Honorary Degree and Fellowship Holders

Emeritus Professor is a title accorded to Professors on retirement or resignation, who have given distinguished academic service to the scholarly community and/or the University community.

This award is conferred upon an individual who has made exceptional, sustained contributions to their field of endeavour or to improving society, and whose achievements align with and reflect JCU’s mission and values.

Candidates for this award must demonstrate all or most of the following attributes or achievements:

• Success and Reputation: Achievement of exceptional success, recognition or distinction in their respective fields, and impeccable reputation and standing in their field or within society more broadly. Their accomplishments should be widely recognised and respected by peers and the public alike. The candidate would raise the standing of JCU by their association with us;
• Leadership and Influence: Demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and have had a significant impact on their field or community. They may have served as influential leaders, role models, or catalysts for positive change;
• Contribution to Knowledge or Society: Made substantial contributions to the advancement of knowledge, innovation, culture, or society. Their work may have led to significant discoveries, advancements, or improvements that benefit humanity;
• Engagement: Enriched the communities they served by addressing shared objectives and challenges, building trust and leveraging collective expertise;
• Ethical and Moral Integrity: Uphold high ethical and moral standards in their professional and personal conduct. Their actions should align with the values of JCU. Nominees must have upheld the ethical principles as outlined in the Staff Code of Conduct and Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld), and where relevant the legal and statutory duties applicable to directors under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and common law;
• Alignment with Institutional Mission: Achievements and values should align with the mission and goals of JCU;
• Contribution to Education and Research: Made significant contributions to education and research, particularly if their work has had a lasting impact on the academic community;
• Diversity and Inclusion: JCU seeks to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of candidates from diverse backgrounds and who represent a variety of perspectives and experiences.

Doctor of the University

1998    Professor Emeritus Kenneth Richard McKinnon AO

2000    Mr John Williams

2005    Mr Gregory Neville Whitmore

2008    Emeritus Professor Bernard Paul Moulden AM

2008    Mr Henry Heng Jee Kwang

2008    Her Excellency Ms Quentin Alice Louise Bryce AC DStJ

2013    Her Excellency Ms Penelope Anne Wensley AC DStJ Gr Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite France

2014    Mr David Dahwurri Hudson

2015    Dr Dennis Trewin AO

2015    Mr Piers Lane AO

2015    Dr Lim Neo Chian

2016    His Excellency Mr Phillip Green OAM

2016    Lieutenant General John Cedric Grey, AC (Ret’d)

2018    Mr Yeo Li Pheow

2018    Mr Clive Skarott AM

2021    Her Excellency Dr Gillian Bird PSM

2021    Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO

2021    Mr Eddie Koiki Mabo

2021    Mrs Margaret Roderick

2021    Mr Campbell Charlton

2022    Mr Peter Phillips

2026    Uncle Robert Michael Muir

2026    Professor Sheriden Morris

The details in this list have been checked against the historical records of the University (principally its Graduation Booklets) and other available sources.  In each instance, the quoted titles and honorifics are those believed to have applied at the time the award was bestowed.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this list, errors may remain or details may be incomplete.  To effect a correction, please contact the Secretariat at James Cook University at secretariat@jcu.edu.au

This award is granted by the Chancellor, and recognises exceptional volunteers and donors to the university for their outstanding service to the university, philanthropic efforts, leadership in the community, or other contributions to JCU and its programs, staff, and students, and that align with JCU’s mission and values.

Candidates for this award must satisfy the eligibility requirements of one of the following categories:

• Donors: individuals who make a philanthropic donation to the University which results in significant transformational change that could not have been achieved without that individual’s support. A minimum donation amount is not associated with this award, however, it is noted that transformational change generally only comes with the highest level of donation category at the time of the award.
• Volunteers: demonstrated exceptional long-term commitment to volunteering in support of the university’s values and mission, and to the benefit of JCU, its programs, staff and students.

Nominees must also have upheld the ethical principles as outlined in the Staff Code of Conduct and Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld), and the legal and statutory duties applicable to directors under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and common law.

Fellow of the University

2009    Professor Gail Mackay

2010    Ms Carmel Daveson AM

2011    Associate Professor Barry Osborne

2026    Ms Heather Winsor

The details in this list have been checked against the historical records of the University (principally its Graduation Booklets) and other available sources.  In each instance, the quoted titles and honorifics are those believed to have applied at the time the award was bestowed.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this list, errors may remain or details may be incomplete.  To effect a correction, please contact the Secretariat at James Cook University at secretariat@jcu.edu.au

This award is granted by the Chancellor, and honours former professional and technical staff and former Council members who have made an exceptional impact on JCU and whose achievements reflect JCU’s mission and values.

Candidates for this award must demonstrate all or most of the following attributes or achievements:

• Leadership and Influence: Demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and have had a significant impact on their field or community. They may have served as influential leaders, role models, or catalysts for positive change;
• Contribution to Knowledge or Society: Made substantial contributions to the advancement of knowledge, innovation, culture, or society. Their work may have led to significant discoveries, advancements, or improvements that benefit humanity;
• Engagement: Enriched the communities they served by addressing shared objectives and challenges, building trust and leveraging collective expertise;
• Ethical and Moral Integrity: Uphold high ethical and moral standards in their professional and personal conduct. Their actions should align with the values of JCU. Nominees must have upheld the ethical principles as outlined in the Staff Code of Conduct and Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld), and the legal and statutory duties applicable to directors under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and common law;
• Alignment with Institutional Mission: Achievements and values should align with the mission and goals of JCU;
• Diversity and Inclusion: JCU seeks to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of candidates from diverse backgrounds and who represent a variety of perspectives and experiences.

Chancellor's Medal

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this list, errors may remain or details may be incomplete.  To effect a correction, please contact the Secretariat at James Cook University at secretariat@jcu.edu.au

The University may award an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, or a discipline based honorary doctorate.

• An Honorary Doctorate of Letters will generally be conferred upon a person who has made an eminent contribution in a field or discipline for which JCU does not have a named degree.
• An Honorary Doctorate in a named discipline will generally be conferred upon a person who has made an eminent contribution in a field or discipline for which JCU has a named degree.

Factors taken into consideration when awarding an Honorary Doctorate include one or more of the following:

• outstanding service or distinguished public contribution to the northern Queensland and/or Singaporean communities;
• exceptional service which an individual has rendered to the University, comprising either academic excellence, distinguished creative achievement or the exercise of outstanding leadership;
• exceptional contributions beyond the expectations of the nominee’s particular field of endeavour, which have influenced the thinking or general well-being of humanity, and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Doctor of Educational Studies

1991    Sir Alkan Tololo KBE

1995    Ms Kathleen McArthur

1996    Mr Alan Ross MacKee

1997    Mr Francis (Frank) Allan Young

2003    Ms Penelope (Penny) Estelle Rosable Tripcony

2004    Dr Paul Kenneth Brock

2008    Dr (Jeannie) Heather Jeannie Herbert

2013    Associate Professor Noel Loos

2014    Emeritus Professor Allan Luke

2018    Mrs Lauretta Elizabeth Graham

Doctor of Letters

1986    Mr George Vivian Roberts CBE

1988    His Excellency the Hon. Sir Walter Benjamin Campbell Kt cr

1989    Mr Keith Neville Patrick Chester

1991    Mr John Coburn AM

1993    The Hon. Sir Joseph Patrick (George) Kneipp Kt cr

1994    Sir Francis Thomas Moore AO Kt cr

1994    Sir Robert Henry Norman OBE

1995    Mrs Joan Innes Reid AM

1999    The Hon. Keith Ernest De Lacy

2001    The Hon. Margaret Reynolds

2001    Mr Arnold “Puggy” Hunter

2002    Dr Evelyn Ruth Scott

2002    Lady Florence (Pearl) Logan MBE

2003    Professor Sharon Mary Sullivan

2003    Hon. Justice Michael Donald Kirby AC CMG

2004    Mr Percy James Trezise AM

2004    Bishop Raymond Conway Benjamin DD Bishop Emeritus of Townsville

2005    Dr Dorothy (Dot) Merle Cole

2005    Mr Tommy George

2005    Mr George Musgrave

2005    Dr Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO

2007    Mr Peter Laurence Black OAM

2009    Mr Ernest (Ernie) Hoolihan

2010    Mr Ernie Grant

2013    Mr George Skeene

2015    Mr Johnathon Dean Thurston AM

2017    Dame Carol Kidu DBE

2018    Mrs Ernestine Bonita Mabo AO

2021    Ms Valerie Alberts

2021    Mr James Birrell

2021    Mr Laurie Bragge

2021    Commissioner Dr Katarina Carroll APM

2021    Mr Sean Dorney MBE AM

2021    Mr Darryl Murgha

2021    Dr Len Rutledge

2021    Miss Edna Shaw

2021    Mr Bernard Luke Singleton

2021    Professor David Hulme OBE

Doctor of Science

1995    Professor Emeritus Kenneth John Campbell Back AO

1995    Dr Barbara Joan Stelling

1999    Dr Christopher John Crossland

2001    Mr Richard Ambrose Kenchington

2005    Dr Douglas Bruce Copeman AO

2006    Sir Sydney Schubert

2007    The Hon. Dr Michael Richard Lewis Wooldridge

2007    Dr John Barton Best AM

2008    Professor John Hemsley Pearn Major General (Ret’d) AM KStJ RFD

2008    Major Leslie James Hiddins AM (Ret’d)

2009    The Hon Virginia Anne Chadwick AO

2012    Professor Peter Andrews AO

2013    Dr Ian Raymond Poiner

2015    Emeritus Professor John Howard Choat

2017    Commodore Andrew Robertson CSC PSM

2017    Mr Robert Jago

2018    Professor Ian Thomas Ring AO

2021    Professor Tony Bacic

2021    Dr Peter Isdale AM

2021    Mr Victor Steffensen

2021    Associate Professor Judith Trevan-Hawke

2021    Emeritus Professor David Yellowlees

2021    Dr Geoffry Fordyce

Doctor of Engineering

1980    Sir George Read Fisher Kt cr CMG BE Adel HonLLD Qld

1994    Mr John McGillivray McIntyre AM OBE BE NZ FTS FICE Hon FIEAust

1995    Mr Kevin John Macks AM ASTC LFRAIA FAIB AIArbA FFAICD

2008    Mr Donald George Fry AO DipEng (Mech&Elec) Hon FIEAust CEng MIMarE MRINA FTSE

2021    Ms Andrea Della Mattea

Doctor of Medicine

2018    Ms Marita Cowie AM

2019    Dr Christopher Kennedy OAM

2021    Dr Richard Harris SC OAM

2021    Dr Denis Lennox

2021    Dr Dennis Pashen

Doctor of Commerce

2004    Mr Ronald Keith Ireland OAM

2009    Mr George Edward Chapman AO

2013    Mr (Bill) Foo Say Mui

2014    Mr Les Tyrell OAM

2017    Mr John Herbert Morris

2021    Mr Graham Jackson OAM

2023    Ms Sarina Russo

Doctor of Laws

2007    The Hon. Justice Keiran Anthony (Kerry) Cullinane

2011    The Hon. Justice Stanley Graham Jones AO

2021    Mr Bill Mitchell OAM

The details in this list have been checked against the historical records of the University (principally its Graduation Booklets) and other available sources.  In each instance, the quoted titles and honorifics are those believed to have applied at the time the award was bestowed.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this list, errors may remain or details may be incomplete.  To effect a correction, please contact the Secretariat at James Cook University at secretariat@jcu.edu.au

Honoris causa is a degree awarded without examination, as a mark of esteem upon an individual.

Factors to be taken into consideration for the award of a degree honoris causa:

• exceptional achievement and academic eminence in a field of study or discipline offered by the University;
• as well as recognising normally either outstanding service which an individual has rendered to the University beyond the level customarily expected in the execution of the person's duties; or
• exceptional contributions to the advancement of human well-being; and
• have upheld the principles and values of professional behaviour outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Doctor of Educational Studies

1992   Professor Emeritus Edward Scott AM

Doctor of Engineering

1988   Professor Emeritus David Hugh Trollope

2021   Professor Ian Young AO

Doctor of Laws

2012   The Honorable Ian Callinan AC

Doctor of Letters

1982   His Excellency the Right Honorable Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG GCVO KStJ QC

1991   Professor Emeritus Colin Arthur Roderick CBE

1992   Professor Emeritus Brian James Dalton

1993   Professor Emeritus Keith Val Sinclair AO Officier de l'Ordre National du Merite France Commendatore nell'Ordine al Merito Italy Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne Belgium Commandeur de l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques France Officier de l'Ordre de Merite Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

2003   The Honorable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG

2003   Sharon Mary Sullivan

2011   Donat Gallagher OAM

2012   Professor Henry Reynolds

2017   Adjunct Professor Robert Dixon

Doctor of Science

1988   Professor Emeritus Roderick Samuel Fisher Campbell

2003   Dr Ralph Owen Slatyer AO AC

2005   Professor Joseph Thomas Baker AO OBE

2008   The Honorable Doctor Basil Hetzel AC

2009   Professor Emeritus Robert Porter AC

2021   Professor Betsy Jackes

2022    Emeritus Professor Terry Hughes

2022    Mr James Stanton PSM

The details in this list have been checked against the historical records of the University (principally its Graduation Booklets) and other available sources.  In each instance, the quoted titles and honorifics are those believed to have applied at the time the award was bestowed.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this list, errors may remain or details may be incomplete.  To effect a correction, please contact the Secretariat at James Cook University at secretariat@jcu.edu.au