New Year recognition for Cambridge people

Professor Frank Kelly, Master of Christ’s College, is awarded a CBE for services to Mathematical Sciences; Professor Mary Beard of Newnham College is awarded an OBE for services to Classical Scholarship; and Professor Janet Todd, President of Lucy Cavendish College, receives an OBE for services to Higher Education and Literary Scholarship.

Speaking after the announcement Professor Beard said: “This is delightful and flattering. While I am not sure I believe in the British Empire, I do believe in Classics, and so long as people can get any kind of award for services to classical scholarship, I’m over the moon. This honour really is for the subject, not for me. I’m just the tip of an iceberg. Whatever I’ve been able to do for Classics over the last 25 years has been with the amazing collaboration of all my mates in the Classics faculty in Cambridge. It’s an unrivalled place to study Classics, and I’ve been very very lucky to be here.”

Professor Todd said: “I’m of course very pleased by this award. Along with other scholars, I’ve devoted a lot of my life to the study of past women writers who were largely ignored when I began; so I’m delighted that this aspect of my professional career has been honoured.  I’m also glad that the award has come while I’m President of Lucy Cavendish College.  We’ve just celebrated the 40th anniversary of women’s entry into Cambridge men’s colleges, but, although great strides have been made, equality of opportunity is still not achieved and I believe there remains a place for women’s institutions. I’m privileged to be working in one of the best.”

In addition, Cambridge businessman Dr David Cleevely, Founder Director of the Centre for Science and Policy, is awarded a CBE for services to Technology and Innovation, as is Sherry Coutu, the angel investor who sits on the University’s Finance Committee, for services to Entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile it has been announced that the Queen has conferred a life peerage of the United Kingdom on Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury who from January becomes Master of Magdalene College. He takes the title of Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the City and County of Swansea.

Image: L-R: Professor Mary Beard, Professor Frank Kelly, Professor Janet Todd

Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge

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