Yesterday, Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox became the new Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University.
By doing so the little bird singer has soared through the glass ceiling and achieved what would’ve seemed impossible to some women 10 years ago.
Dr Lennox has taken over from Professor Muhammad Yunus becoming the fifth chancellor in the history of the University and being the first woman to hold the position.
She said that she was “humbled and awed beyond measure” to be appointed this amazing role. A special ceremony was held yesterday at the GCU Campus, and she promised to advance the university’s mission to promote the common good.
Dr Anne=ie Lennox told the audience that she did not have a degree but she was “an honorary graduate from the school of life.”
“I come from a long line of hard-working Scots from the times when class boundaries, economic identities and gender roles were very firmly established,” she said.
“Young women from working-class backgrounds gaining university degrees were as rare as kangaroos in the Antarctic.”
She added: “I only wish my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents could be here today to witness this special occasion, as it would have filled them with pride and disbelief, proving in some way that miracles can sometimes happen. After all, it’s with thanks to them that I am here in the first place.”
The Oscar-winning musician has sold more than 83 million albums worldwide and has also worked to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Dr Lennox’s first job is today- where she will be awarding degrees to students on the first day of the university’s summer graduation season.
Our new Student President Rachel Simpson made her first official speech and we got an exclusive on how she feels about our new chancellor.
“It is a privilege to welcome a truly inspirational role model for our students into our community which is wholeheartedly committed to being part of something bigger.”
“Chancellor Lennox’s shared values with GCU are evident in her drive, passion, and commitment towards challenging social injustice, and I am absolutely thrilled to see a chancellor with such strong commonalities between their work and achievements, and that of GCU Student’s Association, and GCU Students.”
Glasgow Caledonian University is also making further strides towards Gender Equality, with the first female Vice President of the School of Engineering and Built Environment, Eilidh Fulton. We spoke to her about the installation of Chancellor Lennox.
“I am so grateful to have been able to attend the installation of our new Chancellor, Dr Lennox. She is such an inspirational and amazing woman that I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to meet. I am truly proud to welcome Chancellor Lennox to GCU.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also at the installation of the new Chancellor where she told the audience: “It is a pleasure to be at an event that celebrates the contribution that Glasgow Caledonian University makes to the Common Good.”
“Annie Lennox is someone I have admired since before I even went to university. In fact, when I appeared on Desert Island Discs, I chose Sisters are Doin’ It for Themselves, which Annie sang with Aretha Franklin.”
“So, this is a genuinely extraordinary moment for me. If you had told me back in 1985 when that song came out that I would one day stand here as Scotland’s first female First Minister to welcome Annie as the first female Chancellor of one of Scotland’s universities I would have been thrilled. She has been a role model to women around the world and I know she will be a role model for all students here at Glasgow Caledonian University.”
Annie Lennox was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS in 2010 and has been a public supporter of many causes in her social activism including the likes of Amnesty International, Greenpeace as well as campaigning for LGBT rights.
Annie Lennox becoming the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University is a truly momentous occasion which will be remembered for years to come.
