Television presenter receives honorary degree
Journalist, television presenter and graduate, Ricky Boleto, received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Southampton Solent University today (Tuesday 19 November), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.
Born in London in 1985, Ricky currently reports and presents for BBC's children's Newsround and consumer advice programme, Watchdog. He is a former student of Southampton Solent University and graduated in 2006 from BA (Hons) Journalism.
After graduation, he joined the Channel 5 News team as a reporter and became their youngest on-screen presenter at just 21 years old.
His talent was spotted by the BBC Newsround team and, following an audition, Ricky was offered his dream job in 2008.
Since joining the team he has been nominated for a BAFTA for his work on ‘Hard Times – A Newsround Special.’ The documentary looked at how the UK’s money troubles are affecting kids.
Other assignments include travelling to America to cover the US election, and fronting the CBBC’s coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.
More recently Ricky has also been presenting on BBC One’s flagship consumer affairs programme ‘Watchdog.’
Ricky hopes he will continue to inspire future news reporters from a very young age and that Newsround will encourage them to consider journalism as a career.
On receiving his honorary degree, Ricky said, “I’m very proud to accept this honorary Master of Arts degree from Southampton Solent University. During my three years at Solent, I learnt and honed the skills needed to tell powerful stories - even during fire drills in the halls of residence I was pestering the firemen for a quote for a potential story.”
He added: “I wish everyone the best of luck in their future careers. Don’t let go of those passions you had at the beginning of your degrees – keep that drive and go for it!”
The university awards honorary degrees to academics and professionals who have made an outstanding contribution in their field of expertise during its annual graduation ceremonies which take place at Southampton Guildhall from 18-22 November 2013.
This year, for the first time, Southampton Solent University is also awarding honorary degrees to two of its own graduates who have achieved notable success at an early stage of their careers - Ricky Boletto and Southampton-based lawyer Jojar Heera Singh Taak.
More than 2500 students are graduating from Southampton Solent University with degrees and professional qualifications in subject areas ranging from journalism to sport science, fashion to yacht-design, and business management to TV and film production.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students.
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