Gongs and greats
From a host of renowned honorary graduates to celebrity Chancellors and Nobel Prize winners, we've attracted some great people to Sussex over the last 60 years. See our timeline of achievements below.
1957
Helena Normanton QC, the first woman to practise at the Bar in England, is the first person to pledge a gift to help found the University.
1967
Renowned historian appointed as Vice-Chancellor.
1975
Professor is awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
1976
Sussex grad Brendan Foster wins Bronze in the 10,000 metres at the Montreal Olympics.
1981
Sussex alumnus, Len Garrison, co-founds the . Image courtesy of the Garrison family and Black Cultural Archives.
1988
Sir Paul McCartney and Bodyshop founder, Anita Roddick, receive honorary degrees.
1996
Richard Attenborough installed as fourth Chancellor.
1999
Eminent biologist John Maynard Smith awarded Crafoord Prize.
2002
Professor awarded OBE for services to cognitive science.
2003
Professor Anthony Leggett wins the Nobel Prize for Physics.
2004
Alumnus wins the Turner Prize.
2005
Alumnus Michael Fuller becomes the UK’s first black Chief Constable.
2014
Alumna Zhang Xin listed as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes.
2018
Journalist and activist Hella Pick CBE receives honorary degree from Sussex.
2021
Alumnus Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, at the Grammy Awards.
2022
Director for the Student Experience, Jayne Aldridge, awarded an MBE for services to students in higher education. Sussex tops QS World University Rankings by Subject for Development Studies for sixth year in a row.