Champagne, brass bands, gowns and flags added to the fanfare for the special ceremony at the Sir Tom Cowie lecture theatre, St Peter's Campus.

The Olympic silver medallist said: "I am looking forward to my new role because this is something that ties me back to my roots in the North East.

"I will not just be up for the ceremonies, sitting in the background somewhere, I will be putting myself behind the university 100 per cent."

Steve received a sports studies degree from Sunderland in 1983 and returned three years later to pick up an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to sport.

Continuing his ties with the university he became Honorary President of the Alumni Association in 1994 and yesterday took up the role as Chancellor.

Film-maker Lord David Puttnam, who retired from the post last year, said: "I really enjoyed my role here for 10 official years, more than anything else I have ever done.

"I feel brilliant about today and I am happy to hand the role over to Steve – if I can catch him."

Steve, one of the world's most successful middle distance athletes, is Chairman of the English Institute for Sport, the BBC's chief athletics commentator and sports writer for the Guardian.

The father-of-two, originally from Gateshead, said he was glad to be back in Sunderland.

He said: "Sunderland has come a long way and the development of the university has helped to transform the city and change the way people see it.

"When you travel the world you see the power that education has."
Professor Peter Fidler, vice-chancellor of the University of

Sunderland, said he looked forward to working with Steve and was delighted the university would have such a great ambassador.

He said: "Steve proved himself to be one of the very best athletes of his time – in an era when there were so many.

"Since then it is probably no surprise that he has gone on to become one of the finest commentators and experts in athletics.

"Add to that his commitment to charity and public life and you have an inspirational leader who will be a great example to our students, and staff."