University of Sheffield Degree

Last Update: 12 August 2007


 
 
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From the University of Sheffield

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Sean Bean a double Don Valley Don
Friday, 20 July 2007

Source: BBC
 

Sean Bean became a Doctor of Letters at Sheffield University
Tough guy actor Sean Bean returned to his South Yorkshire roots on Friday
to give his backing to a local hospital appeal and receive an honorary degree.
 
Bean, who starred in The Lord Of The Rings, launched the Sheffield Leukaemia
and Blood Disorders Appeal.
 
The actor then joined hundreds of graduates who received their degrees from
Sheffield University.
 
Bean said he was proud to receive the honour - the second time he has been
awarded a doctorate in Sheffield.
 
Wearing a red gown and surrounded by graduates he attracted plenty of attention
at the graduation ceremony.
 
His honorary doctorate at Sheffield University was not his first brush with academia.
 
"I did get a doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University about 11 or 12 years ago
so now I'm a double doctor.
 
"But this was wonderful, especially from my home city."
 
Earlier in the day his challenge was to turn gardener in the grounds of the Royal
Hallamshire Hospital where he helped plant a tree marking the launch of a fundraising
appeal to equip a new leukaemia ward at the hospital.
 
"My father spent some time here a few weeks ago and so it has an extra interest for
me as well," he said.
 
*************
 
'Special' honour for city's famous son
Source: Yorkshire Post
21 July 2007
By Anna Smith
 
 
Picture Chris Lawton.

HOLLYWOOD film star Sean Bean returned to his home city yesterday to receive
an honorary degree from Sheffield University.

The honour recognised both his achievements as an actor and his commitment to
the city.
 
Mr Bean said: "It was a great occasion and I feel very privileged to be here
amongst all the other graduates, who have done it the hard way. The fact it's
here in Sheffield means more to me than anywhere else – it's better than Cambridge,
isn't it?
 
"When I were a 15-year-old lad at Brook school, I never expected that one day
I'd be here receiving this degree. It makes life extra special."
 
The 48-year-old was set to become a welder at his father's workshop in Sheffield
before discovering acting while studying art at Rotherham College. He went on
to win a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before making his
professional debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.
 
Just a few hours before receiving his Doctor of Letters, he attended a tree
planting at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to back an appeal to raise money
for a new leukaemia and blood disorders ward.
 
 
*************
 
University honours local lad Sean
Source: University of Sheffield
20 July 2007

Sheffield actor Sean Bean returned to the city today, to receive an honorary degree
from the University of Sheffield. His achievements as an actor, and his ongoing
commitment to the city of Sheffield, were recognised in front of a degree
congregation which contained several members of his Sheffield-based family.
 
"It´s a great honour to be given this degree by the University of Sheffield,
especially in my home city," said Sean. "The fact it´s here in Sheffield means
more to me than anywhere else."
 
The now Doctor of Letters enjoyed his moment of academic glory, taking to the
stage to collect his degree from Chancellor Sir Peter Middleton. "The ceremony
was very good, a very interesting experience and a wonderful occasion, with all
my family and friends there," said Sean. "It was a great oration and I feel very
privileged to be here amongst all the other graduates, who gave me an excellent
reception and have got their degrees the hard way!"
 
One of Britain´s best-loved and most in-demand actors, Sean was set to
become a welder at his father´s workshop in Sheffield before discovering
acting while attending an art course at Rotherham College. He went on to
win a scholarship to study at RADA before making his professional debut
as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. Receiving an honorary degree from the
University was something that Sean says he never expected as a child
growing up in the Handsworth area of Sheffield, adding that receiving the
degree "makes his life extra special".
 
Since his debut, Sean has become best known in the UK for his role as
Richard Sharpe in the television adaptations of the Bernard Cornwell novels.
He achieved worldwide fame for his roles in big-budget movies Troy,
Goldeneye and as Boromir in Lord of the Rings.
 
But, despite spending a large amount of time away filming on location,
Sean clearly enjoys coming back to Sheffield from his home in North London.
 
He opened the Osteoporosis Centre at Sheffield´s Northern General Hospital
in 1998 and has been a lifelong supporter of Sheffield United Football Club,
joining the Board of Directors in 2002. He even reckons that the doomed
Tinsley Cooling Towers should be painted red, black and white, in tribute to the
club.
 
He said: "I try to get back to Sheffield as I often as I can. I like to get back;
it´s healthy and good for the mind. This city raised me and I´m very proud of
that. It´s a cliché, but true, it´s keeps your feet on the ground."
 
"Sheffield will always have a special place in my heart," he added.
 
And judging by the hordes of fans who gathered to watch Sean´s photo call
outside the University, he will always have a special place in Sheffield´s heart.
 
*********
 
Actor Sean Bean to receive honorary degree
Source: University of Sheffield
Internationally acclaimed actor Sean Bean will return to Sheffield this month
to receive an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield. Sean´s
achievements as an actor and his ongoing commitment to the City of
Sheffield will be recognised in the degree ceremony on Friday 20 July 2007,
when he will be become a Doctor of Letters.
 
One of Britain´s best-loved and most in-demand actors, he was set to
become a welder at his father´s workshop in Sheffield before discovering
acting while attending an art course at Rotherham College. He went on to
win a scholarship to study at RADA before making his professional debut
as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.
 
Sean has played leading roles in a number of popular television series
and dramatisations of classic novels, but is now best known for his roles
in big-budget films such as Troy, National Treasure and Lord of the Rings.
He opened the Osteoporosis Centre at Sheffield´s Northern General
Hospital in 1998 and has been a lifelong supporter of Sheffield United
Football Club, joining the Board of Directors in 2002.
 
 
Date and time of award ceremony:
Friday 20 July 2007 at 12 noon
Mr Sean Bean – LittD (Doctor of Letters)
 
---------------------
 
Sean was originally scheduled to receive his honorary LittD, Arts from the
University of Sheffield on July 20, 2006. However, due to filming
commitments, this was delayed.
 
According to a friend, "This will mean a lot to Sean, as Sheffield
is very dear to his heart. Despite his rough-and-ready image he's
secretly quite an arty person, who is keen on self-improvement and
reads the likes of Oscar Wilde. He also has several Shakespeare roles
under his belt, including Romeo and Macbeth."

You can find more information about the University of Sheffield's Award
Ceremonies here. You can read the entire press release about Sean's
award here.

 

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