Caroline Lehany, former Head of Graduation and Corporate Events, was awarded a University of Sussex Fellowship during the final ceremony of Summer graduation on Friday 25 July. The accolade recognises Caroline’s unwavering commitment, leadership, and longstanding dedication to the Sussex community, which has been exemplary throughout her long and impactful career. 

Caroline, who left the University at the end of July, received the Fellowship during the final graduation ceremony she led at Sussex.  

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said during the ceremony: “We have been so deeply fortunate at Sussex to have benefited from Caroline’s commitment to the University for so many years, and for that we are profoundly grateful.” 

Having worked at the University since the 1980s, she has been the mastermind behind our warmth, inclusive, and flawless graduation ceremonies for almost 30 years.  

Caroline has also led the most memorable and significant events for the University, including: the installation of two Chancellors - Lord Attenborough and Sanjeev Bhaskar; our first graduations in China; the University’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations; and the grand reopening of the Attenborough Centre. At every event, Caroline has placed guests at the heart of the planning, ensuring each occasion is meaningful and leaves a lasting impression. 

Her contributions extended beyond the Sussex community. Caroline led an award-winning team, whose excellence was recognised with a Best of Europe Region CASE Award for the University’s Holocaust Memorial Day last year. In addition, during the pandemic, she took the operational leadership of the University’s Covid testing centre, earning further institutional and external recognition. 

Check out this video from the graduation ceremony where Caroline received her Fellowship, created by the team at Media Technology Lab (MTL).

Find out how to nominate someone for a Fellowship in recognition of their longstanding and exceptional contributions to the University.