Dance music fans around the world are usually familiar with Richie Hawtin and his diverse musical talents and considerable contributions to the world of dance music. Today Richie Hawtin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Huddersfield for his outstanding contribution to the world of music technology. One of eight recipients from the worlds of media, science, enterprise, politics and the arts, Hawtin joins a notable collection of former recipients including Burberry’s chief executive officer Christopher Bailey and Professor Brian Cox.
His most recent venture, the musical education platform titled CNTRL that toured across college campuses in the United States, was one of the many reasons Hawtin was chosen for this prestigious honor. Not only working to further education of music technology, Richie Hawtin has worked tirelessly with music software companies such as Native Instruments, Ableton, and Subpac to further the limits of this technology. He has even created his own company, Liine, focused on development of apps to control the DAW software and help change the way people interact with their software.
Richie Hawtin states:
“Today I went back to University and had the great privilege to accept the Honorary Doctorate from The University of Huddersfield – a faculty renowned worldwide for its attention and innovations with technology. I thank the University of Huddersfield for the honor of this award and congratulate the graduating class from the Music & Technology faculty! At its core, technology based music is driven by the constant innovation and development of technology. It is my belief that this is what will forever keep us feeling challenged, excited and inspired for what lies just around the corner.”
Keep up the pioneering effort Richie and know that there is an entire generation of electronic music enthusiasts who may follow in your footsteps.