14 February 2010

Actor Cox elected Rector at Dundee

The actor Brian Cox has been elected by students as Rector of the University of Dundee.

In a strong turnout boosted by the introduction of online voting, Mr Cox had the backing of 1034 students compared to 315 for Green MSP Robin Harper and 273 for Professor Nikolai Zhelev, head of the Bulgarian consulate in Dundee.

Mr Cox will be formally installed as Rector in a ceremony to be arranged for later in the Spring. The Rector is elected to serve the students' interests, including at the University Court, the governing body of the institution.

Mr Cox started his acting career at Dundee Rep and has gone on to become a Hollywood star, including being the first person to portray Hannibal Lecter on screen, in the film Manhunter. He has been a long-term supporter of the university, particularly into its research programmes in diabetes.

Andrew Smith, President of Dundee University Students' Association, said the students and university would have a 'fantastic representative' in Mr Cox, who would be able to 'bring a lot of weight to the role' and provide valuable publicity, as well as taking an active part in university affairs.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
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