NICK CAVE - CAVE PRESENTED WITH HONORARY DEGREE

Australian rocker NICK CAVE can now add doctor to his resume, after receiving an honorary degree from his old university. The Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds frontman returned to his alma mater, the University of Monash, in Melbourne, Australia on Friday (28Mar08), where he was presented with the Doctor of Laws honour. The 50-year-old studied for a Diploma of Art and Design at the university in his early 20s, but abandoned his academic studies to pursue a career in music. But at the presentation ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard hailed Cave as one of Australia's most successful and prominent artists. He told audience members, "Nick Cave's substantial achievements in the creative arts and in raising Australia's profile internationally make him a worthy candidate for recognition by Monash University. "In addition to his musical contributions, Nick Cave has shown an outstanding ability to contribute to writing and acting - he is truly an extraordinary creative talent." John Redmond, the Dean of the Faculty of Art + Design, added: "The Faculty of Art + Design is a community that fosters student creativity and inquiry and, as Nick Cave shows, encourages experimentation and excellence in many artistic spheres. "I am delighted that we can call Nick Cave a Monash graduate."