Lilian Thuram, who was part of France’s victorious World Cup squad in 1998, and Lauren Mayberry, singer with Glasgow band Chvrches were honoured by Strathclyde at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies.
They have joined more than 3,000 students who are being awarded their degrees at the University’s Barony Hall.
Lauren Mayberry studied at Strathclyde, gained a Law degree and, subsequently, a Masters in Journalism. During the latter course, she received the Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland Journalism Award in 2010, before forming Chvrches with her fellow Strathclyde alumni, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty.
The band has released four albums, all of which have reached the UK top 10 and the top 40 of the US Billboard 200, and she released two solo singles in 2023. Chvrches have had prominent billing at several of the world’s leading music festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, SXSW, Reading and Leeds, T in the Park and Lollapalooza.
Lilian Thuram grew up in Guadeloupe and went on to have a career in football spanning 17 years, playing as a defender. With 142 appearances for France, he is his country’s second most-capped player and held the record for 16 years. He played in all but one of France’s matches in the 1998 World Cup, scoring both goals in their 2-1 semi-final win over Croatia, and in five of the nation’s six matches when they won the European Championship in 2000.
In his club career, he played for several of Europe’s leading clubs, including Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona, winning the UEFA Cup with Parma and the Serie A league with Juventus.
In 2008, he created the Lilian Thuram Foundation for Education Against Racism, which organises workshops in primary, secondary and high schools, as well as universities, in France and other countries, accompanied by lectures, debates and exhibitions. The Foundation has sponsored Démos Educational Orchestra programs for underserved youth with the Paris Philharmonic and supports a wide range of activities to fight discrimination and defend human rights.
Have a look at the gallery to see more celebrities that have been honoured by universities in Glasgow.
1. Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in 1933. | University of Glasgow
2. Billy Connolly
Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly joined graduating students from the University of Strathclyde at the Barony Hall where he received an honorary degree from the University in June 2017. | Getty Images
3. Nelson Mandela
Glasgow Caledonian University gave Nelson their highest honour in 1996 - Honorary Doctorate of the University – at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his leadership in fighting apartheid. | Glasgow Caledonian University
4. Richard Madden
Richard Madden stands on the steps of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland following receiving an honorary doctorate for his contribution to drama in 2019.Photo: Jeff J Mitchell