Welcoming our new alumni - Summer Graduation 2024

Following a summer of celebration, we’re delighted to welcome a new cohort of graduates to our global alumni community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2024 and wish you every success in your future endeavours. This is not the end of your Southampton journey, but the next step in a lifelong connection.

If you need to update any of your contact details, please do so here.

Introducing our new Chancellors

Once again, Southampton’s O2 Guildhall and Winchester Cathedral set the stage for this year’s ceremonies. Graduands, cheered on by friends and family, donned their caps and gowns to cross the platforms at these historic venues.

In addition to bidding a fond farewell to the 4,700 faces that made up our Class of 2024, Graduation was an opportunity to welcome two new ones – our incoming University Chancellors. The Rt Hon Justine Greening and Lord Patel of Bradford were officially welcomed as Chancellors at a special ceremony held on Tuesday 23 July.

Ms Greening, who graduated from Southampton with a degree in Business and Accounting in 1990, was an MP from 2005 to 2019, serving as Secretary of State for Education for two years. She’s since been an active campaigner for social mobility and equal opportunity.

Ms Greening said: “The University of Southampton led to so many opportunities and experiences for me as student, so I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chancellor. Inspiring social mobility initiatives such as the Ignite Programme, which provides support for underrepresented students, is making a real difference to people’s lives. Congratulations to all those who are graduating.”

Lord Patel is a patron for the University’s India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development and Chair of the India Business Group. A former social worker, he later worked in academia and government roles relating to health, education and social care.

Lord Patel said: “Graduation is such a special occasion for the students, their families and all the teachers who have helped them along the way. I’m proud to be involved and look forward to many more graduation ceremonies in the future.”

Our Chancellors are the leading ambassadors and formal heads of the University, a position they will hold for the next five years. We look forward to welcoming them to many more graduation ceremonies over that time.

Graduation goes global

The University of Southampton Malaysia proudly celebrated its 2nd graduation ceremony on 20 July 2024, a significant milestone in our institution’s history. 18 graduates received their certificates, marking the official end of their academic journey as bachelor’s students. The event brought together graduates, faculty, families, and distinguished guests to honour the accomplishments of the Class of 2024.

This year’s graduation cohort included students from across the University’s renowned business portfolio, with degrees awarded in BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Business Analytics, BSc Business Entrepreneurship, BSc Business Management and Economics, and BSc Actuarial Science. Each graduate demonstrated exceptional dedication and academic excellence, ready to make impactful contributions to their respective fields.

In addition to the business graduates, the ceremony also celebrated an historic achievement for the School of Computer Science. The first cohort of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science students graduated, hailing a new chapter for the University as it continues to expand its academic offerings and nurture the next generation of technology leaders.

Professor Rebecca Taylor, former Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASEAN) and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Southampton Malaysia, delivered an inspiring address to the graduates. She highlighted the importance of resilience, innovation, and lifelong learning in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.

Today’s graduates have not only excelled academically but have also shown remarkable adaptability and determination,” said Professor Taylor. “As you step into the next phase of your journey, remember that your education has equipped you with the tools to navigate and thrive in a complex world. Embrace the opportunities ahead with confidence and continue to strive for excellence in all your endeavours.

As Southampton continues to grow and evolve globally, the success of our graduates stands as a testament to the University’s dedication to providing a world-class education.

Meet the honorary graduates

We also extend our warmest congratulations to this year’s honorary graduates. These individuals are a key part of our community, inspiring our graduates and sharing their stories. We awarded two honorary degrees at this summer’s graduation, to pioneers of the internet and psychology.

Vinton G Cerf 

Honorary Doctor of Science

Vinton G Cerf is Vice-President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google. He is the co-designer of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the internet. He has served in executive positions at the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers, the Internet Society, MCI, the Corporation for National Research Initiatives, and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

A former Stanford professor and former member of the US National Science Board, he is also the past President of the Association for Computing Machinery and serves in advisory capacities at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Department of Energy, US National Science Foundation, US National Reconnaissance Office and NASA.

He earned his BSc Mathematics at Stanford and MSc Computer Science and PhD Computer Science degrees at UCLA.  He is a member of the US National Academies of Science and Engineering, the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, and the Worshipful Company of Stationers.

Vinton is a recipient of numerous awards for his work, including: the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, US National Medal of Technology, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, the Prince of Asturias Award, the Japan Prize, the Charles Stark Draper Award, the ACM Turing Award, the Marconi Prize and Marconi Lifetime Achievement Award, the IEEE Medal of Honor, the Legion d’Honneur, the VinFutures Grand Prize and the Franklin Medal.

Gerd Gigerenzer

Honorary Doctor of Science

Gerd Gigerenzer, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, is Director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the University of Potsdam, partner of Simply Rational – The Institute for Decisions, and Vice-President of the European Research Council (ERC).

He is a former professor of psychology at the University of Chicago and John M Olin Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Law at the University of Virginia.

In addition, he is a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, the German Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Gerd is also Batten Fellow at the Darden Business School, University of Virginia.

Awards for Gerd’s work: include the AAAS Prize for the best article in the behavioural sciences, the Association of American Publishers Prize for the best book in the social and behavioural sciences, the German Psychology Award, and the Communicator Award of the German Research Foundation.

His award-winning popular books Calculated Risks, Gut Feelings, Risk Savvy, and How To Stay Smart In A Smart World have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Together with the Bank of England, he is working on the project Simple Heuristics for a Safer World. He has trained US federal judges, German physicians, and international top managers in decision-making and understanding risks and uncertainties.

The Swiss Duttweiler Institute has distinguished Gerd as one of the top 100 Global Thought Leaders worldwide.

Outstanding Alumni Awards

“Not all labels are negative. One of the labels I’m most proud of is ‘University of Southampton alumni’. Graduands: wear that label with pride.”

These were the inspiring words of Veronica Gordon, winner of our Civic Award, as she addressed the Class of 2024.

Read more about her story and the other four inspiring recipients of our Outstanding Alumni Awards here.