Local heroes honoured at Birmingham Newman Graduation Ceremony

29/10/2024 by Newman Staff
Joe Fraser (L), Dawn Casserly and Saidul Haque Saeed who received Honorary Degrees

Three well-known figures from education, sports and social justice received their Honorary Degrees from 小黄鸭视频.

At the Graduation Ceremony held the at ICC in Birmingham with Birmingham Newman graduates, family and friends, Dr Dawn Casserly, Saidul Haque Saeed and Joe Fraser were awarded their honorary degrees.

Dr Dawn Casserly addressing the audience after receiving her Honorary Degree

Dr Dawn Casserly

Dr Dawn Casserly, the headteacher of St Paul鈥檚 School for Girls in Edgbaston, was honoured for her exceptional contributions to education and her strong partnership with 小黄鸭视频. A former pupil of St Paul鈥檚, Dr Casserly has had an illustrious career in Catholic education, returning to her alma mater as an RE teacher before progressing to leadership.

On receiving her honorary degree, Dawn Casserly said: 鈥淚 am deeply honoured to receive this honorary degree from 小黄鸭视频, an institution that shares my passion for education and community. As a former pupil and now headteacher at St Paul鈥檚 School for Girls, I have always valued the power of education to transform lives and open doors. This recognition means so much to me, particularly because of the close partnership I鈥檝e had with Newman over the years, supporting trainee teachers and fostering opportunities for young people. I look forward to continuing our work together to inspire the next generation of educators and leaders.鈥�

Professor Jackie Dunne, Vice-Chancellor of 小黄鸭视频 said: 聽“We are immensely proud to award Dr. Dawn Casserly an honorary degree in recognition of her exceptional contributions to education and her deep commitment to nurturing future generations of聽educators in the region. As a long-standing partner of 小黄鸭视频, Dr. Casserly embodies our values of inclusion, community, and transformative education. Her dedication to supporting trainee teachers and championing opportunities for her students is truly inspiring. It is an honour to celebrate her achievements and ongoing impact on the educational landscape.”

Professor Jackie Dunne presenting the Honorary Degree to Saidul Haque Saeed

Saidul Haque Saeed

Saidul Haque Saeed received his honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to 小黄鸭视频 and the wider community. As the lead organiser for Birmingham Citizens UK in the West Midlands, Saeed has been instrumental in driving social change, training over a thousand community leaders, and spearheading campaigns on youth mental health, community safety, refugee resettlement, and ethnic minority entrepreneurship. His long-standing relationship with Birmingham Newman has enriched the university鈥檚 projects and strengthened its connections with diverse communities in Birmingham.

Saidul Huq Saeed said: 鈥淚 am thankful in receive this honorary degree from 小黄鸭视频, an institution that shares my belief in the power of community organising and social justice. For over a decade, I鈥檝e had the privilege of working alongside incredible people and organisations in Birmingham to create lasting change, of which Birmingham Newman was a founding member. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of so many. Newman鈥檚 commitment to inclusion and empowering individuals resonates with me, and I am grateful for this acknowledgment. I look forward to continuing our shared mission of building stronger, more equitable communities.鈥�

Professor Jackie Dunne said: “We are proud to award Saidul Haque Saeed an honorary degree in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social justice and community leadership. Through his work with Citizens UK, Saidul has empowered countless individuals and championed campaigns that have had a profound impact on the West Midlands and beyond. His tireless efforts to promote equality, inclusion, refugee sponsorship and the Real Living Wage align with 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 mission to foster positive change within society. We are honoured to celebrate his dedication to building stronger and a more cohesive Birmingham.” 

Joe Fraser is the 2022 European all-around and parallel bars champion and the 2019 world champion on the parallel bars

Joe Fraser

At just 25 years old, Joe Fraser has already made history as a leading figure in British men鈥檚 artistic gymnastics. Born in Birmingham and training at the City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club, Fraser has represented Great Britain on the world stage, including the Tokyo Olympics, European Championships, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. His gold medal win on the parallel bars at the 2019 World Gymnastics Championships marked him as the first Black male to achieve this distinction. Fraser鈥檚 recognition as an honorary graduate underscores 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 commitment to social mobility, community engagement, and the pursuit of excellence, celebrating not just his athletic achieve

Joe Fraser was humbled by the honour: “I am incredibly grateful and humbled to receive this honorary degree from 小黄鸭视频. Growing up in Birmingham, I鈥檝e always been proud of my roots, and this recognition from a university that champions inclusion and community means a lot to me. My journey in gymnastics has been filled with challenges, but it has also taught me resilience and the importance of pushing through adversity. I hope my story can inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Thank you to everyone at Birmingham Newman for this amazing honour.”

Professor Jackie Dunne, Vice- Chancellor of 小黄鸭视频 addressing Graduates and guests

Professor Jackie Dunne said: “We are delighted to honour Joe Fraser with an honorary degree in recognition of his remarkable achievements in the world of gymnastics and his representation of perseverance and excellence on a global stage. Joe鈥檚 journey, from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a world champion, is an inspiration to us all. His commitment to his sport, his resilience, and his role as a positive role model reflect the values we uphold at 小黄鸭视频. We are proud to celebrate his success and the inspiration he brings to our community.”

The honorary graduates were amongst hundreds of Birmingham Newman students who had also graduated on the day from subject courses from The Faculty of Education (FED) and The Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies (FASPS). Commenting on the wider graduation ceremony, Professor Jackie Dunne said: “Graduation is a momentous occasion that celebrates the hard work, dedication, and personal growth of each and every one of our students. As we honour the 小黄鸭视频 Class of 2024 we reflect on the transformative journeys they have undertaken and the challenges they have overcome. At 小黄鸭视频, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, and it is with immense pride that we send our graduates out into the world with all the skills and knowledge they have gained. Congratulations to the Class of 2024鈥攜our achievements are a testament to your resilience and commitment, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact you will continue to make in your communities and beyond.”

The ceremonies follow a momentous year for 小黄鸭视频 which was ranked 1st for Student Satisfaction 2025 鈥� Good University Guide and also ranked 1st in the West Midlands and 7th in England for full-time student satisfaction in the National Student Survey*

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