sold out in just 40 minutes, before going on to play a number of major global festivals including Glastonbury and V Festival.
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.”
Liam Fray will be awarded his doctorate at the Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday 15 July.
At the graduation ceremonies, held at The Lowry in Salford Quays from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 July, the University has also decided to honour several other people in acknowledgement of impressive contributions in their respective fields.
Earlier in the week, NHS England National clinical director for diagnostics Professor Erika Denton was awarded a Science doctorate for her outstanding achievements at the Department of Health and her contribution to research at the University of Salford. Humanitarian and expert surgeon Dr David Nott was also recognised for his remarkable voluntary humanitarian work in conflict zones. Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England will be made a Doctor of Arts in recognition of his contribution across the broadcasting and media sector on Thursday 16 July.
In addition, Alan Henning, the international aid volunteer who was killed while providing humanitarian relief in Syria was honoured with a posthumous Doctorate from the University on Monday.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall said: “Each of our Honorary Graduates has made an outstanding contribution to their field and deserves the recognition they are rightly receiving from the University. They serve as inspirations to our students, graduates and the community. We are very proud of them.”
