The University of Queensland will tomorrow (Wednesday, July 16) recognise the President of the University of South Carolina, Dr Andrew A Sorensen, with an honorary doctorate.
A distinguished educator, researcher and government advisor in areas including medicine, biosecurity, AIDS and public health, Dr Sorensen has led USC to unprecedented success during his six-year presidency.
“I am deeply honored to receive this degree from the University of Queensland,” Dr Sorensen said.
“It has special significance for me, given the collaboration between South Carolina and Queensland, as well as the special relationship between the University of Queensland and the University of South Carolina.”
UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield, said Dr Sorensen had pursued a vision to elevate his university as a catalyst for economic growth and positive societal change.
“He has established a community including residential, recreational and high-tech facilities known as Innovista, which has strong linkages with government and the business and economic development community,” Professor Greenfield said.
“Innovista’s many areas of research strength include hydrogen fuel cells, international business and public health.
“Under Dr Sorensen’s leadership, USC and UQ have created significant collaborations in fields including hydrogen cell technology and parenting and family research, in particular the Triple P Positive Parenting Program.
“South Carolina and Queensland are ‘Sister States’, and our partnerships have support from the Queensland Government’s Smart State policies.”
Before being appointed President of USC, Dr Sorensen served as President of the University of Alabama, as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Florida, Executive Director of the AIDS Institute at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He has also been a Visiting Faculty Member at the Harvard University School of Medicine and the University of Cambridge School of Medicine.
“Service has been a continuing theme of a life informed by scholarship in medicine, ethics, medical sociology, public health and history,” Professor Greenfield said.
“He will retire from his role as President later this month, but it’s indicative of his passion for sharing knowledge and experience that he will continue teaching and scholarship after he leaves the presidency.”
Dr Sorensen will receive his honorary doctorate the UQ Centre, St Lucia campus, in a ceremony beginning at 11am. The ceremony is likely to set a new UQ record for the size of its academic procession, with almost 100 people expected in the procession.
Students graduating from the faculties of Biological and Chemical Sciences, and Health Sciences will receive their awards at this event.
MEDIA: Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
