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It’s going to be a rock and roll themed affair at Bangor University’s Graduation Ceremonies this year, as the University awards musician Gruff Rhys and Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

They are among the individuals who will be receiving Honorary Fellowships during the University’s annual graduation ceremonies in July.

Others being honoured include poet Myrddin ap Dafydd, former Welsh Language Board chair Meirion Prys Jones and Nicholas Snowman, the fourth generation member of the Wartski family to lead the jewellery company.

Having recently completed a UK tour with the successful band, the Super Furry Animals, who achieved mainstream success in the 1990s, Gruff Rhys has also worked on a number of solo projects including most recently, writing the film score for Set fire to the Stars.

He also made a film about the last days of Dylan Thomas, and American Interior a film about John Evans, who explored and mapped the Missouri river while searching of a mythical tribe of Welsh-speaking Indians.

Also being honoured for his contribution to contemporary music is Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1’s youngest ever DJ who also co-hosted BBC Radio Cymru’s music strand, C2. Huw Stephens also broadcasts and writes about music as well as curating and introducing the performances at several music festivals.

Joining him is Meirion Prys Jones, chair of the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity. He is a former chief executive of the Welsh Language Board and is well-known and respected across Europe by people involved in linguistic rights and language planning. It is for work in this area that he receives the Fellowship.

Myrddin ap Dafydd, founder of Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, a press and publishing house in Llanrwst is being honoured for his services to Welsh Literature and to the publishing industry in Wales.

Other individuals receiving the same honour during the week include Nicholas Snowman. He is the fourth generation member of the Wartski family to lead the London-based jewellers, Wartsk, one of the world’s most respected and eminent jewellers.

Founded in Bangor by Morris Wartski in 1865, a refugee from the Tsarist Russia, Wartski’s is now a firm of art and antique dealers specializing in fine jewellery, gold boxes, silver and works of art by Carl Fabergé. Mr Snowman receives the fellowship for his services to business.

A number of those being honoured have links to Bangor University.

These include recently retired former Bangor University, former Registrar and Secretary, Dr David Roberts who recently authored the latest history of the University.

Another Bangor graduate, Lowri Evans, is to be honoured for her services to Marine Science. She is Director General of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the European Commission.

A graduate of the College of Health; Behavioural Sciences at Bangor University, Jeremy Howell is a professor at the University of San Francisco, a small, exclusive Jesuit university. He is to receive an Honorary Fellowship for his services to Sports Science.

Bernard Taylor CBE currently Chairman of Cambridge Laboratories Ltd has a degree in Zoology from Bangor University and began his pharmaceutical career in marketing with SmithKline; French. He is to be rewarded for his services to pharmaceutical science.

Vice-Chancellor Prof John Hughes said: “Bangor University has achieved great results in several areas this last academic year.

“The University has been ranked in the top 100 Universities in the world for its international outlook, and rated in the top 20 in the UK for student experience in addition to having achieved excellent results in the Research Assessment Exercise.

“As we celebrate the success of our students and of the University, it’s also an honour to also highlight and reward others connected with Wales or the University who are excelling in their own chosen fields, and making a valued contribution.”