Brian May appointed university chancellor

An academic kind of magic

By Lucy Sherriff • Get more from this author

Posted in Space, 20th November 2007 16:27 GMT

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Ringlet-topped axe-slinger Brian May (PhD) has been appointed Chancellor of Liverpool's John Moores University, after he was named an honorary fellow of the university last year. Dr. May will take over from Cherie Blair in February next year.

Dr. May was awarded his PhD after standing up to the academic scrutiny of a viva at London's Imperial College in August this year. He completed his thesis, entitled Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud, some 36 years after beginning the research. He inexplicably dropped his studies back in 1971 to become an international rock star.

Now that he is a serious academic, he said he would celebrate his new job with "a delicious vegetarian roast and a glass of choice dessert wine", according to the BBC.

He said the appointment is a great honour, and a new challenge for him. "I am looking forward to discovering more about the University and the people that make LJMU such a unique place of learning," he said.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Michael Brown, described the physicist/guitarist as an "intensely talented individual".

"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," he added.

As chancellor, Dr. May will preside over graduation ceremonies, and represent the university on "special occasions". ®

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