A service to remember and celebrate the life of the University’s former Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Duncan Rice, was held on Tuesday (February 28)
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Chapel and then on the top floor of the library named in his honour to pay their own personal tributes to the man credited as ‘the quiet revolutionary of Scottish higher education’.
A graduate of the University and former lecturer, he returned to Aberdeen following a successful career at Yale, Hamilton College, and New York University.
During his tenure as Principal from 1996 to 2010, he pioneered a new approach to philanthropy which led to the highly successful Sixth Century Fundraising Campaign.
He led a £230 million capital programme which, in addition to the construction of the library, saw the completion of the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, the co-creation of Aberdeen Sports Village and the construction of the Suttie Centre.
Professor Sir Duncan Rice also recognised the importance of global partnerships and spearheaded the innovative reform of our curriculum.
Tributes were paid to his memory and legacy through speeches and music and the event provided an opportunity for former colleagues to come together to reminisce and share memories.
These included a moving words from his son Sam Rice, a speech by Dr Jonathan Fanton recalling their time in the States and 50 years of friendship and amusing anecdotes from former University Secretary Steve Cannon, who looked back fondly on his time in Aberdeen.
Professor Sir Duncan Rice was a committed supporter of the arts and there were fitting musical tributes of Professor Paul Mealor’s Locus iste sung by King’s College Chapel Choir, 'Non più andrai' from The Marriage of Figaro sung by music student Christopher Brighty, and the Gaelic Chi mi’n tir performed by Fiona Kennedy accompanied by Dr Irene Watt.
Steve Cannon described him as ‘an academics’ academic’ with a ‘truly ambitious vision’ for the University.
“Duncan saw gifts and talents in people they did didn’t see in themselves and by nurturing these he created a collective self confidence that defined his period of office,” he added.
Dr Fanton said memories of Professor Sir Duncan Rice “bring to mind the letter ‘C’ – competent, committed, collegial, cosmopolitan, creative, courageous and caring.”
The service concluded with a performance of Oh, Rowan Tree by the Choir to accompany the sharing of photographs depicting highlights in both his family and professional life.