Encaenia and Honorary Degrees

Yesterday was Wednesday of 9th Week of Trinity Term when the University of Oxford traditionally celebrates its 'Festival of dedication' and awards honorary degrees to the great and the good.  All participants are first invited to Lord Crewe's Benefaction - peaches, strawberries and champagne.  They certainly looked very merry as they made their way towards the Sheldonian for the ceremony.  The man with the page boy is Chris Patten, (Lord Patten of Barnes) Chancellor of Oxford University and last Governor of Hong Kong (and one time head of the BBC), the woman with the highly decorated gown behind him is Louise Richardson, first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and expert on global terrorism.  The very happy man in the red and cream gown is Yo Yo Ma, world famous Chinese-America celllist and one of this year's 'honorands'. The verger and the bedels lead the procession (final photo). For more information about Encaenia, go to the University's website at:  http://www.ox.ac.uk/news-and-events/The-University-Year/Encaenia