Former Australian Prime Minister honoured at University of Newcastle graduations
His Excellency the Honourable Dr Kevin Rudd AC was today recognised for his extraordinary contributions to the nation, public life, and diplomacy with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle.
The Hon. Dr Rudd AC, who is Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, accepted the Doctor of Letters and delivered the occasional address to hundreds of health science graduates and their guests.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said Dr Rudd has made exceptional contributions to Australian public life and he hoped that graduating students could take inspiration from his service and leadership to the country.
“It is an incredible honour to recognise Dr Rudd with an Honorary Doctorate. During his time as Prime Minister, Dr Rudd achieved historic reforms and made courageous decisions that shaped our current social, economic and international landscape,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“Making Australian history with the National Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008, Dr Rudd made an important acknowledgement of our history, which was crucial to Australia’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation and justice for Indigenous Australians.
“He also placed a strong focus on education, introducing Australia’s first national school curriculum, implementing large-scale capital investment in schools and key funding for our flagship NUspace building in the heart of Newcastle.”
Dr Rudd served as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 and again in 2013. Dr Rudd expressed gratitude for the honour.
“We gather at a time of great mourning and soul-searching for our nation. In this, our universities and our schools must play an essential role, to ensure that neither racism nor antisemitism have any place in forming the minds of the next generation of Australians,” Dr Rudd said.
“I’m especially proud of my association with the University of Newcastle because it continues to rise to the great challenge of reconciliation — translating the spirit of the Apology, and our shared national project of ‘closing the gap’, into the hard business of practical action.
“It’s a reminder of the enduring power of universities to transform our nation.”
The Hon. Dr Rudd AC was among several distinguished Honorary Doctorate recipients to be recognised during the December graduations, including:
- Adjunct Professor Robert Whittaker AM – Doctor of the University
- Ms Karenne Jurd – Doctor of Science
- Mr Craig Copeland – Doctor of Science
- Mr Mark Vassella – Doctor of Business
- Professor Peter Coaldrake – Doctor of Education
- Mr Phillip Adams AC – Doctor of Letters
The University of Newcastle awards Honorary Doctorates to individuals whose exceptional leadership or innovations have made significant contributions to their communities, and reflect the University values of engagement, innovation, integrity, sustainability, equity and social justice.
To find out more about Honorary Doctorates, and view the full list of previous University of Newcastle recipients visit:
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