University of Suffolk reveals 2024’s honorary degrees, including Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, Michael Read MBE and Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and an Olympic swimmer are among those who will receive honorary degrees from the University of Suffolk this year.

Having brought the Tractor Boys back into the Premier League for the first time in two decades after back-to-back promotions, McKenna will be handed an honorary doctorate when the class of 2024 celebrate their graduations in October.

Joining him will be Boshor Ali, chairman of BSC Multicultural Services; historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch; long-distance swimmer Michael Read and David Croisdale-Appleby, chairman of Healthwatch England and of the Royal College of Physicians.

Honorary graduates in past years included Framlingham superstar Ed Sheeran, Nik Kershaw, comedienne Jo Brand and Mark Murphy.

Mr McKenna said getting an honorary doctorate was a proud moment for both him and his family.

“Suffolk has become a special place for us since we moved here nearly three years ago and to now receive a gesture like this from an institution so central to life in the county is an incredible honour,” he said.

“We are proud of everything we have been able to achieve at the football club over the last few years and underpinning our successes has been a strong culture, built on the hard work of so many people and continued learning.

“To have been able to bring joy to so many people in Ipswich and Suffolk over the course of the last two seasons has been extremely rewarding, with the celebrations following both of our promotions showing the strong sense of community surrounding the club, which we are proud to be a part of.”

Mr Ali, who will receive an honorary degree, helped found BSC Multicultural Services (BCSMS).

Over his more than 25 year career, he has worked tirelessly to ensure the Bangladeshi community has a role in Suffolk life.

Born in 1971, he completed secondary education in Ipswich.

Mr Ali said he was honoured to be receiving the award.

He thanked his colleagues at BCSMS, who worked hard to ensure it maintains its vision for the community.

He added: “I am passionate about the removal of inequality as the result of poverty and exclusion, especially in health issues and through education.

“My strongest wish is that this award will strengthen my ability to promote partnership for the continuation of the vital role played by BSC Multicultural Services throughout Suffolk.”

Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, who was brought up in Wetherden, has had an illustrious career as a historian, author and television presenter.

He spent 1969 to 1978 at Churchill College, Cambridge, with 1972 to 1973 at the University of Liverpool For his doctorate he studied under Tudor historian Sir Geoffrey Elton.

In addition, he is now Professor Emeritus of the History of the Church at Oxford, a Fellow of St Cross College, Oxford, and senior research fellow of Campion Hall, Oxford.

He said: “I’m delighted and feel honoured by this award by the University of Suffolk, that has in a short span already contributed so much to the life of this county that was my childhood home; not least in promoting the study of history both local and worldwide.”

Michael Read currently holds the world record for the number of swims across the English Channel, with 33.

He also represented Great Britain in swimming at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

For the past 50 years, he has dedicated his life to supporting the Ipswich area and has lent his voice towards the restoration of Broomhill Lido, where he trained for 27 years.

“One of my greatest regrets in life was having to settle for a master’s degree rather than staying on at university for an extra year for a Ph.D,” Mr Read said.

“This wonderful award goes to show that if you live long enough, everything is possible.”

Finally, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby has dedicated his life to social justice and improving the lives of the disadvantaged.

During his career, he has chaired at least 20 organisations across a number of fields such as forensic science, health policy and practice, law and social care and has held 14 ministerial positions in the UK and abroad.

However, he began his career in the private sector in the UK, southern Africa and the USA.

Professor Croisdale-Appleby described it as an honour to receive an honorary degree.

He also said he was proud of his association with ‘such an innovative and imaginative university’ which ‘grows from strength to strength’.

Professor Croisdale-Appleby added: “It has become a major driver of economic growth in Suffolk and the whole of East Anglia.

“But it is even more than that – its contribution to the cultural life of the region has been immense.

“The impact of its multi-faceted research is delivered through the highly socially relevant research institutes such as digital futures, health and wellbeing, social justice and crime.”

Jenny Higham, vice-chancellor for the University of Suffolk, congratulated this year’s graduates.

She added: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming those we are honouring, and we celebrate alongside our graduating students. We are proud to mark their many individual achievements and what they mean to the county of Suffolk.”