Brian May

[Howie]

New Chancellor confirmed
19 November 2007

Dr Brian May CBE has been confirmed as the new Chancellor for LJMU following a unanimous decision by the University's Governing Body.



Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board, Sir Malcolm Thornton said today: "On behalf of the governing body of Liverpool John Moores University, I am delighted to announce that Brian May will be the new Chancellor of LJMU. Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere but he is a real academic star as well. He perfectly embodies the 'can do' attitude of LJMU; he is going to be a great Chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the University."

Brian May's involvement with the University began earlier this year when he was awarded the University's highest honour, becoming an Honorary Fellow during LJMU's summer graduation ceremonies.

His Fellowship was awarded in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, but more significantly for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his renowned book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.

Dr May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore; Patrick Moore is also a Fellow of LJMU and a long standing supporter of the University's internationally acclaimed Astrophysics Research Institute, whose world-class research, work with schoolchildren, and development of robotic telescopes earned them a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2005.


Professor Mike Bode, Director of LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute said: "I am absolutely delighted to learn that Dr Brian May is to be the next Chancellor of the University. He had a very hard choice to make in his mid-twenties - whether to pursue a career in science or music. Well, he chose the latter, but never forgot the former. It is in fact a tribute to him, and a measure of his great interest in the nature of our Universe, that he recently completed his PhD in astrophysics after putting it to one side for so many years. Fittingly, he performed his original observational work in the Canaries where the University owns and operates one of the world's most sophisticated telescopes. We look forward to sharing some observational work with him in the future, and I think he will be amazed at how our capabilties have advanced over the years."

Brian studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London and gained his BSc before progressing to a PhD. He put his academic career on hold to concentrate on his musical ambitions and more than 30 years later, in October 2007, Brian completed his PhD thesis A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud and was awarded his doctorate.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Michael Brown commented: "Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen. In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment. When Brian returned to his studies and completed his PhD this year he earned the respect of students and academics the world over. Brian is a man of the utmost integrity and we are honoured and privileged that he has agreed to become our Chancellor."

Brian follows Cherie Booth QC who held the position of Chancellor for an extended period of seven years from 1999 to 2006. Cherie Booth continues as an active and committed ambassador for the University in her role as Chancellor Emeritus.

Cherie Booth said: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome Brian May as my successor. At LJMU we sum up our ethos in three words: Dream, Plan, Achieve. It is a driving force that perfectly represents the ambitions of our students and our academics. Brian certainly had a dream and nothing deterred him from achieving his PhD, I am sure that he will be a real champion for LJMU and a tremendous role model and inspiration for all of our students."



The University's Chancellor plays a vital role in raising the profile of the institution acting as an ambassador for the University and its staff and students.

Professor Brown added: "In many universities, the role of Chancellor is largely ceremonial, however, at LJMU whilst the Chancellor is clearly a figurehead, the role is much more than that and the Chancellor Emeritus, Cherie Booth, made an enormous contribution to the University during her tenure.

"LJMU is currently going through a period of immense change and we recently announced a far reaching and ambitious strategy to develop the experience we offer students in terms of skills development. Brian has been tremendously encouraging in this development and declared himself a true ally in our ambitions."

Brian May will be installed as the fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University during a special ceremony early in the new year.

Brian May said: "This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me. Of course, I am already familiar with the LJMU Astrophysics team and their work with robotic telescopes and I look forward to visiting the LJMU telescope in La Palma very soon. I agree wholeheartedly with the LJMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve - such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that LJMU provides, changing people's lives and helping individuals to reach their goals and realise their dreams. I am completely committed to what LJMU terms the 'WOW' factor - the World of Work programme that is integral to all of their degree programmes. This is the start of my journey with LJMU and I am looking forward to discovering more about the University and the people that make LJMU such a unique place of learning."

Pictures:

Top: Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board, Sir Malcolm Thornton, LJMU's new Chancellor Dr Brian May and Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Brown.

Bottom: Dr Brian May, LJMU's new Chancellor, received an Honorary Fellowship from the University in July 2007.

Source: LJMU News Update

[Howie]

Queen star to bring a kind of magic as JMU chancellor
Nov 20 2007
by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post



QUEEN guitarist Brian May has been named as the new chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

The musician, who was awarded a doctorate in astrophysics this year after finishing a thesis which he began before his pop career took off, takes the mantle from Cherie Booth, QC, who is stepping down after an extended seven-year tenure.

May’s appointment comes following a unanimous decision by the University’s governing body.

Pro-chancellor and chairman of the board, Sir Malcolm Thornton, said today: “Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere, but he is a real academic star as well. He perfectly embodies the ‘can do’ attitude of JMU; he is going to be a great chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the University.�

Brian May’s involvement with the university began earlier this year when he was awarded its highest honour, becoming an Honorary Fellow during JMU’s summer graduation ceremonies.

He will be installed as the fourth chancellor of JMU during a special ceremony early in the new year.

May said he was already planning to visit the JMU telescope in La Palma soon.

He said: “This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me. I am already familiar with the JMU Astrophysics team and I agree wholeheartedly with the JMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve – such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that JMU provides.

“This is the start of my journey with JMU, and I am looking forward to discovering more about the university.�

May’s fellowship was awarded by the university in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, but more significantly for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his renowned book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.

May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore – also a Fellow of JMU.

The virtuoso guitarist studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London and gained his BSc before progressing to a PhD. He put his academic career on hold to concentrate on his musical ambitions with Queen and more than 30 years later, in October, 2007, completed his PhD thesis and was awarded his doctorate.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Michael Brown said: “Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen.

“In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment.�

Source: Liverpool Daily Post

[Devo]

The film "The School of Rock" starring "Jack Black" springs to mind!
Seriously though
Well Done that man

[ChrisGeorge]

An inspiring story. Well done, indeed!

Chris

Its nice to see a Chancellor installed who is not merely 'academic' but has a genuine life story to tell. All too often most higher educational institutions install leaders of science or business or politicians or their wives. Not that these aren't important areas or interesting people in their own little way but Brian May is an interesting real person who I'm sure students will be able to empathise with much more than an MP from the 70's or 80's.

[Howie]

Just got back from the official installation of Brian May as the fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University at St George's Hall. Seems a down to earth bloke. I think he will be good for the instituion. It was a pleasant ceremony, (better than being stuck in the office all morning anyway). There was plenty of well known faces there including Anita Dobson, Patrick Moore, Cherie Booth, and Pete Postlethwaite.

[Howie]

May installed as uni chancellor

Queen guitarist Brian May has been formally installed as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.


Dr May studied Astrophysics in London in his 20s

The 60-year-old was awarded an honorary fellowship for his contribution to astronomy and services to the public understanding of science last year.

He studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London, but put his academic career on hold to play with Queen.

Dr May has taken over the Chancellor's role from former Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie.

His duties will include presiding over graduation ceremonies and representing the university on special occasions.

He said he was "proud" to take up the role and insisted people were "never too old" to start learning.

About 500 people, including university staff, students and alumni, watched the installation ceremony at St George's Hall in Liverpool.

Cherie Booth QC, who served as Chancellor between 1999 and 2006, and John Moores CBE, her predecessor, who served as Chancellor from 1994 to 1999, were also at the ceremony.

'Tremendous role model'

Dr May gained a BSc in his 20s, and even used Liverpool John Moores' remote telescope in the Canary Islands to complete his PhD.

More than 30 years later in 2007, he completed his PhD thesis, A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud and was awarded his doctorate.

The guitarist recently co-authored a book, Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, with Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott.

In a statement released by the university, he said: "I am very proud to be the new Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, and I am particularly touched that so many staff and students are able to be here today. I am passionate about education and lifelong learning.

"It really doesn't matter how old you are or what stage of your life you are in, it is never, ever too late to start learning.

"I proved that by completing my PhD, 30 years after I started it. As Chancellor, I hope that my personal experiences will act as an inspiration for others."

Vice Chancellor of LJMU, Professor Michael Brown, said: "The ethos of this university is summed up in three simple words: Dream, Plan, Achieve.

"No-one embodies this more perfectly than our new Chancellor, Dr Brian May.

"While gaining global recognition as a musician, and supporter of the performing arts, he never lost sight of his dream, his passion for astronomy and science."

He added: "There is no doubt that Brian May will be a real champion for LJMU and a tremendous role model for our students. We are delighted to welcome him as our new Chancellor today."

Source: BBC NEWS | Merseyside

Good on him.He's a nice fella.

[Howie]

Brian May’s university rhapsody
Apr 15 2008
by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post



THE fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University was solemnly installed yesterday to the sound of a trumpet fanfare.

More...

[marky]

He also recently opened a website showing some of the early examples of stereo photographs (T. R. Williams, 1850s). He appears to have a full set of these photos, but some are only shown as thumbnails at present.
http://www.londonstereo.com/