Stadium of Light takes the honours

Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, will be a guest speaker at the Stadium of Light next week when it hosts the University of Sunderland's graduation ceremonies.

More than 10,000 students will visit the stadium for the five-day-long academic awards ceremonies.

Kate Adie, the Sunderland-born journalist and an honorary professor of journalism at the University of Sunderland, is also a guest speaker.

Among those who will receive an honorary degree are Estelle Morris, the former Labour MP, and ex-Olympic swimmer Nick Gillingham.

The ceremonies will take place within the Stadium of Light seating bowl, on a specially erected stage above the tunnel.