University of Newcastle 2023 Alumni Award recipients announced
Recipients of the 2023 University of Newcastle Alumni Excellence Awards were recognised at the annual celebration last night to celebrate their accomplishments in exceptional leadership, innovation, and outstanding community contributions.
Eleven recipients from various backgrounds and disciplines received awards to recognise their achievements, including leading international nutritional health work, pioneering astronomical research, and taking the international country music stage by storm.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the Alumni Excellence Awards celebrated and honoured members of our alumni community who have positively contributed to their local, national, and international communities.
"More than 171,000 graduates across 153 countries create our University's inspiring alumni network, and these awards were an opportunity to shine a light on diverse and dynamic leaders who have made a profound impact in their fields," Professor Zelinsky said.
"From international business leaders and music industry celebrities to research pioneers and human rights advocates, it was an honour to welcome a group of outstanding alumni from across the globe back to Newcastle last night.
“Last night’s Alumni Excellence Awards also gave us the chance to celebrate local heroes like Mark and Kirralee Hughes, who have made an exceptional contribution to our community and have generated millions in funds for brain cancer research through the Mark Hughes Foundation. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, the greatest challenges can be met with hope and strength.
“With many high school students across the state starting their HSC exams this week, the remarkable stories and far-reaching impact of our alumni recipients are an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved with a University of Newcastle degree.”
The Alumni Excellence Awards were held in the Great Hall at the University of Newcastle on Thursday 12 October. More information on all the recipients of the 2023 Alumni Excellence Awards is available on the University of Newcastle website.
Full list of award winners:
AWARD CATEGORY | NAME | Current Position | Degree |
Alumni Medal for Professional Excellence | Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO | Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle | PhD (Medicine & Health Science) 1999, GD Clinical Epidemiology 1996 |
Newton-John Alumni Medal | Morgan Evans | ARIA and CMA-winning country music Singer/Songwriter | Bachelor of Communication 2006 |
International Leadership Award | Matthew Gain | Senior Vice President and Head, Audible (Europe) | Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) 2001 |
Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution | Mark and Kirralee Hughes | Cofounders of Mark Hughes Foundation | Bachelor of Business 1998 (Kirralee Hughes) |
National Leadership Award | Professor Getnet Tadele | Professor, Addis Ababa University | Master of Medical Science (Health Social Science) 1998, GD Health Social Science 1997 |
Regional Leadership Award | Dr Nicole Nathan | Health Service Manager, HNE Population (MRFF Investigator | PhD (Behavioural Science) 2016, Master of Health Science (Hons) 2006, GD Health Promotion 2005, Bachelor of Teaching / Bachelor of Health and Physical Education 1999 |
Beryl Nashar Young Researcher Award | Dr Alice Grady | Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Newcastle | PhD (Behavioural Science) 2016, Bachelor of Psychology 2009 |
Indigenous Alumni Award | Karlie Noon | PhD Candidate and Indigenous Research Associate, Australian National University | Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Science 2016 |
Young Alumni Award | Steve Adamthwaite | NSW/ACT Water Business Leader, ARUP | Bachelor of Chemical Engineering 2017 |
Alumni Award for Outstanding Volunteerism | Dr Aaron Wong | Senior Artificial Intelligence Technical Chair, Robocup Junior | PhD (Computer Science) 2014 Bachelor of Computer Science / Bachelor of Engineering 2006 |
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