Archant Suffolk editor Nigel, pictured with wife Ruth, was made an honorary fellow of University Campus Suffolk (UCS) and was given the accolade in front of students from the School of Science, Technology and Health.
During his address, he said: “I am thrilled, delighted and honoured to be here today. Thrilled for you wonderful young heroes and heroines on your special day when you, in truth, are the VIPs.
“Delighted to be part of such a special day, beautifully organised by the team at UCS and honoured to receive my own award today in the heart of a town I am very proud of.”
He told the graduates UCS was an “outstanding success story” and he was so proud to have been a small part of this through the years.
Hundreds of University Campus Suffolk (UCS) students celebrated their fine achievements during the three days of ceremonies held at Ipswich Town Hall and the Corn Exchange.
Eastenders actress June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton in the BBC show, also received an honorary fellowship in Ipswich this week as did Terry Hunt, editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, in a similar ceremony, in Bury St Edmunds, in September.
In an oration, the audience was told Nigel has been editor of the Star for an unbroken spell of almost 16 years – making him one of the longest-serving newspaper bosses in the British regional press.
During his tenure The Evening Star has become one of the pre-eminent regional newspaper brands – the title is widely known and respected in the print industry.
“Ipswich is currently the smallest of only seven towns and cities in the country that have two daily papers. As other local papers have lost brand power, the Star in Ipswich is recognised as a regional newspaper with a national reputation,” read the citation.
“Nigel is passionate about Ipswich, and that the Star is a paper for the people of Ipswich. The paper has campaigned tirelessly for the people of Ipswich, Felixstowe and wider Suffolk and has won many battles on behalf of readers. ‘Ambulance Watch’ and ‘Somebody’s Daughter’ are two of the campaigns Nigel is most proud of. ‘Ambulance Watch’ in the mid 1990’s forced a public inquiry into the failing East Anglian Ambulance Trust, helping to turn the service in Suffolk around and leading to changes which saved lives in Suffolk.”
The Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund was launched by the Evening Star in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council to forever remember the five young women who were tragically murdered in Ipswich in 2006.
The audience was told the Star has won 17 Newspaper of the Year awards in the last 15 years.
