UQ welcomes new Chancellor

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Tags: Chancellor, John Story, winter-2009

The University’s new Chancellor is John Story, a highly experienced corporate leader with strong familial, professional and personal links to UQ.

Members of UQ’s governing body, Senate, voted Mr Story into the honorary position, which carries important governance, ceremonial and symbolic responsibilities.

UQ Chancellor John Story

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield congratulated Mr Story, and said his acceptance of the role showed a generous commitment to serving UQ and the broader community.

“John’s paternal grandfather, John Douglas (‘JD’) Story, was UQ’s first full-time Vice-Chancellor, serving in an honorary capacity, and John has continued the affiliation by studying here and formerly giving legal advice to UQ,” Professor Greenfield said.

“He has held two voluntary positions, as a Senator since May 2006 and formerly as an Adjunct Professor, and whilst he was a partner of Corrs Chambers Westgarth he initiated supportive links between the legal firm and UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law.

“He is a lawyer with deep and broad corporate experience, being chairman of Suncorp-Metway, Tabcorp Holdings and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a director of CSR, and a member of the Queensland Public Service Commission.

“John’s loyalty to UQ and his extensive business experience are fitting qualities for the Chancellor who will take UQ – which will mark its centenary in 2010 – into its second century.”

Mr Story thanked his Senate peers for honouring him with the position, and paid tribute to his predecessor Sir Llew Edwards AC, who was Chancellor for 16 years.

“I look forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor to fulfil the office’s duty of maintaining high standards of accountability by the University executive to the Senate,” Mr Story said.

“Equally importantly, this office encompasses the spirit, traditions and values of Queensland’s oldest university, and it grants opportunities for interaction with members of the UQ community and with partners in the broader community.

“Sir Llew was a superb Chancellor, and I am very conscious of the responsibilities associated with being his successor.”

Mr Story’s term as Chancellor will extend until December 31, 2012.

By Fiona Kennedy

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