Northeastern Chancellor Ken Henderson Receives OBE from Royal Family

WINDSOR, England — On July 22, 2025, Ken Henderson, Chancellor and Senior Vice President for Learning at Northeastern University, was honored with the title of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Princess Anne during a formal investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. This prestigious recognition acknowledges Henderson's significant contributions to strengthening educational partnerships between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Henderson's appointment is particularly notable as it reflects his commitment to advancing global education. Princess Anne, sister to King Charles III, demonstrated her familiarity with Northeastern's dual-degree programs during their conversation, inquiring specifically about the structure and benefits of these initiatives. "She seemed to be very impressed by that," Henderson remarked, highlighting the depth of their discussion regarding the advantages of obtaining degrees from both the U.S. and the U.K. for students seeking international career opportunities.

The Order of the British Empire was established in 1917 by King George V to honor civilians for their service, particularly during World War I when military honors were more prevalent. According to Dr. Michael Peplar, Associate Professor of History at Northeastern University in London, the OBE is awarded to individuals for extraordinary contributions across various fields, including education, arts, science, and charitable work. “Nominations are made by government officials and are limited to a hundred or so per year,” Peplar stated, emphasizing the significance of this honor in the U.K.

Henderson expressed surprise and gratitude upon receiving the call from the British consul general to New England, informing him of his inclusion in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List. This accolade places him among notable figures, including British actor Keira Knightley and musician Damon Albarn, both of whom have also been appointed OBEs.

Following the ceremony, Henderson reflected on his career achievements, particularly his role in establishing Northeastern’s presence in London. Since the university's merger with the former New College of the Humanities in 2019, he has been instrumental in creating educational programs that have benefited thousands of students. "At Northeastern, we’ve developed a whole series of programs within the U.K., so hundreds of thousands of students at this point have benefited from these programs," he stated.

Henderson, a native of East Kilbride, Scotland, earned both his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from the University of Strathclyde. His international education experience began with postdoctoral research at Brown University in Rhode Island, which paved the way for a 14-year tenure at the University of Notre Dame, where he focused on forming strategic international partnerships. He joined Northeastern in 2016 as the Dean of the College of Science and was later appointed as the university’s first chancellor.

The investiture ceremony was a personal milestone for Henderson, not only because of the honor itself but also due to his family connections to the royal recognition. His paternal grandfather, Peter Henderson, was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1953 for his services to the mining industry.

Accompanied by his wife, Liz, and his parents during the ceremony, Henderson described the experience as “fantastic,” noting the significance of being honored by his home country. The couple had previously visited Windsor Castle as students but had never toured the interior until their recent visit.

As Henderson continues to lead Northeastern University in advancing educational opportunities across its global campuses, this recognition serves as a testament to the impact of his work in fostering international collaboration in higher education. The ongoing development of dual-degree programs remains a key focus for the university, as it seeks to enhance the educational landscape and provide students with valuable global experiences.