Sheffield-born US Open golf champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Special Olympics Great Britain athlete Niall Guite are set to receive honorary degrees from Sheffield Hallam University. This distinguished recognition will take place during the University’s graduation ceremonies in November, where they will be honoured alongside five other notable figures from diverse fields such as health, science, business, and the arts.

Matt Fitzpatrick, a remarkable talent in the world of golf, first gained international attention by winning the US Amateur title at the tender age of 18. He turned professional in 2013 and quickly made his mark by securing his first professional tournament victory at the British Masters in 2015. In 2022, Matt achieved one of the highest honours in professional golf by winning the US Open, firmly establishing himself as one of the sport’s elite players. Additionally, he has represented Europe in three Ryder Cup tournaments, further solidifying his prestigious career. Reflecting on this honour, Matt said, “It is an honour to be presented with this award. I am proud to be recognised alongside leaders in education, business, entertainment, and so many more.”

Niall Guite is an inspiring Special Olympics GB athlete who has made significant contributions in basketball and cycling. Representing Sheffield and Yorkshire, Niall won a gold medal in basketball at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles in 2015. He continued to excel in sports, earning a gold and silver medal in cycling at the World Games in Berlin in 2023. Recently elected to the Special Olympics Regional Athlete Leadership Council for 2024-27, Niall is committed to ensuring that athletes’ voices are heard throughout the organization.

In addition to his sporting achievements, Niall has ventured into social entrepreneurship. In 2021, he launched ‘Art with a Special Goal,’ a unique enterprise selling original artwork depicting aerial views of stadiums. His artistic talents extended to illustrating his first book, “Ready Set Bubble,” which focuses on equity in sports. Over the past year, Niall has garnered numerous accolades for his disability advocacy, including the Breaking Down Barriers Award at the Autism and Learning Disability Awards 2023, the Champion for Change Award at Variety’s Disability Sports Awards 2024, and Disability Sport Yorkshire’s Sports Personality of the Year 2024. Expressing his gratitude, Niall said, “I feel very proud to have been offered this award. I am happy to be sharing this moment with my family, friends, and community. Being recognised in this way is very special, and as someone with a learning disability, I want this to be a message to everyone that we all have a responsibility to help each other be the best we can possibly be.”

The other honorary degree recipients include esteemed individuals from various fields who have made substantial contributions to society. Professor Liz Mossop, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, stated: “We are incredibly proud to announce this year’s honorary awards recipients. They embody the values of Sheffield Hallam University and have made outstanding contributions to society in their respective fields. All of this year’s recipients already have strong links to Sheffield or the University, and we know they will inspire our graduating students as they move to the next stage in their lives. We are very much looking forward to welcoming them to our community.”