Friday, 28 March 2014
Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh is one of several distinguished Western Australians whose contributions to the community has been recognised at The University of Western Australia during its autumn series of graduations for more than 3,800 students.
Dr Walsh became chief executive of Rio Tinto's iron ore group in 2004 and through his stewardship of the global mining company Dr Walsh has had a long and successful relationship with UWA.
This includes the gravity gradiometer with the School of Physics, the Rio Tinto Chair of Rock Art Studies, the Rio Tinto Asset Management Development program with the Business School and the five-year Rio Tinto-UWA Education Partnership.
He was also a foundation board member of the Energy and Minerals Institute in 2010 and a strong supporter of the In the Zone conference series. Dr Walsh is now based in London after being appointed chief executive of Rio Tinto Group in January last year.
He was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce at the graduation ceremony on Thursday 27 March, when he also delivered the Graduation Address.
Michael Smith, chairman of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and former Chair of Perth International Arts Festival has been awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters and delivered the a graduation address on Wednesday 19 March.
London-based independent corporate adviser in the engineering and technology sectors David MacKinlay was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce on Wednesday 26 March. The UWA Engineering and Commerce graduate, who is also chair of UWA's Business School United Kingdom Chapter, also delivered the Graduation Address.
Co-founder of STA Travel and Director of STA Travel Group Dick Porter will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce on Wednesday 2 April. Mr Porter will also deliver the Graduation Address.
Chancellor's Medals have been awarded to Emeritus Professor Ian Reid as well as long-serving UWA staff member Harvey von Bergheim. Rosemary Ingham, who is also a long-serving UWA staff member, will receive a Chancellor's Medal on Wednesday 9 April.
Eleven graduation ceremonies will be held in Winthrop Hall until Wednesday 9 April.
Images courtesy of GFP graduations are available here:
A transcript of Dr Walsh's speech to Graduands from the Faculty of Science is available for downloading.
Media references
David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716
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