Happy 50th Lumen!

The first issue of Lumen was published on October 27, 1972.

It was created, in part, to set up better communications in advance of the 100th birthday of the University. Now we prepare for next year’s 150th celebrations.

Described then as “The University of Adelaide Newsletter”, the very first editor was Mr Ian Leggoe, the University’s Information Officer and a former journalist with the West Australian newspaper.

He noted, as he explained the reasoning behind the creation of this new publication, that the University had grown substantially and reached the stage where it “is now one of the major employers in Adelaide”.

“Accompanying this growth in numbers has been increasing diversification and specialisation in the many areas of study throughout the University.

“Gone is the day when everyone knew each other and interesting activities were known to those outside the department involved.

“This breakdown in communication within the University is reflected in the general public’s lack of knowledge of the positive activities of the University.

“The result is that the more newsworthy – though frequently less worthy – activities are the main factors on which the public builds its opinion of the University.”

It was ever thus.

For the then looming Centenary of the University, Mr Leggoe informed his readers that it would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the University’s Waite Research Institute at Urrbrae in 1924 – now with its own centenary on the horizon.

Special attention was being given to planning the celebrations, he said, “so that they would appeal to as many members of the public as possible”.

Events under consideration included visits by overseas scholars, special concerts, historical exhibitions and open days.

During the past 50 years, Lumen has been hard at work, changing shape and audiences to suit the mood and needs of its creators, but the central purposes remain – to inform and to engage people in the life of the extraordinary village that is the University of Adelaide.

In the next few issues, we are planning to give Lumen a polish so it is ready for our 150th, brushing up its content and appearance, and creating new ways for it to shine digitally as it strides into its next 50 years.

I hope Mr Leggoe would have approved.

The next 50 years – moving Lumen forward

This issue of Lumen is the first step in a progression we hope will lead to us having better conversations with our readers – our alumni family, our staff, our faculty, our students, and our community.

New features this issue include a shift in focus towards a much broader range of content and story topics.

We are aiming in this issue, with its theme of sustainability, to showcase a broad array of activities from faculties across the University.

In future issues, we’d also like to include more input from you. This includes your feedback and thoughts on this current issue.

Letters to the Editor are most welcome. Details of where to send them are on page three.

In the future, as our online presence evolves and improves, we plan to introduce new video and audio content.We will also investigate better ways to keep you in touch with other alumni, and the University, through networking, educational and reunion activities.

New sections are also likely to include “Class Notes” (updating your life and career progression), and “In Memoriam” (an opportunity to remember colleagues and loved ones).

Our next issue, due in October (publishing gods willing), will explore the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

How recent developments – most notably through the release of new and seemingly much improved free programming called ChatGPT – will impact on our lives is yet to be seen.

The range of implications appear to be enormous. As Google CEO Sundar Pichai so eloquently said in 2016: “AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than, I dunno, electricity or fire.”

End of humanity, or a boon to us all? You are most welcome to share your thoughts in a letter or email.

Mark Douglas, Editor