Alumni Donors
Starting with the stained-glass windows in the Great Hall, our Alumni have strongly supported the University. Since our beginning, our Alumni have played a key role in providing donations for prizes, scholarships, research and chairs. We are very grateful for what our Alumni have done to strengthen our University and we encourage their continued support.
Meet some of our Alumni donors and learn about their projects:
1968 Singapore Colombo Plan students
In 1968 nine Singaporean teenagers came to study at the University of Newcastle under a Colombo Plan Scholarship Program funded by the Australian government. Forty years later in 2008 the same nine people decided they wanted to demonstrate their gratitude not only to Australia but also the University of Newcastle, and created the 1968 Singapore Colombo Plan Students Scholarship. They collectively raised the funds to support a scholarship in perpetuity which would assist an Australian student enrolled in the second year in Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. Together they raised $80,000 and the scholarship award was established at $3,000.
Stories - Read more
< 1968 Singapore Colombo Plan Students Scholarship (PDF)
After her husband Philip Emlyn Thomas (known as 'Em') passed away in 2001, Jennie decided to endow scholarships and fund a number of important research programs to honour his life and work. Jennie chose to fund areas that interested both of them, such as Health, Music, Art, and Environmental Studies.
Jennie is a graduate of our University, having started her career as a trainee teacher at the Newcastle Teacher's College. Jennie has helped a number of students achieve their dreams and has been an exceptionally generous contributor to our University. Jennie aims to help young people follow their passions and make the most of their talents.
Stories - Read more
< 'Achieving a dream' (PDF 18KB)
< 'Not just a donor but also a friend (PDF 97KB)
Kevin Hoffman
As a distinguished graduate of the University of Newcastle, architect and town planner Kevin Hoffman wanted to give something back to the university community that had supported him. In 2001, Kevin endowed a prize to encourage final year architecture students to learn more about urban design.
Kevin has had a long and notable career in all aspects of planning. In 1978 Kevin was appointed Chief Town Planner of Wyong Shire. He was responsible for urban, rural and conservation planning for the southern parts of Lake Macquarie and the Tuggerah Lakes, including their hinterlands. In 1986, Kevin went into practice in Newcastle, becoming a Director of EJE Architects, in charge of their town planning and urban design section. He took up his commission with the Land and Environment Court in 1995. Through Kevin's passion for town planning and urban design, he has encouraged students to explore new areas of study.
Stories - Read more
< Kevin Hoffman Prize in Urban Design (PDF)
Suters Architects
Architecture students at the University of Newcastle are able to explore the field of urban design, thanks to a generous donation from a leading Newcastle architectural firm. Suters Architects has significantly contributed towards the establishment of a professorial position in Urban Design within the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Newcastle.
Founding partner Brian Suters, current CEO Robert Macindoe, and Practice Managers David Rose and Dino DiPaolo are all Newcastle graduates. Brian sees the relationship between the University and Suters Architecture as two-way. "We've been able to assist the University through scholarships, by providing tutors and providing opportunities for experience. In return, we've been able to staff our practice with outstanding graduates from Newcastle University."
Stories - Read more
< Suters Chair in Urban Design (PDF, 18KB)
