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Adelaidean - News from the ³ÉÈË´óƬ
November 2010 Issue
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Graduations 2010

The ³ÉÈË´óƬ's September graduation ceremonies were marked by a number of firsts.

They were the first graduation ceremonies to be presided over by the University's new Chancellor, the Hon. Robert Hill.

It was also the first time that the ceremonies were broadcast via live video streaming on the Internet, meaning family, friends and others who were unable to attend could still watch the ceremonies live.

More than 1600 students graduated at the September ceremonies, which also saw arts, music and speedway entrepreneur Kym Bonython AC and two distinguished scientists, Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews, awarded honorary doctorates.

They were admitted to the degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society.

Mr Bonython was a schoolboy when he presented his first radio jazz program in 1937. He went on to become a long-time broadcaster and major promoter of jazz music in Australia over many years.

He was a competitor and promoter at Rowley Park Speedway from 1954 to 1973 and also a champion speedboat racer.

He also contributed significantly to the Australian arts community as a serious collector, gallery owner, writer and member of many arts boards and committees.

Mr Bonython was made both an Officer (1981) and Companion (1987) of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the arts and the community.

Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews are both Bachelor of Science and PhD graduates of the ³ÉÈË´óƬ and have gone on to make outstanding contributions in the field of structural biology.

Professor Colman determined the structure of a protein on the influenza virus using x-ray crystallography and led the development of the world's first anti-influenza drug, Relenza. Relenza and the related drug Tamiflu are used around the world to combat influenza pandemics.

Professor Colman is Head of the Structural Biology Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Victoria and has won many awards, including the Australia Prize in 1996.

Professor Brian Matthews, Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon and one-time postdoctoral supervisor of Peter Colman's, is an international leader in structural biology, with the use of x-ray and other imaging techniques at the heart of his work. His work in determining the structures of proteins has been immensely important in human health and drug development. He was awarded a Doctor of Science by the ³ÉÈË´óƬ in 1986 in recognition of his research and publications in this field.

Videos of the September 2010 graduation ceremonies are still available to view online. Simply go to:

Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews rejoined their <i>alma mater</i> on 29 September to receive honorary degrees from the University.  Both are Science PhD graduates from the University, and both have gone on to excel in their chosen fields.
Photo by Wayne England

Professors Peter Colman and Brian Matthews rejoined their alma mater on 29 September to receive honorary degrees from the University. Both are Science PhD graduates from the University, and both have gone on to excel in their chosen fields.
Photo by Wayne England

Full Image (151.38K)

Dr Lata Jayaram graduated with her PhD in Medicine from the ³ÉÈË´óƬ on 28 September, 57 years after her mother Laletha achieved her medical degree, also from Adelaide. The two are pictured after the ceremony. Laletha and her husband flew from Auckland for her daughter’s graduation. Dr Jayaram is now working at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.
Photo by Candy Gibson

Dr Lata Jayaram graduated with her PhD in Medicine from the ³ÉÈË´óƬ on 28 September, 57 years after her mother Laletha achieved her medical degree, also from Adelaide. The two are pictured after the ceremony. Laletha and her husband flew from Auckland for her daughter's graduation. Dr Jayaram is now working at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne.
Photo by Candy Gibson

Full Image (112.05K)

Laletha, pictured at her ³ÉÈË´óƬ graduation in 1957

Laletha, pictured at her ³ÉÈË´óƬ graduation in 1957
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The graduation ceremony on 28 September for three PhD students in Dental Education – Dr Dimitra Lekkas, Dr Vicki Skinner and Dr Nattira Suksudaj – was an historic event. It was the first time in Australia that three new PhDs in Dental Education were awarded from the same school in the same ceremony. Prior to this, Australia had only one PhD graduate in this area.  They are pictured with Associate Professor John Kaidonis, Associate Professor Tracey Winning, Professor Johann de Vries and Professor Grant Townsend.
Photo by Candy Gibson

The graduation ceremony on 28 September for three PhD students in Dental Education - Dr Dimitra Lekkas, Dr Vicki Skinner and Dr Nattira Suksudaj - was an historic event. It was the first time in Australia that three new PhDs in Dental Education were awarded from the same school in the same ceremony. Prior to this, Australia had only one PhD graduate in this area. They are pictured with Associate Professor John Kaidonis, Associate Professor Tracey Winning, Professor Johann de Vries and Professor Grant Townsend.
Photo by Candy Gibson

Full Image (140.05K)

Graduation Ceremony 2010
Photo by Wayne England

Graduation Ceremony 2010
Photo by Wayne England

Full Image (130.06K)

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