Inspirational civil rights campaigner Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE is to become the new Chancellor of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
Following a nominations process involving staff and students, Baroness Lawrence has been chosen as DMU Chancellor as a result of her strong desire to champion issues affecting students, education and social change, as an advocate for many of the values held dear by staff, students and the wider community.
New Chancellor: Baroness Lawrence pictured at her honorary degree ceremony at DMU last yearFollowing the death of her son, Stephen, in 1993, she established the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them start careers in architecture, journalism and law.
A champion for the transformative power of education, she has also worked to increase the number of students from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds participating in higher education.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining De Montfort University as its new Chancellor. I am a huge believer in education's power to transform lives for the better and am thrilled to become part of DMU at such an exciting time for the university.
“As Chancellor I will be involved in the lives of young people at DMU, both now and in the future, and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their ambitions and be the very best that they can be.”
Baroness Lawrence became a Life Peer in 2013 and the following year was named one of the most powerful women in the UK by the BBC.
As a peer in the House of Lords, Baroness Lawrence has used her political standing to influence and empower young people to engage in politics.
Last year she was made an Honorary Doctor of Laws by DMU and, following the ceremony, gave up her time to speak to students and staff, sharing some of her experiences.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, welcomed the appointment and said: “Baroness Lawrence epitomises DMU’s ethos of public good and uses her position to challenge convention to be a force for positive change.
“She champions issues affecting education and social reform and will inspire our students to make a real difference in society.”
Mr Ian Blatchford, Chair of the Board of Governors, said: “Baroness Lawrence’s achievements and qualities resonate with DMU’s own commitment to equality and diversity, something which is embedded into the very fabric of our university community. She will be an outstanding ambassador for the transformative power of education and a wonderful role model for our students.”
The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university and, as such, acts as its figurehead and ambassador. An inauguration ceremony will be held at the university in early 2016.
Baroness Lawrence will succeed The Lord Alli who stepped down from the role after nine years in July.
Posted on Wednesday 14 October 2015