‘Giant of the media industry in Wales’ awarded Honorary Fellowship

Miss Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Pro-Chancellor, with Euryn Ogwen Williams, Honorary Fellow

The broadcaster and seminal figure in Welsh media, Euryn Ogwen Williams, has been honoured as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University in recognition of his contribution to the cultural life of Wales.

Brought up in Leeswood near Mold in Flintshire, Euryn Ogwen Williams graduated from the University of Wales Bangor in Philosophy and Psychology.

From 1964-1981, he produced and directed a wide range of programmes for BBC, ITV company Television Wales and the West (TWW) and HTV as well as the independent sector.

When Welsh language broadcaster S4C was set up in 1982, he became its first Director of Programmes, and was the channel’s deputy Chief Executive Officer from 1988 until 1991.

In March 2018 he led an independent review of S4C for the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. 

He has published two volumes of poetry and a series of papers on the changing media scene. He lectures and advises on media and is a regular contributor to television and radio programmes. 

Euryn Ogwen Williams was presented by Dr Jamie Medhurst from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies on Wednesday 18 July 2018. The full conferral presentation is available below.

Presentation of Euryn Ogwen Williams by Dr Jamie Medhurst:

Dirprwy Ganghellor, Is-Ganghellor, darpar raddedigion, gyfeillion. Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno Euryn Ogwen Williams yn Gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Pro Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, prospective graduates and supporters.  It is an honour and a privilege to present Euryn Ogwen Williams as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

In his biography, Euryn describes himself as a ‘media consultant’. But the man you see before you is much more than this. He is a giant of the media industry in Wales, with a career in broadcasting which spans over fifty years.

Fe’i ganed ym Mhenmachno yng Ngwynedd a’i fagu yn Leeswood, ger Yr Wyddgrug yn Sir y Fflint. And when the time came to fly the nest he attended what was then the University College of North Wales Bangor (but we’ll forgive him for that) and graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Psychology.

He began his illustrious career as a presenter with the ITV company Television Wales and the West, TWW, based in Cardiff – I could sing you the TWW station ident – or maybe we could duet – or maybe not … see me after, maybe. He went on to produce and direct a wide range of programmes for TWW, Harlech Television/HTV, BBC and the independent sector. 

Euryn oedd Cyfarwyddwr Rhaglenni cyntaf S4C cyn symud i swydd y Dirprwy Brif Weithredwr ym 1988. Mae hefyd wedi gweithredu fel ymgynghorydd arbennig ar deledu Gaeleg yn Yr Alban, ar deledu yn yr iaith Wyddeleg ac fel ymghynghorydd i Bwyllgor Diwylliant Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru yn ystod yr adolygiad i’r iaith Gymraeg.

In March 2018 he completed and published an independent review of S4C for the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the UK government and was giving evidence on the report to the Welsh Affairs Committee a fortnight ago.

Mae Euryn wedi cyhoeddi dwy gyfrol o farddoniaeth yn ogystal â chyhoeddi nifer o bapurau a phamffledi ar y byd cyfryngol. In addition to publishing two volumes of poetry he was the president of the Vale of Glamorgan National Eisteddfod in 2012 and he and his wife Jenny live in Barry and have two children and three grandchildren – plenty to keep him busy!

Wedi cyfraniad oes i’r byd darlledu, mae’n gwbl briodol i Euryn dderbyn Tlws Cyfraniad Oes yng Ngŵyl Ffilm Bae Caerfyrddin yn 2016.

His contribution to the world of broadcasting was acknowledged in 2016 when he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival. And if you’re planning to attend the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff this year, BAFTA Cymru have an evening to pay tribute to Euryn for his remarkable contribution to Welsh broadcasting – or as BAFTA say, to pay tribute to his ‘influential career’.

Ond dyma’n cyfle ni i dalu teyrnged am gyfraniad Euryn i fywyd diwylliannol Cymru. Today, however, we have an opportunity to thanks Euryn and to honour him for his contribution to the cultural life of Wales.

Dirprwy Ganghellor, mae’n bleser gen i gyflwyno Euryn Ogwen Williams i chi yn Gymrawd. 

Pro Chancellor, it is my absolute pleasure to present Euryn Ogwen Williams to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University. 

Aberystwyth University Honours 2018

Nine individuals are being honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2018 graduation ceremonies, which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 17 July until Friday 20 July.

Six Honorary Fellowships will be presented to individuals who have, or have had a connection with Aberystwyth or Wales, and who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field.

One Honorary Doctorate will also be presented; recognising an individual who has been outstandingly successful in their field, or who has a long record of renowned research and publication.

Two Honorary Bachelor degrees will be presented.  These are presented to individuals who are members of Aberystwyth University staff without an entry-level degree in recognition of long-service, contribution and dedication to the Institution; and members of the local community who have made a significant contribution to Aberystwyth and the area.

Honorary Fellowships:

Honorary Fellowships will be presented to:

• Professor Ann Sumner - art historian, exhibition curator and museum director
• Bonamy Grimes MBE - web entrepreneur and co-founder of flight price comparison website Skyscanner
• Euryn Ogwen Williams - broadcaster and seminal figure in Welsh media
• John Dawes OBE - former international rugby union player and coach
• Professor Menna Elfyn - award-winning poet and playwright
• His Honour Judge Milwyn Jarman QC - leading judge.

Author and scholar the late Professor Meic Stephens was presented with an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University on Thursday 3 May 2018 at a special ceremony in Cardiff. Sadly, Professor Stephens died on Tuesday 3 July 2018.

Honorary Doctorate

An Honorary Doctorate will be presented to technology entrepreneur and software designer, John Thompson.

Honorary Bachelor Degrees:

An Honorary Bachelor of Science Degree will be presented to retired Station Manager of Aberystwyth Fire Station, Eric Harries, who organised and led 50 humanitarian missions to Eastern Europe to help the innocent victims of war.

An Honorary Bachelor of Arts Degree will be awarded to Sue Jones-Davies, actor and singer, town councillor and former Mayor of Aberystwyth.

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