Herzog and Heaney set for Encaenia

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Professor Roman Herzog, has agreed to receive his Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by Diploma at Encaenia on 25 June. The Degree by Diploma, which is conferred only upon heads of state and members of royal families, was approved by a Special Resolution of Congregation on 15 October 1996. Seven other people will receive honorary degrees at Encaenia, subject to the approval of Congregation on 25 February. They are Sir Martin Jacomb, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Taylor of Gosforth, Professor Patrick Collinson, Professor Seamus Heaney, Professor Freeman Dyson, Professor Anne McLaren, and Sir Charles Mackerras. Professor Heaney, who was the University's Professor of Poetry 1989–94, has also won the 1996 Whitbread Book of the Year Award, announced last week, worth £21,000, which was for his collection, The Spirit Level.