Gregory’s Girl director Bill Forsyth, The Commitments author Roddy Doyle and Mr Tumble are among 10 leading figures who will be granted honorary degrees by Dundee University this year.
Also receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) will be Dundee-raised BBC political editor Brian Taylor, renowned Watchmen penciller Dave Gibbons and crime writer Stuart MacBride.
BAFTA-winning children’s presenter Justin Fletcher, better known as Mr Tumble, will also receive an honorary degree, as will molecular biologist Professor Frank Grosveld, author and campaigner Dr Jung Chang and child health expert Professor Neil Buist.
“This university’s core mission is to transform lives through the creation and sharing of knowledge, and in our honorary graduates we recognise individuals who have done that in their own lives and can stand as the best possible role models for our students and staff,” said Professor Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of the university.
“Each of the people we will award an honorary degree to this summer fits that description.
“They have achieved great things in fields that are directly relevant to our own students here at Dundee, from Justin Fletcher’s fantastic work with young children to Professor Frank Grosveld’s groundbreaking work in molecular biology, and from Dave Gibbons’ standing as one of the world’s most read graphic novelists to Bill Forsyth’s status as Scotland’s greatest film-maker.
“I look forward to welcoming all of them to Dundee this summer.”
The graduation ceremonies take place from Wednesday June 24 to Friday June 26 in the Caird Hall in Dundee.
Around 3500 students will receive their own degrees and diplomas over the course of the week, one of the highlights of the academic calendar.