Tuesday 10 May 2022 saw a historic first for the university, as Associate Professor Gabrielle Neher took up the enigmatic role of Esquire Bedell – the traditionally male mace holder at graduation ceremonies.
The Esquire Bedell forms part of the academic procession for graduations and is easily recognised as the officer who carries the university’s mace to the stage and back.
Although not the first female Esquire Bedell in the country (that honour falls to Dr Nicola Hardy of the University of Cambridge) Gaby became the first woman to hold the role in the university’s 141-year history, and was honoured to have taken part.
She said: “I feel enormously privileged to have been selected to become the first female holder of this role at Nottingham. Representation matters, and placing women in key ceremonial roles that are highly visible at graduation reflects our community at the university better."
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