24 January 2007

Election of Rector 2007

The election of a new Rector for the University of Dundee will take place next month after the current postholder Lorraine Kelly announced she would not stand for a second term.

Lorraine is standing down due to an increasingly busy work schedule and lifestyle, after "three fantastic years" representing "students at Scotland’s most forward-thinking and exciting university".

Leading figures at the University paid tribute to a popular and hard-working Rector.

Stephen Blane, President of Dundee University Students Association, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Lorraine and sincerely thank her for all the time and assistance that she has provided to me and the entire student body of the University of Dundee. She has been a fun, hard working and respected Rector and I was sad to learn that she had chosen not to seek a second term. On behalf of all at DUSA I wish her well for the future and I hope that we can work together again."

Dr David Duncan, University Secretary, said: "Lorraine has been a wonderful Rector and a great ambassador for Dundee. She has made friends here across the generations, with students, their parents, their grandparents and staff alike. Lorraine will always be welcome back at the Uni when she is in town."

Joan Concannon, the University's Director of External Relations, said: "Lorraine Kelly has been an outstanding rector. She has worked creatively and diligently to raise the profile of the University across the UK. Lorraine began her tenure as rector by hosting LK Today live from Dundee the day following her installation. She has used her media profile extensively to positively promote Dundee and the University. Lorraine is hugely popular with young people and her willingness to front our Decide Dundee student recruitment lifestyle magazine has greatly contributed to our recruitment success over the past three years. Finally her visible support for a number of University charitable appeals, particularly in aid of TICR (The Institute for Cardiovascular Research) has helped the University raise much needed funds for a number of vital clinical research projects that have helped thousands of patients across Tayside."

The election of a new Rector will take place on Friday February 16th, with hustings organised to take place on February 13th. Nominations for the new Rector must be submitted by 5 pm on Wednesday January 31st.

Nomination forms are obtainable from the office of the Academic Secretary (Tower Building, 6th floor). Notes of guidance for proposers may be obtained from the Academic Secretary’s Office.

Nomination forms must be signed by fifty matriculated students, including the proposer and seconder. Each nomination form must be accompanied by an Acceptance of Nomination Form signed by the nominee.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk