The Archbishop of York has presented Archbishop Desmond Tutu with an honorary degree.Tutu received the award in York Minster on Thursday alongside hundreds of students graduating from York St John University.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of his incredible contribution to society.
Tutu was the first black South African Archbishop of Cape Town and an outspoken anti-apartheid activist.
He remains an esteemed figure around the world for his campaigning on a wide variety of issues, including AIDS, racism, homophobia and poverty.
The graduation ceremonies were attended by Archbishop John Sentamu and the University's Vice Chancellor, Professor David Fleming. Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the York-based Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, was presented with a Doctor of Laws in recognition of her extensive work in the voluntary sector.
Yorkshire poet, broadcaster, commentator and programme maker, Ian McMillan, was awarded with an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University.
On Friday, Danish-born author and presenter Sandi Toksvig was awarded with a Doctor of Letters.
Also honoured by York St John University yesterday was Dr Elizabeth White, Head of Research and Development at the College of Occupational Therapists, who received a Doctor of Health Sciences.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor David Fleming, said: “Graduation is a wonderful time for students to celebrate their achievements. We always strive to inspire our graduates and are delighted to be awarding honorary degrees to six exceptional individuals, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ian McMillan, Glynn Ryland, Julia Unwin, Sandi Toksvig and Dr Elizabeth White. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to honour and celebrate the contributions made to society by each of these remarkable people and I’m certain that our graduates will be hugely inspired by all of their accomplishments.”