THE DEAN of Worcester has received an Honorary University Fellowship.
The Very Revd Dr Stephen Edwards received the special honour during Worcester University’s graduation week.
Stephen was educated at Lancaster University and trained for ministry at Wescott House, Cambridge.
In 2016, he obtained the degree of doctor of practical theology at Manchester University. His thesis, titled “A Critical Exploration of the Ministry of a White Priest within a Black-Majority Congregation”, reflects on his ministry in Manchester.
Stephen was ordained in 1996 and served his curacy in the parish of Colwyn Bay, in the Diocese of St Asaph, Wales. From 1999, he served as priest-in-charge at St Agnes Birch-in-Rusholme, with St John with St Cyprian Longsight, in the Diocese of Manchester. From 2012 he served as team rector of Wythenshawe and in 2013 he was additionally appointed area dean, Withington.
In 2019, Stephen was appointed residentiary canon at Worcester Cathedral, named as vice-dean in 2021, interim dean in 2023, and then installed as dean of Worcester in September 2024.
Honorary University Fellowships are bestowed upon persons of distinction or those who have rendered significant service to the university or the community.
There is an annual call from the university’s honorary awards committee, for university governors, fellows, staff and students to nominate potential fellows, with a detailed justification of how their candidate meets the criteria. These are assessed by the committee and a final selection of five or six per year is agreed.
Fellows join the university’s College of Fellows, which provides opportunities for the individual to support the university in ways that reflect their particular areas of expertise and experience. The College of Fellows was established when the university college received university status in 2005. The fellows are strong ambassadors, enhancing the university’s influence in regional, national and international communities.
The university’s chief executive Prof David Green said: “We are delighted to welcome Dean Stephen into our college of fellows. The university and the cathedral have a long history of partnership working and we are very grateful to be able to host our annual graduation celebrations in the magnificent and historic cathedral each year.
“Dean Stephen has been a wonderful friend of the university for many years, and we are pleased to be able to strengthen this relationship further through the awarding of this fellowship, which also recognises his deep commitment to the city of Worcester.”
Stephen added: “This was an unexpected honour and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to enhance my involvement with the university of Worcester.”
