This was first posted in early 2008, but was lost in the transition to a new hosting site. Folks keep asking for it, so I’m recreating it here:
Every news account I’ve read, concerning Paul Potts’ educational background, says that he graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in “Philosophy, Theology, and Film and TV studies.” I have spoken of this in earlier posts, like this one, and I am fully aware that probably no one but me (and maybe Paul) really cares what he studied in college. The man can sing. That’s all we are really concerned about. Right?
Well, I have this idea that Paul Potts has a mission beyond singing popera and that it is primarily of a philosophical/theological bent. So: I care. It has taken awhile, but I now have official news to report from the schools in question. Those who want to know exactly what Paul studied and from where he was graduated, read on.
Press accounts, to this point, have indicated that Paul received his diploma from “The University” in Plymouth, England. That would be the University of Plymouth, then…right? Wrong. According to Paola Simoneschi, PR manager at that fine school, Paul did not graduate there. Paola was, however, able to point me in the correct direction: Marjon.
After a bit of delay, owing to a critical staffer being on holiday, the confirmation has arrived from my heroine, Kate Lister. Here is what she says:
AS promised – here are the details:
Paul Robert Potts was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Humanities Second Class Honours Division Two on 29th June 1993.
And, as I promised Kate, who is Marketing and PR Advisor at Marjon–and why, oh why is she not on the Paul Potts team? The lady is a gem–here is a link to the University College Plymouth St. Mark & St. John. Yes, Saint Mark’s and Saint John’s, packing “over 150 Years of heritage, tradition and experience” is now a University College! And a good one…As for Paul Potts…a Humanities major. Nothing wrong with that, but maybe all my enthusiasm about this philosopher/king business has been in vain. Oh, well. Then again, maybe not. We’ll see.
[…] them back and take the leap into the life they had previously only dreamed of. Beginning with the Paul Potts story, in 2006, I wanted to know how major changes in the direction of one’s life […]