The world of British academia is welcoming Brian May with open arms, with the Queen guitarist and astrophysicist named a university chancellor on Monday.
Liverpool John Moores University announced that May β already named an honorary fellow of the school earlier this year β will be installed as chancellor in early 2008.
Brian May will be installed as chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University in early 2008.
(Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)
May's appointment will position him as the figurehead leader of the school, which includes a distinguished astrophysics research institute. According to the school, the chancellor helps raise the profile of the institution and acts as an ambassador for the school, its staff and students.
His predecessor in the post is barrister Cherie Booth, the wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair who ended her seven-year term in 2006.
"In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment," the university's vice-chancellor, Michael Brown, said in a statement.
May, who was an astrophysics student when he formed Queen with Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, was eventually forced to abandon his studies and his doctoral thesis because of the band's massive success during the 1970s.
Over the years, however, he continued to pursue an interest in the field, including appearing on the BBC radio show The Sky at Night with astronomer Patrick Moore and co-writing the 2006 book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.
Also last year, he decided to return to his studies. This past August, the 60-year-old rock music icon successfully defended his 48,000-word thesis and was awarded a doctorate.
May described his appointment as chancellor "a great honour and a great new challenge."
With files from the Associated PressRelated
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