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16 July 2003
Controller of BBC Two, Jane Root, and controller of BBC Radio 4, Helen Boaden, both alumni of the university, will join more than 1,700 students collecting degrees, diplomas and certificates from the university's chancellor, Lord Attenborough, at the ceremonies, to be held on July 17 and 18 at Brighton's Dome.
Helen Boaden, who originally gained a BA in English in 1979 and will this year be made Doctor of Letters, said: "I am thrilled and honoured to be given this honorary doctorate. I loved my years at the University of Sussex - not just for the wonderful friends and stunning surroundings but because it really challenged my assumptions about everything: books, culture, politics, the world. It was incredibly hard work and very, very interesting. And you can't ask more than that."
Jane Root, who left Sussex in 1980 with a degree in politics and international relations and is also to be made Doctor of Letters, said: 'I feel very honoured and proud to receive this honorary degree. I really enjoyed my time as an undergraduate at Sussex and was drawn to the fantastic range of modern subjects for inquiring minds - plus the smell of sea air of course! Both Helen and I believe we wouldn't be doing our current jobs if it wasn't for Sussex University.'
Also receiving honorary degrees this year are veteran broadcaster Sir Jonathan Miller, who will be made Doctor of Letters, South African freedom fighter Justice Albie Sachs, who will be made Doctor of Laws, director of the National Portrait Gallery Charles Saumarez Smith, who will receive the award of Doctor of Letters, and Nobel Prize winner for economics Professor Amartya Sen, who will be made Doctor of Science.
Notes for editors
Ceremonies for both days begin at 10.15am and 3.15pm. Helen Boaden and Jane Root will be attending the afternoon ceremony on July 18. Sir Jonathan Miller will attend the morning ceremony on July 18
Press Office contacts: Jacqui Bealing or Peter Simmons, University of Sussex,
Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk or P.J.Simmons@sussex.ac.uk.
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