Terry (pictured) received the award at a ceremony at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds on Saturday (September 24).
Speaking at the ceremony, Richard Carter, chairman of governors at West Suffolk College, said: “If ever there was an individual who believes in Suffolk it is Terry. As editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, he ensures this his newspaper reflects the hopes, aspirations and concerns of Suffolk people.”
Mr Carter said that Archant Suffolk’s EADT had been at the forefront of the efforts to establish a university in Suffolk, thereby helping to raise educational aspirations among the county’s young people.
He continued: “As well as being informative, a good newspaper also seeks to educate, entertain and encourage the communities it serves. Terry ensures that his paper keeps those duties in focus.”
Mr Carter said that EADT also made positive contributions in areas such as helping to promote economic growth and playing a part in improving educational standards, as well organising successful community campaigns such as the Treehouse Appeal. He concluded: “I believe this Honorary Fellowship could not be bestowed on a more deserving person. His commitment to our county and its well-being is beyond doubt.”
Terry was born and educated in Suffolk, and has worked for the Suffolk business for 32 years, the last 15 of them as the editor of the EADT.
Accepting the award, he said: “I am enormously honoured to receive this Honorary Fellowship. Any award of this nature is, of course, a tremendous accolade. But for me, this recognition is all the more special because it comes from University Campus Suffolk, the university which our county has needed for so long.”
Terry said it was a privilege to have a role in which it was possible to wield positive influence to benefit his home county. “Because I’m a Suffolk boy, that makes my job especially exciting and rewarding.”
Other recipients of honorary awards from University Campus Suffolk later this year include Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover.
