Chemical engineering academic Emeritus Professor Edward White AM spent 67 years studying and teaching at UQ, and now, after hanging up his academic gown for the last time in 2018, Ted has received national accolades for his lifetime of work.
More than 50 people connected with UQ were recognised in the Australia Day awards this year, with Ted receiving a Member (AM) in the Order of Australia General Division award for his significant service to higher education, particularly to chemical engineering.
At his retirement, Ted said chemical engineering at UQ was one of his greatest loves.
“It’s been wonderful to work with thousands of students and help guide them on their chemical engineering journey, wherever it may take them,” he said.
During almost seven decades at UQ, Ted developed the study of sugar crystallisation and authored about 260 journal articles.
He holds two patents, both focusing on improving centrifuge performance.
Throughout his career, Ted also received the President’s Medal from the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, two Brodie Medals from Chemeca, the chemical engineering industry’s leading annual conference, and an ICI Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said Ted’s contribution to the university and the School of Chemical Engineering had been outstanding.
Professor Høj congratulated all UQ awardees and thanked them for their contributions to the nation.
“Again, the Australia Day Awards remind us of the depth and breadth of talented people who have been part of UQ over the years, as students, staff, supporters or professional partners,” Professor Høj said.
“Education is a real gift, and it’s wonderful to see how it allows people to give back to society right throughout their lives,” Professor Høj said.
“As we see with this latest honour list, many of our graduates do exactly this, and have rightfully been recognised for giving selflessly beyond the call of duty.”
Alumnus and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland Justice Catherine Holmes AC (left) was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia and Triple P founder Professor Matt Sanders AO became an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
Philanthropist Dr Paul Eliadis AM and the TC Beirne School of Law’s Professor Anthony Cassimatis AM received Order of Australia General Division awards, and Dr Stephen G Papas OAM received an Order of Australia Medal.
Former UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education) Professor Cindy Shannon AM and former UQ head of music Emeritus Professor Warren Bebbington AM were recognised with Order of Australia General Division awards.
Others recognised included:
- Mr Michael Choi OAM, for service to the people and Parliament of Queensland.
- Mr Barry Kelly AM, JK Tech chairman since 2003 and UQ Holdings director 2004-2011; for significant service to the mining and minerals sectors, and to business.
- Botanist Mrs Joan Winifred Cribb OAM, who studied, taught, researched and volunteered at UQ from 1947 to 2017. She authored 30 scientific papers and co-authored 20.
- Professor Raymond Specht AO, UQ botany department head, 1966-1989
- Mr Barry Leonard Kelly AM, chairman JK Tech since 2003 and Director, UQ Holdings 2004-2011
- Rev Canon Dr John Laurence Morgan AM – Warden, St John’s College UQ, 1982-2012
- Former politician and UQ alumnus Mary Catherine Crawford AM
The full list of 2020 Australia Day Award recipients is on the Governor-General’s website.
