Students celebrate alongside Ryder Cup hero and leading sports psychologist at Stirling graduation

More than 800 graduates celebrated their achievements on the first day of the University of Stirling’s 50th anniversary summer graduation ceremonies.

Graduates of Stirling Management School and the faculties of Natural Sciences and Health Sciences and Sport received their degrees alongside the University’s newest honorary graduates.

Professor Steve Peters, sports psychologist and founder of the ‘Chimp Paradox’ mind management model, received the award of Doctor of the University for his outstanding contribution to Psychology, Health Sciences and Sport.

Dr Bernard Gallacher OBE is the University's newest Honorary Graduate.

Addressing graduates from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Dr Peters said: “I first graduated from Stirling a long time ago and it’s fantastic to have the privilege to come back and share this day.

“My life is based around helping individuals get the best out of your life. The most important factor is you. Live by your values, work with the reality of life and finally, keep perspective. Life is an egg and spoon race – you are going to drop the ball sometimes, but stay passionate.

“I hope you will have the privilege I have one day to stand at your University and welcome the next graduates.”

Also recognised during Wednesday’s ceremonies was Bernard Gallacher OBE, who received the award of Doctor of the University for his outstanding contribution to sport in respect of his achievements and accolades in professional golf.

Great honour

He was the youngest man to represent Great Britain in the Ryder Cup and famously won the competition as Team Europe’s non-playing Captain in 1995, having racked up 22 professional wins over his career and was honoured alongside graduates from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport and Stirling Management School.

Dr Gallacher said: “It is a great honour to be present today and to be part of the graduation ceremony at this excellent university. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the students well in their chosen professions.

“If there is a secret to a successful career and life I strongly believe it is about being passionate in every aspect of a chosen path and believing in one’s self.”

Thursday’s ceremonies will celebrate the achievements of more than 750 graduates from the faculties of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Honorary degrees will also be bestowed on humanitarian and internationally-acclaimed poet Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain and Stirling Emeritus Professor Angela Smith, who established the University of Stirling Retired Staff Association.

As the University of Stirling celebrates 50 years, the class of 2017 join a budding alumni community of more than 82,000 located in 169 countries around the world.

Almost 97 per cent of Stirling graduates are in work or further study within six months of leaving University.

Photos and graduate stories from the summer graduation ceremonies are available on the Graduation website.

Stirling graduates