Renaissance man funds research

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Tags: awards and prizes, philanthropy, winter-2012

Dr Donald Tugby (left) with Head of the School of Social Science Professor David Trigger

If Leonardo Da Vinci was the quintessential Renaissance man, then Dr Donald Tugby may well be his heir apparent.

Dr Tugby is an alumnus and major supporter of UQ, having established prizes in archaeology, anthropology, psychology of peace, art history and musicology, with a further six prizes across fields as diverse as veterinary science, music performance and earth science planned, as well as maintenance funds for two of the University’s museums.

Collectively known as the “Donald Tugby Renaissance Prize Endowment”, these prizes are awarded annually for excellence in education and research in the nominated fields, and are a reflection of Dr Tugby’s passions, interests and professional expertise.

Dr Tugby began his career in 1936 as a 15-year-old lab assistant in England. He emigrated to Australia after a five-year stint in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during World War II, earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney. He then went on to do a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Melbourne, his PhD at ANU, and his postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at UQ.

From 1958 until 1986, Dr Tugby lectured in psychology and anthropology at UQ, before training and setting up private practice as an acupuncturist.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Dr Tugby also found time to chair the Psychologists for Peace group for the Australian Psychological Society, breed and train Anglo-Arabian horses, complete a Diploma in Fine Arts and exhibit as an amateur watercolourist.

“I’ve always been excited about the endless possibilities of life and learning; I have worked hard but I’ve also been given some tremendous opportunities,” Dr Tugby said.

“The University of Queensland is a very special place to me. I taught and studied here for many years and it brought me a lot of those opportunities, so it seems natural that I want it to be part of my legacy.

“I want to help this generation reach their potential both as academics and future philanthropists, because that what it’s all about – doing something for other people and encouraging them to pass it on.”

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