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Thousands to visit Armidale for Autumn Graduation

March 24, 2006

grad.jpgAbout 2,500 people will join the ranks of The University of New England’s alumni after the University’s Autumn Graduation ceremonies over the next two weeks.

The University expects the four ceremonies (on Friday 31 March, Saturday 1 April, Friday 7 April and Saturday 8 April) to attract about 5,000 visitors to Armidale, including those graduands who are able to attend the ceremonies, members of their families, and friends.

UNE’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew, taking part in the University’s graduation ritual for the first time, will introduce a different distinguished Occasional Address speaker at each ceremony, introduce the recipient of an honorary Doctorate, and present an award for outstanding teaching.

The honorary degree of Doctor of the University will go to Emeritus Professor Jock Anderson, a former Professor of Agricultural Economics at UNE who now lives in the United States and works as a consultant for the International Food Policy Research Institute and the World Bank. Professor Anderson will give the Occasional Address, and receive the honorary Doctorate, at the ceremony on Friday 31 March. During that ceremony the Chancellor, Mr John Cassidy, will present testamurs to graduands from the Faculty of Economics, Business and Law.

On the following day, Dr John Scott, a Senior Lecturer in UNE’s School of Social Science, will receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award recognises Dr Scott’s outstanding achievements in his teaching of criminology. The Occasional Address speaker at that ceremony – for graduands from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – will be George Torbay, Chief Conductor of Choral Music for the Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education and Training. Among Mr Torbay’s many achievements was the conducting and recording of the National Anthem for the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and members of the Sing 2001 Choir.

The speaker on Friday 7 April, at the ceremony for people receiving degrees in Sciences and Health, will be Professor Mary O’Kane, who was Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide, and later became Vice-Chancellor of that university (1996-2001). The speaker on Saturday 8 April (Education and Professional Studies) will be Dr Paul Brock, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership Development for the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Along with their degree testamurs, seventeen graduands will receive the New England Award. They have qualified for this award by achieving a high level of involvement in extra-curricular activities – including leadership positions, community work, and additional training. They will be the second cohort of UNE graduates to receive the award.

Robyn Muldoon from UNE’s Teaching and Learning Centre, who manages the New England Award, said that last year’s recipients had found it very useful. “One graduate, who has successfully found work in his chosen field, reported that the award had built his confidence in his capabilities,” Ms Muldoon said. “His employer was impressed by the award, as it gave an indication of his commitment to achieving his goals. It was discussed in his interview when he was asked to give examples of his skills and abilities.”

Posted by J Scanlan at March 24, 2006 04:23 PM