Kingston University graduation ceremonies celebrate new graduates and distinguished honorary degree recipients

With the stage set for an unforgettable celebration, Kingston University's winter graduation ceremonies honoured close to 3,000 new graduates alongside four trailblazing figures awarded honorary doctorates for their exceptional contributions to society.

Best-selling author Phil Stamper, Salutem Care & Education CEO John Godden MBE, Managing Director of the Reach Foundation Ed Vainker OBE, and founder and CEO of OUTpatients Stewart O'Callaghan were awarded honorary doctorates during the week of ceremonies at Kingston's Rose Theatre, where they addressed the graduates and their guests with specially written speeches in response to the awards.

Phil Stamper had previously visited the Rose Theatre during his induction to the University as an international student, graduating with a publishing with creative writing masters degree in 2014. Due to work commitments, he was unable to attend his own graduation ceremony and said it was wonderful to be able to come back to Kingston and celebrate, particularly as his history with Kingston was extended following his novel The Gravity of Us being selected as the seventh Kingston University Big Read.

Awarded Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition for his contribution to literature, publishing and reading pleasure, Mr Stamper has become a prominent figure in the publishing world, currently Director of Author Development at Penguin Random House in New York, where he champions authors and advocates for the freedom to read. Alongside this, he is the author of six novels for young adults.

Mr Stamper said his career had allowed him to build a space where authors could obtain the information they need to publish their books and feel supported by their publishers. He advised the graduates to dream big. "When I started writing it was impossible to think I could have a book in Waterstones or Barnes and Noble," he said. "However, if I didn't truly believe I could, I would have never done anything – in your career you have to believe in yourself, even if it feels delusional, because that will get you where you need to go.

CEO of Salutem Care & Education John Godden MBE was awarded of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to collaboration and innovation in the provision of care and education to people with complex needs, and the development and employability of Kingston University students.

Established in 2016 Salutem Care & Education has a mission to create a culture of excellence in residential healthcare for individuals with complex needs. With a background in finance, including senior roles at HFR Asset Management, Barclays Capital, and BNP Paribas, he has built a strong, stable environment for both care delivery and employee development and was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his exceptional commitment to social care.

Mr Godden implored the students to use their degrees to build a platform to do more, enabling them to further their careers. "My company and Kingston University have established a wonderfully collaborative multi-level relationship over the last few years," he said. "We have worked on joint ventures using technology to improve the lives of the people we support in our care services and been heavily involved in Kingston's Future Skills programme but I am most proud of how we support students through their studies through our scholarship programme.

The third honorary degree was conferred on to Managing Director of the Reach Foundation and the co-founder and former Principal of Reach Academy Feltham Ed Vainker OBE - awarded Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to transforming the education and life chances of young people and their communities.

Mr Vainker has pioneered a cradle-to-career model, focused on schools playing an active role in their communities. Through its partnership with Kingston University, Reach has launched foundation degrees in Early Years and SEND, and has worked nationally to support schools in developing locally rooted educational models.

"Our partnership with Kingston University has been really important in supporting pupils in our school Reach Academy, while enabling us to think about the wider workforce and how we can help make sure schools and organisations that work with young people in Feltham have the best possible staff," he explained. "We've been running foundation degrees with the University in early years and special education needs, it means there are classrooms all over Feltham filled with Kingston University graduates doing amazing jobs.

The final recipient of the week to pick up an award was Stewart O'Callaghan, Founder and CEO of OUTpatients, the UK's LGBTIQ+ cancer charity, who was awarded Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the field of oncology. O'Callaghan created the organisation after experiencing a lack of support for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer. Since its founding in 2020, OUTpatients has provided peer support across the UK, trained thousands of healthcare professionals, and influenced national and international cancer care guidelines for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Having previously been involved in academic research O'Callaghan said it was invigorating to return to an environment they had missed for a long time and they were inspired by watching the graduates collect their awards. "OUTpatients started from my own experience going through services, feeling alone and unsupported, but the more I spoke to people, the more diverse stories I heard in which they had experienced it worse," they said. "The charity is changing peoples' lives, making sure they feel seen and heard, but also getting the best medical care they need. I'm really proud of what we do and how we are changing the topic in healthcare at large."

Kingston University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier, said their work has made a lasting impact on their respective fields and communities. "The four recipients embody our values of inclusivity, innovation, ambition and enterprise, alongside a commitment to making a positive difference. We are proud to welcome them into the Kingston University family and look forward to the continued inspiration they deliver to future generations," he said.

• Find out more about graduations at Kingston University.
• Find out more about alumni opportunities.