New university bestows honour on First Minister

First Minister Rhodri Morgan was today made a Fellow of Wales’ newest university.

The Oxford and Harvard-educated politician attended a ceremony at Glyndŵr University, Wrexham, to receive the honour, awarded for his services to higher education in Wales.

In his speech during the Fellowship ceremony, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott, said: “Rhodri Morgan’s life combines the worlds of politics and academia. Son of TJ Morgan, the eminent Professor of Welsh in Swansea, and brother of the historian Prys Morgan, Rhodri’s academic career is no less impressive.

“After graduating from Oxford University Rhodri crossed the Atlantic to continue his studies obtaining a Master’s at Harvard University.”

Professor Scott said the First Minister’s connections with Glyndŵr University – formerly the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education – had been extensive and that he had attended our graduation ceremony here in 2007.

He added: “Glyndŵr University is indebted to the First Minister for the hard work he has put in to the establishment of Glyndŵr University.

“The publication of the One Wales document with its commitment to the establishment of a new university in North East Wales – a commitment which received cross party support – assured us that we had the political support to achieve our academic vision.

“For that reason I am delighted that we are honouring him today for his services to university education in Wales.”