Students join 125 years of pioneers at 2026 Graduation ceremonies

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The class of 2026 have been told they join 125 years of pioneers with an ‘opportunity to make the difference’ at Harper Adams University’s annual Graduation event.

This year’s ceremonies are the first of a series of celebrations marking 125 years of Harper Adams as an institution.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan told graduating students: “This month, exactly 125 years ago, just six pioneering students joined a passionate group of agricultural specialists, marking the beginning of the Harper Adams Agricultural College.

“I suspect if our 1901 ancestors were here, they would be both surprised, but inspired, by today’s gathering and the Harper Adams of 2026.

“These graduation ceremonies mark the formal commencement of our 125th anniversary celebrations and I would like to take a moment to honour those early pioneers who laid the foundations for the Harper Adams University we know today.

“Thomas Harper Adams, a wealthy Shropshire gentleman farmer, left his considerable estate in 1892 to establish an institution dedicated to teaching practical and theoretical agriculture.

“Early on, Harper Adams published papers on field experiments in 1903. The establishment of a specialist poultry husbandry department in 1909 led to egg-laying trials being exhibited at the Royal Show in 1914, and, in 1917, trials at Harper Adams broke the world record for the largest number of birds involved in a trial in any one location.

“By the time the National Institute for Poultry Husbandry opened on campus in 1926, Harper Adams stood out for its commitment to practical research, alongside its educational values.

“I raise this because I believe that the applied research which takes place on this campus, on our Future Farm and in other locations, is what distinguishes both the University and a Harper Adams education.”

Across three separate Graduation ceremonies, more than 700 students received awards.

This included a cohort of Veterinary Medicine students from the Harper & Keele Veterinary School, who graduated in the morning at Harper Adams University, before making their way to Keele University for a second ceremony.

During this, they were welcomed as official members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), pledging their commitment to ensure the health and welfare of animals under their care.

Meanwhile back at Harper Adams, two Honorary Degrees and two Fellowships of the University were also conferred.

In the first ceremony of the day, Tullis Matson FRAgS, Managing Director of Stallion AI Services and Founder and Chair of the Nature’s SAFE charity, received an Honorary Degree.

In the second, Christine Tacon CBE and Professor Grant Edwards became Fellows of the University.

Christine is a Member Nominated Director of the Co-op Group of food, funerals, insurance and legal services businesses.

She is also Chair of the BBC Rural Affairs Committee, a Trustee of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust, and founder and director of the Women in Food and Farming Network among many other achievements.

Professor Edwards is Vice-Chancellor of Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, New Zealand’s specialist land-based institution.

A distinguished agricultural scientist, educator and university leader, he has devoted his career to advancing research, teaching and innovation in agriculture and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Finally, in the third ceremony of the day, farmer, social media star and entrepreneur Olly Harrison DL was awarded an Honorary Degree.

Alumni from the University also reflected on their time at Harper Adams in addresses to the graduands.

Matthew Rollason, Agriculture Manager at the Dunbia Group, and Sophie Parfitt, who is now Commercial Manager at Barfoots of Botley Ltd, each shared their insights.

Professor Sloan added: “Thankfully, there are rather more than six students in the graduating Class of 2026.

“If you have a look at the University today, and look at your counterparts in 1901, in both cases what you are seeing are the next generation of leaders, the next generation of thinkers, they are the next generation to go out to industry and most importantly, the generation that has the opportunity to make the difference.”