Eddie Jordan was today awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University of Ulster (DUniv) at a graduation ceremony held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  The degree, awarded in recognition of his services to international sport, was presented to him by Professor John Wilson. 

In his acceptance speech, Eddie thanked the University of Ulster for its work on behalf of all of this year’s graduates.  "The sound education I received in Dublin has stood me in good stead throughout my 35-year career in motor racing, and to get the best out of education, you need to set very clear targets and goals for yourself.  Having worked with some of the sport’s top drivers, I have learned that to succeed with your targets, you need total belief in yourself.  With education, clear goals and self-belief, you can achieve your ambitions in life."

Speaking about the graduation ceremony, which he attended with his wife Marie, Jordan said afterwards, "Today has been a wonderful experience and the people of Northern Ireland have treated us superbly.  It is a proud moment and I am thrilled to have been honoured in this way."

Joining Eddie Jordan in receiving the University’s top honours was champion jockey and close friend Tony McCoy.  Also present was Karolyn Gaston, a Club Jordan member who graduated with BA (Hons) in Combined Studies and fulfilled a dream by having her graduation photograph taken with Eddie Jordan.  Over the next three days more than 2,500 students who studied at the University’s (coincidentally named) Jordanstown and Belfast campuses will receive awards ranging from diplomas to degrees and doctorates. The University of Ulster is Northern Ireland’s largest university, with the Jordanstown campus alone incorporating 12,000 students.