The 12th Duke of Devonshire is due to officially receive the robes of office from Professor Leslie Wagner, who has completed his
five-year term of office. This ceremonial handing over of robes will mark when the Duke becomes the new chancellor of the University.
The
Duke said "It is a tremendous honour to have been invited to become
the chancellor of this fine university, the most important seat of
learning in Derbyshire, a county my family has called home for five
centuries. I
am very fortunate to follow in the footsteps of my distinguished
predecessors, and look forward to working with the vice-chancellor,
together with his dedicated and talented staff and all the students who
make use of the university's teaching, research opportunities,
scholarship and facilities across the county." The chancellors first duty of office will be to present awards to the winners of the chancellor's art
competition, a contest open to the university's partner schools and
colleges.
Vice-chancellor Professor John Coyne said "He is an astute businessman and heavyweight figure who will bring gravitas to the prominent role. What we were looking for was someone well known who could be an ambassador figure for the University. The
Duke is a person of substance who will resonate well with us being
Derbyshire's university as it takes on an increasingly national profile
and builds further upon its success." | 