THE CEREMONY | 11
The Ceremony
All graduands and guests should
be seated 15 minutes prior to the
beginning of the ceremony. We regret
that we cannot allow access to the hall
once the ceremony has started. The Chancellor
The Chancellor of Keele University is The Hon.
Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE, an environmentalist and
writer known for his advocacy of the Green Party
of England and Wales. Jonathon frequently contributes
to magazines, newspapers and books, and appears
on radio and television.
The ceremony opens
Once graduands and guests are seated, the Procession
enters the hall, whereupon the assembly should rise
and remain standing until the Conferrer invites guests
to be seated. For the conferment of degrees, graduands are
presented to the Conferrer in the following order:
Honorary Degrees, Higher Degrees, First Degrees,
Diplomas and Certificates. Recipients are presented
by the Dean of Faculty. Graduands – as you cross the
front of the Chapel, you will be met by the Chancellor,
Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Conferrer)
of the University, who will confer your degree.
The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor or Deputy
Vice-Chancellor will declare the ceremony open and
proceed to the conferral of degrees and other awards,
beginning with the conferral of honorary degrees,
and deliver their opening address.
The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor or Deputy
Vice-Chancellor confers awards on all graduands who
are present on the day, and then on those candidates
who are unable to be present. The ceremony ends when
the Conferrer declares the ceremony closed.
The congregation is asked to rise when the music begins,
and to remain standing while the Academic and Graduate
Processions leave the Chapel.