College Principal Receives Honorary Doctorate from Exeter University
Exeter College Principal Richard Atkins has joined a select group of local, national and international distinguished guests this week when he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (Hon LLD) from the University of Exeter. Graduating on Wednesday 15th July 2015, Mr Atkins said:
“I am delighted to have been chosen to receive an honorary degree from the University of Exeter in recognition of my long career in teaching, and in particular my 14 years as Principal at Exeter College. My family thoroughly enjoyed joining me at the graduation ceremony.
In recent years Exeter College has enjoyed significant success and confirmed its position as one of England’s top performing Further Education Colleges. This success has been the result of the long term hard work and relentless focus on student success achieved by the college staff and governors, and this recognition for me personally reflects our combined achievements and those of our students.”
Mr Atkins receives the accolade in a year which has seen him serve as the President for the national Association of Colleges (AoC) alongside his role as college Principal.
Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter presented Mr Atkins with his Honorary Doctorate and said “It is a great honour for the University to present Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College for the past fourteen years, with an honorary degree in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of education, regionally, nationally and internationally.
We are recognising today an innovative, passionate and visionary educational leader who has, quite simply, had a transformative impact, both on the city of Exeter and on the life chances of the many thousands of people who have benefitted from his vision during his distinguished career in further education. Richard has won many plaudits for Exeter College, which has gone from strength to strength under his leadership.”
