Uni of Adelaide celebrates outstanding leaders with honorary doctorates
The Hon. Christopher Pyne with his honorary doctorate from the University of Adelaide.
Starting today, the University of Adelaide will hold 25 graduation ceremonies in historic Bonython Hall across April and May, with more than 5100 conferrals of academic programs to new graduates.
In addition, 10 leaders will be awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Adelaide in recognition of outstanding contributions in their field.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Hoj AC said: “Graduation ceremonies represent the culmination of our students’ hard work and talent, and our staff’s contribution to their learning. They also represent future prosperity and success for our graduates, and for our community.
“It is always an exciting time to be on campus during graduations, and it will be even more so this week as we celebrate these special achievements in a COVID-safe manner.
“Our graduation ceremonies also provide the University with an opportunity to recognise outstanding leaders in their fields, who are to be applauded for their contributions to industry, government, innovation, and to society at large. Many of them are graduates of our University who have gone on to have exceptional careers and have served their nation with distinction,” Professor Hoj said.
All of the University of Adelaide’s graduation ceremonies can be viewed online via livestream: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/live/
Honorary doctorates to be presented during ceremonies in April and May 2021:
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa)
Ms Frances Jennifer Adamson
Ms Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AO
Ms Moya Dodd
Dr James Sunter Muecke AM
The Hon. Christopher Maurice Pyne
Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa)
Ms Pamela Ann Dunsford OAM
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bruce Fincher AO
Dr Stephen Paul Jefferies AM
Emeritus Professor Peter Langridge
Degree of Doctor of Arts (honoris causa)
Dr Peter David Goldsworthy AM
Awardees:
Ms Frances Jennifer Adamson
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of her enormous and continuing contribution to Australian international relations, as a diplomat, advisor, and leader.
Ms Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AO
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of her enduring contribution to the Australian community through public service, first as a federal politician and party leader, and as a leader dedicated to social justice and equality for women and girls and the disadvantaged.
Ms Moya Dodd
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of her sports experience and professional expertise, and her work to further the cause of women’s sport and the role of sport in building community both in Australia and on the world stage.
Dr James Sunter Muecke AM
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of his long and distinguished career as an ophthalmic surgeon, and his abiding commitment to fighting blindness in Australia and in some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities.
The Hon. Christopher Maurice Pyne
Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of his career contribution to the state and the nation in advancing defence, industry and educational opportunities, through his role as a Cabinet Minister of Federal Government and Member in the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Ms Pamela Ann Dunsford OAM
Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of her pioneering work in Australian winemaking, blazing a trail for women winemakers and championing the South Australian wine industry in a career spanning more than 40 years.
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bruce Fincher AO
Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of his distinguished career as a global leader in cereals research, and his work into the structure, biosynthesis, and digestion of plant cell walls, which has fundamentally changed the understanding of plant science.
Dr Stephen Paul Jefferies AM
Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of his significant contribution to Australian agricultural excellence through education, research, and industry development, in a career spanning more than 35 years.
Emeritus Professor Peter Langridge
Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of plant genomics, and his enormous contribution to improving agricultural production in South Australia and beyond over his 30-year career.
Dr Peter David Goldsworthy AM
Degree of Doctor of Arts (honoris causa) in recognition of his enormous creative contribution to literature, and for his support for the creative arts in South Australia and his leadership in arts administration.