Honorary graduates 2016
Cassie Roberts
Cassie Roberts is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Open Doors International Language School (ODILS), a Plymouth faith-based charity in the voluntary community sector, which provides classes in English as a second language and in basic skills (literacy, numeracy, IT, support for integration), for marginalized people: refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and their families. Over the last 14 years it has developed into a successful social enterprise with all profits from its commercial activities supporting its charitable undertakings.
Cassie also serves as Chair of Peninsula Community Learning Trust, which acts as an advocate for community learning across the South West, helping groups to set priorities for their own learning and to broaden their sources of income, and as a Director of the Third Sector National Learning Alliance, which offers support to organisations which 'reach' people at most disadvantage in society.
The University has worked closely with Cassie, in her ODILS CEO role, for a number of years. She has facilitated a range of placements for Marjon students, from arranging case study opportunities for English Language and Linguistics students to observations for overseas teachers on University programmes.
Sir David Carter
Sir David Carter began teaching music in various comprehensive schools across the country, since taking his first post in 1983. As a graduate of music, from the University of London, he went on to develop his career and became headteacher of Cirencester Deer Park School, Gloucestershire in 1997.
Sir David went on to become Principle of John Cabot City Technology College, Bristol in 2004. In 2007 he became the CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, helping to lead the growth of the federation to include 12 schools.
In 2013 Sir David was recognised for his services to education by receiving a knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours.
Sir David became the first Regional School Commissioner for the South West prior to undertaking his current role of National Schools Commissioner in 2016.
Seth Lakeman
Seth Lakeman was born in Devon and is an English folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but also playing the viola and banjo. At an early age Seth began playing music with his parents and two brothers, leading to the three brothers releasing their debut album 'Three Piece Suite' in 1994. in 2001 after three albums and tours of the UK, Europe and United States Seth left the group and began a solo career.
Seth's first solo album 'The Punch Bowl' received wide critical acclaim, whilst his second album 'Kitty Jay' was released in 2004 reaching silver status in the UK. This accolade was also achieved by his fourth album 'Poor Man's Heaven' as well as recieving a Mercury Music Prize nomination.
His album 'Freedom Fields' made gold status, making this one of the biggest selling traditionally based folk records ever in the UK. Seth's most recent album 'Word of Mouth' was released in 2014, featuring stories of local Westcountry people and entered the charts at No.20.
Rochelle Clark
Rochelle, or “Rocky” as she is usually known, is the most experienced player in the England squad and in her 14th consecutive calendar year at international level. She found rugby when she was 15 with Beaconsfield and, after working her way through the England ranks at U19 and Academy level, achieved her first England cap in 2003 playing against the USA. She has scored 21 Test tries and with 107 caps, is now the most-capped England women’s rugby player.
Rocky has won the Six Nations tournament seven times and achieved six Grand Slams.
Rocky has a BA (Hons) in Sports Science & Coaching from the College of St Mark & St John and is a Level 3 Coach. She mixes playing rugby for Worcester Ladies with her role as Head Coach of the Chesham Stags and Bucks New University and, in what time she has left, is also a personal trainer.
Rocky was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours List for services to rugby.