Sir Michael Parkinson’s legacy as the former chancellor of Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was his “down to earth” rapport with students and staff, as well as his celebrity contribution at graduation ceremonies, the vice-chancellor has said.
The veteran broadcaster, who has died age 88 following a “brief illness”, retired from the role of chancellor in 2014 after six years at the teaching institution.
Among other things, he has been remembered for inviting the likes of Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, and Sir Billy Connolly to collect honorary degrees at graduation ceremonies.
NTU vice-chancellor Edward Peck told the PA news agency: “His major contribution to the university was his presence officiating at these graduation ceremonies where there could be 2,500 people in the audience, they are big events in the concert hall and because he has such experience of speaking, and being in front of an audience, he just carried it off with great aplomb.
“People remembered the events as being special because of his presence and the people he invited along like Judi Dench, David Attenborough and Billy Connolly are the three that stick in people’s mind particularly.”
