Greg Dyke signs off from Graduation duties
Posted on 14 July 2015
Since becoming Chancellor in 2004, he has conferred degrees on thousands of students and his inspiring speech entreating them to ‘control their own destiny’ has always been a highlight of the ceremonies.
Greg Dyke came to York as a mature student in the early 1970s graduating with a degree in Politics in 1974, an experience he insists changed his life. When he became Chancellor he said, “I hope by taking on this role I can help repay the debt I owe the University” and he has done that in huge measure. Graduation ceremonies are the most public of duties for the Chancellor but Greg Dyke has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help and support the University.
He is a major benefactor and his generosity over the last 20 years has been demonstrated in the creation of the JLD all-weather pitch, named in memory of his father; the Greg Dyke Chair of Film and Television in the Department of Theatre Film and Television; and generating more than £100,000 in funding to support student bursaries.
Greg's place
In the last year, he has matched all new donations to the student bursary fund prompting 430 donors to give for the first time. His legacy as Chancellor to the University will be ‘Greg’s Place’ –the major refurbishment of the Vanbrugh Piazza and creation of a hub for the entire campus community on which performance, art, events and student enterprise will be showcased and allowed to flourish.
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Koen Lamberts said: “Greg’s innate modesty means he is probably unaware of the collective impact he has made and how much he has actually influenced the destiny of our students as a role model and benefactor.
“He truly has ‘repaid the debt’ – astonishingly so, and in more ways than he may realise. We thank him for 11 wonderful years as Chancellor.”