• Skip to navigation
  • Skip to content
Ulster University logo Return to Ulster University homepage
  • Global students – Resources for Ulster University International Students
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Student Guide - The Student Guide to Ulster
  • Portal - for Ulster University
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • News – for Ulster University
  • Events – for Ulster University
  • Home - Ulster University website homepage
  • Study at Ulster University

    Study options

    • Study in Northern Ireland
    • Undergraduate study options
    • Postgraduate study options
    • Postgraduate Research/ PhD
    • Short courses and CPD
    • Part-time Undergraduate study options
    • Part-time study options
    • eLearning study at Ulster University

    Courses

    • Search for courses
    • A to Z 2023/24
    • A to Z 2022/23

    More information

    • Entrance requirements
    • Equivalence of qualifications
    • Your rights and obligations
    • International students
    • Further education students
    • Associate students
  • Campus Life at Ulster University

    Campus Life

    • Campuses
    • Accommodation - Residential Services
    • Sport Services
    • Students' Union UUSU
    • All Ulster University Events

    Support

    • Student Guide
    • Student Wellbeing
    • Digital Services
    • Library

    Careers and Opportunities

    • Employability and Careers
    • Go Global
    • Science Shop
    • Student Enterprise
  • Research & Impact

    Research & Impact

    • Our research
    • Collaboration and Innovation
    • Work with us
    • Our Research Topics
    • Our Research Teams

    PhD/Research degrees

    • Funded & Self Funded PhDs
    • Postgraduate Research Programmes
    • How to apply for PhD Research
    • Funding for Phd's
    • Contact the Doctoral College

    More information

    • PURE - research portal
    • REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
    • Policies and Procedures
  • Business themed areas of Ulster University

    Work with Us

    • Recruit top talent
    • Business School student placements
    • Scholarships, sponsorships and corporate giving
    • Upskill courses by Sector

    Business Engagement

    • Build a course
    • Executive Education Courses
    • Apprenticeship Hub
    • Business leader Peer Mentoring
    • Postgraduate short courses

    Research Expertise

    • Work with us
    • Funding opportunities
    • Innovation Ulster Ltd
    • Case studies
    • Meet the team

    Further Information

    • Market information
    • Hire one of our venues
  • Graduates of Ulster University
  • Home - Go to homepage
  • Study Options at Ulster University
  • Find a course at Ulster University
  • Campus Life
  • Research & Impact at Ulster University
  • Business at Ulster University
  • Graduates - find out about Alumni and Supporters at Ulster University
  • Global Students – become part of our global community at Ulster University

  • Student Guide
  • Staff Links – Resources for Ulster University staff
  • Find staff & Departments – search and browse Ulster’s staff directory
  • Portal – customise and access your online services

  •   Twitter account for Ulster University
  •   Facebook account for Ulster University
  •   YouTube account for Ulster University
Ulster University
  • Search
  • Link for Ulster University
  • Link for News
  • Link for 2022
  • Link for June

Ulster University recognises key figures in this year’s honorary graduates

Key figures from across health, sport, business, property and local government will be recognised by Ulster University as this year’s honorary graduates.

16 June 2022
Share Article: Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn

Key figures from across health, sport, business, property and local government in Northern Ireland will be recognised by Ulster University as this year’s honorary graduates.

One of the eight honorary graduates is being recognised for the important role they have played in response to the COVID-19 pandemic - Dr Patricia Donnelly led the successful roll-out of the Northern Ireland COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

Leading figure in the business community, Jackie Henry, is being recognised for the key role she has played in the economic prosperity and growth of Northern Ireland, and also for her advocacy of diversity, inclusion and social mobility, particularly in building skills and providing access to education. Patrick McKillen’s inspirational career in property development and hospitality, together with his role in promoting peace and reconciliation across Ireland, will also be recognised among this year’s honorary graduates.

For the role he has played over the decades in promoting peace and reconciliation within Derry-Londonderry and across Northern Ireland, together with his key role in welcoming our new university students to the city, Jim Roddy will be conferred as an honorary Ulster University graduate.

Outstanding sporting achievements are also being celebrated this year - Dr Karen Weekes will be conferred in recognition of her solo crossing of the Atlantic, together with the significant role she has played in promoting the UN sustainable goals of gender equality and ocean conservation.

The University will be conferring Agnes Lunny for the significant advocacy role she has played at the highest level of government to secure investment in social care reform, together with her inspirational leadership role in the establishment and success of the Positive Futures charitable organisation. We are also recognising the exceptional contribution and leadership that has been demonstrated by Jenny Pyper, as both Interim Head of the Civil Service and Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland.

In addition, John Shiels, Chief Executive of Manchester United Foundation, will also be conferred in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the personal development of young people through education, sport and community engagement.

Congratulating the recipients, Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew said:

As we look forward to welcoming our graduates and their families to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2022, I am delighted to announce this year’s cohort of honorary graduates who have made outstanding contributions in their fields of expertise, and who we hope will serve as positive role models to the many thousands of students we welcome through our doors each year.

It is right we take time this year to reflect and recognise the resilience and determination shown by our students, staff, and our partners, as we face the challenges of emerging from the global pandemic and adapting to a changed learning landscape. It is as important as ever for us at Ulster University to recognise the breadth of talents of those who have made a significant impact on our society.

This year, we’re celebrating people who have truly played their part in supporting people from across Northern Ireland – whether that’s by directly supporting the public through the response to COVID-19 and vaccination roll-out, or those who have spent their careers creating economic prosperity and improving social mobility, promoting peace and reconciliation, achieving sporting excellence and using their platform to promote sustainability and gender equality, and those who have devoted their lives to public service and local government.

Our graduates have worked hard over the last couple of difficult years to complete their studies and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to go out and make a difference themselves; closing one chapter to begin the next. This year’s honorary graduates and their demonstration of hard work, determination, integrity, leadership and public service have created a blueprint that I am sure will continue to inspire the Class of 2022, and us all.


Related news

  1. Fri 01 Jul 2022

    Celebrate the Launch of ‘The Songs of Sam Henry’ Album by local musician and PhD Researcher

  2. Fri 01 Jul 2022

    Careers Teachers’ Summit 2022 welcomes 100 delegates to the Magee campus

  3. Thu 30 Jun 2022

    Ulster University supports Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Conference for UK Business Educators

  4. Thu 30 Jun 2022

    The 120 miles a day uni roundtrip that led to a dream research job in the USA

Elsewhere on Ulster

Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences

Ulster University Business School- Faculty

Courses & Research

  • Search for courses
  • Undergraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Postgraduate courses at Ulster University
  • Part-time courses at Ulster University
  • Short courses & CPD at Ulster University
  • Study online at Ulster University
  • Research & Impact
  • Doctoral College
  • PURE

Campus locations

  • Belfast campus
  • Coleraine campus
  • Jordanstown campus
  • Magee campus
  • London and Birmingham
  • Qatar

Campus facilities

  • Residential Services / Accommodation
  • Sports Services - Memberships and Facilities
  • Library Services and resources supporting learning, teaching and research at the University

About The University

  • About Ulster University
  • Contact Details
  • Job opportunities
  • Key calendar dates
  • Faculties
  • News - Ulster University
  • Events - Ulster University

Other sites

  • Alumni & Supporters
  • Confucius Institute
  • Get advice from Employability and Careers
  • Finance Department
  • Flexible Education
  • Digital Services - computing, digital and media services
  • People & Culture
  • Student Wellbeing
  • Sustainability

Ulster University social

@StudyAtUlster Follow us on Twitter @UlsterUni Follow us on Twitter
/studyatulster /ulsteruniversity
/StudyAtUlster /UlsterUniversity
/ulsteruni
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statements
  • Copyright
  • Freedom of Information
  • Modern Slavery Statement

© Copyright Ulster University 2022.

Ulster University is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC100166).