First Graduate of University of Leicester – Wendy Hickling (1958)
In 1958 graduating students could choose to be awarded a degree from the University of London or the newly chartered Leicester. Wendy Hickling (nee Baldwin), along with 80 others, choose Leicester and as students went on to the platform to receive their degree in alphabetical order, by chance Wendy became the first graduate, gaining a BA in English.
After graduating, Wendy continued to be heavily involved with University affairs, serving 16 years on Convocation (Leicester Graduates Association) chairing it twice, 20 years on Council, and chairing many and varied subcommittees. Since 1958, Wendy has subsequently been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (1998) and Distinguished Honorary Fellowship (2008).