A Scottish singing star, football legend and an inspiring parish minister have been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) winter graduations.
Singer and songwriter Eddi Reader MBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from UWS for her contribution to music and the arts.
The award was presented at the University’s Winter Graduation ceremony at Paisley Abbey on Tuesday 18 November, where she joined hundreds of graduating students celebrating their achievements.
Born and raised in Glasgow until she was 16 and then spending her late teens in Irvine, Eddi Reader began performing at a young age, using music as a way to connect with others through busking and appearances in local folk clubs. Her career has spanned genres and decades. From early work with post-punk band Gang of Four and singing with Annie Lennox while touring with the Eurythmics, to international success with Fairground Attraction, whose chart-topping single Perfect and debut album First of a Million Kisses became defining hits of the late 1980s.
Eddi’s subsequent solo career has seen her craft a diverse body of work across albums such as Mirmama, Eddi Reader, Simple Soul, and Songs of Robert Burns, which brought her widespread critical acclaim and connected Scottish musical heritage to audiences across the globe.
She was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to singing and continues to inspire through her creative exploration of both traditional and contemporary music.
Reflecting on the honour, Dr Reader said: “To be recognised by the University of the West of Scotland, so close to where my own journey began, is deeply moving. Music has always been about connection – connection with people and with emotion. To receive this award in Paisley Abbey, surrounded by students about to begin their own journey, feels very special.”
St Mirren legend Tony Fitzpatrick was awarded an Honorary Doctorate as part of a ceremony which took place at Paisley Abbey on Friday 21 November.
Tony, a former Scottish football player and manager, made a record 351 league appearances for Paisley-based St Mirren Football Club.
He was appointed club captain of the team at aged 19 by then manager Alex Ferguson and later led them to winning the 1987 Scottish Cup Final. He then managed the club between 1988 and 1991 and again between 1996 and 1998.
Tony was Chief Executive of St Mirren from 2016 to 2022 and is now an ambassador for the Club. Tony helped transform St Mirren into a community-owned club and has earned local tributes, with a street named after him (Fitzpatrick Way in a housing development built on the site of the club’s former stadium) and even a Renfrewshire Council road gritter named “Tony Gritzpatrick.” The Club also named the family stand after him at the SMiSA stadium.
Tony is passionate about driving change in grassroot sport, focused on championing sport as a catalyst for personal growth, community, and self-belief. He has also worked alongside Strathclyde Police and Police Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit to help make a difference to those caught up in gang warfare and unemployment in Scotland.
On receiving the Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Dr Tony Fitzpatrick said: “To receive this Honorary Doctorate from UWS is an incredible feeling. It’s something when you set out in life that you never think will happen to you, I’m humbled, proud and over the moon. As the graduates here today are starting out on their own career journey, one of the highlights of mine was actually the very beginning: making my debut for the Club and starting out as a professional football player. To the students graduating alongside me in this honour: huge congratulations.”
Reverend James Gibson, Interim Moderator and Minister for Paisley Abbey, was celebrated on Thursday 20 November, for his support of the local community and commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for the Abbey and other notable churches.
Jim served as Minister of Bothwell Parish Church for 30 years and retired from parish ministry in 2019 after 42 years’ service for the Church of Scotland. He later returned to service after accepting an appointment at Paisley Abbey, having been a probation assistant there in 1977.
Under his leadership, Jim helped the Abbey – which was founded in the 12th century – to recover from closure during the Covid-19 pandemic and is now leading the Abbey’s bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Jim was a key player in the development of the King’s Apartment within the ancient place of Paisley, which is part of the Abbey buildings. The historic Kings Apartment, which is where James VI and I (King of Scotland as James VI before he became King of both England and Scotland) resided during a visit to Scotland. The King’s Apartment is being developed into luxury town centre accommodation, providing income for Paisley Abbey as part of a larger development project for its future.
Jim is also actively involved in outreach initiatives and support for various groups within the community – engaging in ecumenical activities and supporting local students as Paisley Abbey hosts UWS’s graduation ceremonies.
In addition, Jim has been recognised in Scottish Parliament for his role as a minister and Queen’s Chaplain, as convenor of major boards of the General Assembly, and for 20-years’ membership of the Territorial Army deployed in Bosnia and elsewhere. Jim is now Chaplain in Ordinary to the King in Scotland.
Jim was congratulated for his work in strengthening national support for historic churches across Scotland. Particularly Paisley Abbey – led by his ambition for the church to be known and appreciated for its cultural significance on both a national and international scale.
On receiving the Honorary Doctorate from UWS, Jim said: “It’s an honour to receive this award from UWS, and as always, what better place to celebrate the success of UWS students than here in the magnificent surroundings of Paisley Abbey. Having been involved with UWS and supporting graduations over the years, it was wonderful to hear firsthand the success stories of the students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”
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