Harper Adams University Chancellor HRH The Princess Royal presented three honours during this week’s celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Thomas Harper Adams.
Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contribution to international business, particularly the development of new markets for agricultural machinery and technologies. Mrs Claas-Mühlhäuser’s 92-year-old father Helmut Claas travelled to Shropshire for the presentation.
Sir Algernon Heber-Percy, Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to county life. Sir Algernon explained that he first became involved with the university when his own farm needed advice on potato growing around 15 years ago.
Alison Blackburn, former University governor and an agricultural advisor throughout her career, received a University Fellowship (pictured). She said on the day, “It’s a fantastic honour. When I opened the letter I couldn’t believe it. I thought ‘gosh, I left Harper a while ago!’ But I still love it and I come back for every possible event I can. This is really a place where you can achieve something; you can make something of yourself.”
