News @ UOW
Opinions & Experts
Multimedia
Campus News & Events
Resources
 |
Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton at the farewell function for ... |
V-C praises Commerce Dean for her contribution
By Nick Hartgerink
Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton praised Faculty of Commerce Dean Professor Shirley Leitch for her efforts in transforming the faculty when he spoke at her farewell function on Friday (6 November).
Professor Leitch is leaving UOW after three years to take up an appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.
“Three years may be a short time, but it is enough to make a difference. You have certainly made a significant difference – not just to the faculty but to strategic planning at the University - and we thank you for that,” Professor Sutton told Professor Leitch and a large gathering of her colleagues and friends.
“This is an occasion of mixed emotions,” he said. “There is sadness at the loss of a dear friend but a sense of pride for the University of Wollongong and the faculty that you are going to a senior position at another university.”
MC Associate Professor Gary Noble said Professor Leitch had made a huge contribution to the Faculty of Commerce, introducing new courses including Public Relations, a Master of Commerce and the revamped Bachelor of Commerce degree which will start next year.
“Shirley is leaving an overall legacy of a very solid platform for the faculty to build on and meet the challenges of the future,” Professor Noble said. “And she’s achieved it with style, grace and collegiality.”
Professor Leitch joined UOW in 2006 from the University of Waikato in her native New Zealand, where she was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Public Affairs).
One of her key achievements as Dean of Commerce has been the development of the Australian-first "socially innovative" Bachelor of Commerce degree designed to produce future business leaders who focus on social as well as economic dividends.
Dubbed "Commerce with a conscience", the new degree starts in 2010. At its launch in July, Professor Leitch said: "Socially innovative commerce means the creation of both wealth and wellbeing through sound governance, corporate social responsibility, ethical decision-making and environmental sustainability."
In a wide-ranging farewell speech, Professor Leitch described her three years at UOW as an “amazing ride”.
She thanked her faculty colleagues, but reserved special praise for Professor Sutton for his guidance and support.