Chancellor's year

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our Chancellor, Dr Annie Lennox OBE, continued to support and rally students and staff to work harder than ever to help tackle the global challenges we face.

With the easing of the global pandemic and lockdown restrictions, Dr Lennox once again presided over the University’s graduation ceremonies, capping thousands of students as they crossed the stage, looking forward to further success in the future. In recognition of Dr Lennox’s contributions, during the summer, we also named one of our buildings in her honour.

Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of GCU, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have Dr Lennox as our chancellor. Her passion, wisdom, guidance, and support for our community, especially during the pandemic, have been transformative. The Annie Lennox Building is in recognition of everything she has done for the University, our students, and her humanitarian work.”

Dr Lennox called on businesses and politicians to take concrete action on climate change and explore the changes needed now to help us to meet Scotland’s ambitious target of net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2045.

She stressed the importance of not seeing the climate and biodiversity crises as issues affecting just one country or continent. Dr Lennox also highlighted the importance of helping developing nations to adapt to climate change and make the transition needed for the long-term health of our planet and its inhabitants.

The Chancellor said: “We must provide real protection for our forests and oceans, and ensure there's sufficient funding from wealthier nations, who have profited from ecological destruction, to support the countries who are now bearing the brunt of it.”