The University of New England Council has announced Dr Sarah Pearson as UNE’s next Chancellor, after farewelling Dr James Harris who said “it’s time” to step down.
“For me and the university, which now needs a set of fresh eyes and a breath of fresh air,” said the great-grandson of Thomas Richmond Forster.
It was Thomas who gifted his family home Booloominbah to the University of Sydney on the condition that it become the cornerstone of a regional university, thereby paving the way for UNE’s precursor – the New England University College – in 1937.
About 150 people gathered on the lawns of Booloominbah this week to farewell UNE’s long-serving Chancellor, James Harris. Speakers and guests reflected on James’ 30 years on the UNE Council – including a decade as Chancellor and seven years as Deputy Chancellor. Hi ten years at the helm was a welcome calm after the turmoil and corruption-tainted haze of John Cassidy and Richard Torbay.
Current Deputy Chancellor Jan McClelland AM and Vice-Chancellor Chris Moran both spoke of James’ dedication and loyalty to the university, his quiet philanthropy, his commitment to students, and his involvement in many graduation ceremonies.
Dr Harris’ replacement, Dr Sarah Pearson has an impressive and diverse background in Australia and internationally in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, investment, economic development and industrial strategy. She has previously served in leadership roles across higher education, industry and government sectors.
These include Ministerial appointment to the Australian National University Council, Chief Scientist and Chief Innovation Officer at the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Chief Executive Officer at ANU Enterprise and Global Head of Open Innovation at Cadbury. She holds a PhD from Oxford University in Particle Physics.
Sarah currently serves on the Board of the Commonwealth Treasury’s Foreign Investment Review Board, the Investment Committee at Main Sequence Ventures and a number of commercial and not-for-profit Boards. She has a strong commitment to Australia’s economic and social future, and her advice has led to long lasting impact regionally, nationally and internationally.
UNE’s Deputy Chancellor Jan McClelland says Sarah has strong connections with UNE, Armidale and the New England region through her family and her work as a Physics academic at UNE from 2000 to 2006, during which time she lived in Armidale with her family.
“At UNE, her passion for “leaving no one behind” led Sarah to drive regional engagement, encouraging young people to see science and university study as a great option for them,” Ms McClelland said.
“She founded ‘Science in the Bush’ and the Armidale branch of the ‘Science and Engineering Challenge’, drawing hundreds of young people to the UNE campus, as well as visiting schools in the region. She continues to be committed to encouraging young women into science and leadership.”
“As Chancellor, Dr Pearson will bring to the University a wealth of experience, connectivity and ambition for UNE. Her vision and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the University Council and the broader UNE community in advancing our strategy in 2025 and beyond,” Ms McClelland said.
“I also recognise again the significant contribution of our outgoing Chancellor, Dr James Harris, and I thank him sincerely for his three decades of service to the University.”
Dr Pearson commences in the role of UNE Chancellor on 20 November 2024.
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