Queen star to bring a kind of magic as JMU chancellor

Nov 20 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

QUEEN guitarist Brian May has been named as the new chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

The musician, who was awarded a doctorate in astrophysics this year after finishing a thesis which he began before his pop career took off, takes the mantle from Cherie Booth, QC, who is stepping down after an extended seven-year tenure.

May’s appointment comes following a unanimous decision by the University’s governing body.

Pro-chancellor and chairman of the board, Sir Malcolm Thornton, said today: “Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere, but he is a real academic star as well. He perfectly embodies the ‘can do’ attitude of JMU; he is going to be a great chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the University.”

Brian May’s involvement with the university began earlier this year when he was awarded its highest honour, becoming an Honorary Fellow during JMU’s summer graduation ceremonies.

He will be installed as the fourth chancellor of JMU during a special ceremony early in the new year.

May said he was already planning to visit the JMU telescope in La Palma soon.

He said: “This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me. I am already familiar with the JMU Astrophysics team and I agree wholeheartedly with the JMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve – such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that JMU provides.

“This is the start of my journey with JMU, and I am looking forward to discovering more about the university.”

May’s fellowship was awarded by the university in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, but more significantly for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his renowned book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.

May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore – also a Fellow of JMU.

The virtuoso guitarist studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London and gained his BSc before progressing to a PhD. He put his academic career on hold to concentrate on his musical ambitions with Queen and more than 30 years later, in October, 2007, completed his PhD thesis and was awarded his doctorate.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Michael Brown said: “Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen.

“In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment.”

vickyanderson