Achievements of almost 3,000 graduates and four influential figures to be celebrated during Kingston University ceremonies

The latest cohort of Kingston University graduates is set to celebrate their achievements in front of thousands of proud family, friends, academic staff and special guests during the University's winter graduation ceremonies.

Just under 3,000 students will graduate across 17 ceremonies between 21 and 28 January at the Rose Theatre in the centre of Kingston upon Thames. Undergraduate and postgraduate students from Kingston School of Art, the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment and the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences will be collecting their degrees, joined by 40 PhD candidates also crossing the stage to receive their awards.

The ceremonies will also see four influential figures recognised for outstanding contributions made in their respective fields as they are bestowed with honorary doctorates.

Award-winning author Phil Stamper, whose debut novel The Gravity of Us was chosen as Kingston University's 2022 Big Read, is being recognised for his contribution to literature, publishing and reading pleasure. Phil is an alumnus of Kingston University, having graduated with an MA in Publishing with Creative Writing in 2014.

John Godden MBE, CEO of leading UK residential healthcare provider Salutem Care & Education, is being honoured for 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. Under his leadership Salutem Care & Education has awarded scholarships to learning disability nursing, social work, accounting and finance, and psychology students studying at Kingston.

Also being honoured is Ed Vainker OBE, Managing Director of the Reach Foundation and co-founder and former Principal of Reach Academy, Feltham. His charity, which supports cradle-to-career models of education, has worked in partnership with Kingston University to launch a foundation degree in early years and in special educational needs (SEND). Mr Vainker is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to transforming the education and life chances of young people and the communities they live in.

The fourth honorary doctorate is awarded to Stewart O'Callaghan, award-winning founder and CEO of OUTpatients, the UK's LGBTIQ+ cancer charity. Stewart was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer when they were 29 and noticed the lack of LGBTIQ+ information and support available at various hospitals during treatment, which led them to establish the charity. Stewart is being recognised for their outstanding contribution to the field of oncology.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier congratulated the graduating students for their hard work and thanked the University colleagues who had supported them during their studies. "Our students show great commitment and dedication over the course of their studies and have truly earned their degrees. It is always a proud moment to see so many of our students go on to be sought after in their careers and making an impact in their chosen fields – I'm sure the same will happen with our latest cohort of graduates," he said.

• Find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Kingston University.
• Read more about graduations at Kingston University.