Hugh Fletcher elected university chancellor

By STUART DYE


Hugh Fletcher, the former chief executive of Fletcher Challenge, has been elected as the new chancellor of the University of Auckland.

A graduate of the university, Mr Fletcher was made a distinguished alumnus in 1996 and appointed to the university council by the Minister of Education in 1999.

He takes over from Chancellor John Graham, who has held the position for five years.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Raewyn Dalziel said Mr Graham's dedication to his role, and passion for quality teaching and research at the university, had been invaluable to the institution.

Mr Graham, who was headmaster of Auckland Grammar for 20 years, has served on the council since 1993. He has presided over 11 sets of graduation ceremonies, and capped more than 20,000 graduands.

The university council also elected a new pro chancellor, art patron and collector Jenny Gibbs, who served on the council from 1975 to 1995, and became a member again in 1999. Stuart Dye