BHP Billiton chair Donald Argus, AO, and the first Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands the Right Honorable Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE PC, are among 10 recipients of University of Queensland honorary doctorates this year.
The honorary doctorate awards, based on factors including community service, career distinction and contribution to the University, will be presented as part of UQ’s main annual graduation ceremonies between Monday, December 1, and Monday, December 15, this year.
Also among the 10 is the University’s Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter, who retires from the University after 22 years’ service, on January 28, 2009.
Mr Porter will receive a Doctor of Economics honoris causa at a Faculty of Business Economics and Law graduation ceremony on Monday, December 15, at 6pm. Citation.
One of the most senior statesmen of the South Pacific, Sir Peter Kenilorea, KBE, PC,, is the current Speaker of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. In 1978, upon the nation gaining independence, he became its first Prime Minister. He will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa at a Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 3, at 2pm. Citation.
Donald Argus, AO, began his career in the mailroom of the NAB rising through the ranks to eventually lead the bank as its CEO and Managing Director. A champion of deregulation and globalisation, he will receive a Doctor of Business honoris causa at a Faculty of Business, Economics and Law graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 15, at 2pm. Citation.
The other seven honorary doctorate recipients and the ceremonies at which they will be presented with their awards are listed below:
• Institute for Molecular Bioscience Board Member Dr Frank Gannon, who is also the current Director General of Science Foundation Ireland. He will be presented with a Doctor of Science honoris causa at a Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences graduation ceremony on Monday, December 1, at 2pm. Citation.
• Also receiving an honorary doctorate at this ceremony will be Dr Susan Pond, AM. Dr Pond, who will receive a Doctor of Medicine honoris causa, is the Chair and Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Research Pty Limited, a position she has held since 2003. Citation.
• Noted architect Graham Bligh, whose work included the World Exposition 1988 site and Stadium Australia Melbourne. He will be presented with a Doctor of the University honoris causa. Citation.
• Co-creator of such memorable logos such as the Sydney 2000 Olympics “squiggle”, designer Michael Bryce, AM, AE. Also married to Australia’s first female Governor-General and UQ’s 2008 Alumnus of the Year Her Excellency Dr Quentin Bryce, Mr Bryce will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa. Citation.
• Influential architect who contributed to the look of the St Lucia campus today, John Simpson. Also having a hand in projects such as Gund Hall at Harvard University, Mr Simpson will receive a Doctor of the University honoris causa. Citation.
Mr Bligh, Mr Bryce and Mr Simpson will receive their honorary doctorates at the same Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture graduation ceremony on Wednesday, December 10, at 2pm.
• Founding chair of the Queensland Tourist & Travel Corporation Sir Frank Moore, AO. He will be presented with a Doctor of the University honoris causa at a Faculty of Business, Economics and Law graduation ceremony on Monday, December 15, at 11am. Citation.
• Institute for Molecular Bioscience Board Member and one of the founders of a US-based company pioneering vaccines for malaria, Dr Russell Howard. He will receive a Doctor of Science honoris causa at a Faculty of Health Sciences graduation ceremony on Friday, December 12, at 11am.
Media: Shirley Glaister at UQ Communications (3365 1931).
