CAPTION: Bishop Nick has had a long relationship with Plymouth Marjon University and has now become its first chancellor
Bishop of Plymouth appointed as first chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University
The Bishop of Plymouth, The Rt Reverend Nick McKinnel has been appointed as the first Chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University at its annual graduation event.
Bishop Nick has been involved with Marjon since the early 1990s and became a governor in 2015. Now after serving two terms in the role, he has been invited to become Chancellor.
Bishop Nick said:
Bishop Nick was apointed Chancellor at the University’s annual graduation service
“I was honoured to be asked to take the role of Chancellor. I think it is a great way to use the experience I have with Marjon and to promote the life of the university.”
Chancellors act as the ‘ceremonial head’ of a university and play an important ambassador role. They are community-facing, acting as an advocate for the university and helping to raise their profile, and playing a role in key events such as graduation.
“I really like the ‘small university, big heart’ slogan. Marjon is great in terms of introducing new people to higher education; through working with local schools, being part of the life of the wider church. There’s a great energy, and a really warm sense of community, which all of us value.
As the first-ever Chancellor, Bishop Nick takes a strong interest in what is going on at the university as well as meeting students, hearing their stories and listening to how they feel. Bishop Nick’s first task as Chancellor is to congratulate students at the graduation events running this week at the Plymouth Guildhall.
Last year’s graduation event was postponed due to the pandemic so this will be a very special experience as both the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be crossing the stage.
Bishop Nick said:
“Having strong values is important for people to fulfil what I’ve seen as their God-given potential. What education does is give choices. It allows you to choose different courses in life. Education is really freeing and enables us to develop as fulfilled people in whichever way we choose to do.”
