A local campaigner, an international businesswoman, a philanthropist and a renowned ecologist will be honoured by the University of Aberdeen at this year's summer graduations.
John Otto is the co-founder and chairman of the JJR Macleod Memorial Statue Society. The organisation raised funds for a memorial statue recognising the impact of University graduate and co-discoverer of insulin, John James Rickard Macleod. JJR Macleod was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 1923, but his role in the discovery of insulin was not widely acknowledged until years after his death. John, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for more than 50 years, has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of JJR Macleod’s work and involvement in the discovery of insulin, culminating in the bronze and granite memorial statue that was unveiled at Aberdeen’s Duthie Park in 2023 – marking the 100-year anniversary of his Nobel Prize. John continues to raise the profile of JJR Macleod’s life and work, building international relationships that benefit the University’s cutting-edge research on diabetes. He will be awarded a Master of the University (MUniv) on Monday 30 June.
Anne Minto OBE, who will be awarded a Doctor of Laws (LLD) on Tuesday 1 July, is an international businesswoman and philanthropist who has dedicated her career to championing women in the workplace, striving for equal pay and improved board room representation. Anne graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an LLB in 1974 and her career has seen her work for Shell, Smiths Group plc and Centrica plc. She joined the University of Aberdeen Development Trust as a Trustee in 2013 and was Chair from 2017 until 2021. Anne was also an Independent Governor of the University Court for nine years and chaired the Finance and Resources Committee. She has been a generous donor and supporter of the University, and funds four annual scholarships for Law students. Anne was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to the engineering industry and currently is the Chair of the International Women Forum UK and a member of the Leadership Council for Women in Prison.
On Wednesday 2 July, Angus Pelham Burn MBE will receive a Master of the University (MUniv). A retired businessman and philanthropist, Angus started his career with the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada. After seven years with the company he returned to Scotland, where he went into farming. Angus later went on to have a successful business career in a variety of senior company and board roles, including as Chair of Aberdeen Asset Management, Scottish Provident and the Aberdeen Airport Consultative Committee. His other directorships have included the Bank of Scotland and Dana Petroleum. He also served as the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire for over 20 years. Angus has made a meaningful contribution to the work of the University, including donations to the Sir Duncan Rice Library and Cruickshank Botanic Garden. He also supported the creation of the Angus Pelham Burn Award – a scholarship that has supported PhD students studying anthropology in carrying out important field work, with a particular focus on research in Greenland and the Arctic region. In 2019, Angus was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community in the north-east of Scotland.
And Roy Dennis OBE will receive a Doctor of Science (DSc) on Friday 4 July. The British ecologist and field ornithologist has dedicated his career to the protection and reintroduction of rare birds into the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Roy joined the RSPB as Senior Officer in 1970. He later founded The Highland Foundation for Wildlife in 1995, which was renamed as the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in 2017 to reflect the increasingly international scope of their work as well as Roy’s contribution to conservation. He continues to work with them as the Foundation’s Honorary Director. Throughout his career, Roy has authored and contributed to books, articles and TV documentaries. In 1992, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to nature conservation in Scotland. Almost 30 years later, he received further recognition when he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2023 for services to wildlife.
Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “The University of Aberdeen awards honorary degrees to those who have made invaluable contributions to the University, local community, the region and in their fields.
“This summer’s honorary degree recipients exemplify this and I am delighted to welcome them to our global Aberdeen family. Their success will be an inspiration to our graduands as they embark on their own career journeys.
“We look forward to presenting them with their honorary degrees and celebrating their achievements as a University community.”