From the Chancellor – Winter 2009

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Welcome to the Winter 2009 edition of Graduate Contact.

UQ Chancellor John Story

This is my first column for the magazine, and in the months since taking up the role of Chancellor, I have been inspired by the great things that are achieved by those with UQ connections. Serving on the University Senate has been a privilege for the past three years, and I am humbled that my colleagues have now allowed me the opportunity to represent the University in this way.

I had the pleasure of attending, along with some 1200 others, the opening of the Margaret Olley exhibition at the UQ Art Museum in February. It was a wonderful evening (with a record turnout I’m told) that showcased what is possible when universities engage with their communities in positive ways.

The event was also notable as one of the final formal appearances of my predecessor, Sir Llew Edwards. I need not elaborate on Sir Llew’s many achievements in his 16 years as Chancellor other than to say he has left an extraordinary legacy of support for UQ in many circles, something I plan to build upon in the coming years.

I notice in this edition an article about an extended family of UQ alumni attending a memorial lecture to honour a long-serving University academic and relative. Stories like this highlight the history that runs through the University and will be the focus for UQ’s upcoming centenary celebrations, which begin in December and continue into 2010. We hope many of you can join us for this historic occasion.

Incidentally, current alumni figures stand at around 170,000, and this number grows with every graduation ceremony. The Graduate Contact board has wisely decided to create this website, the launch of which coincides with the Winter 2009 edition. This is a vehicle for things not possible in the printed form, such as video and audio recordings, and will also allow the magazine to reach a greater and more global readership. I encourage you to explore the ways in which this site can keep you better posted about what’s happening at The University of Queensland.

Happy reading.

John Story
Chancellor

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