Rhodes University 2012, Vice-Chancellor's Graduation Ceremonies Address.

Those of you who have not returned to the campus for a number of years will notice how the campus has grown with residences now reaching way beyond the quarry almost to the 'Mot', which is now a postgraduate residence. Happily it still retains the atmosphere that you will all remember. The most impressive building on campus is undoubtedly the new Library that is probably one of the most modern academic libraries in Southern Africa. I had the pleasure of touring the facility when I visited Grahamstown earlier this year and it is in my opinion a world-class addition to the campus.

But what happens inside the buildings defines the University and you will see from Saleem's update that there are a number of very exciting initiatives and programs under way. The one that really captured my own attention was the initiative to establish a Unesco Water Research facility at Rhodes in collaboration with several other African Universities and research institutes. The provision of safe and clean water in sufficient quantities is a topic of conversation that is occupying an increasing number of minds at both an educational and political level.

Also of importance is the outcome of South Africa's bid to host the development of the SKA radio telescope. Rhodes has a strong involvement in this bid and in fact has seconded Prof Justin Jonas to the bid committee. With the award by the National Research Foundation of a Chair in Astro-Physics to Rhodes, the University stands to gain much from a successful bid. Lets hope we can beat the Australians at this one!

Apart from this, all the primary indicators are sound and Rhodes continues to occupy a position as one of the Big 5 universities in South Africa and this alone should make us proud of our linkage with the University.

While these initiatives are exciting and the University appears healthy in all respects, we cannot ignore the role that each and every one of us as graduates can play in ensuring it remains this way. In South Africa, universities are, for the most part, funded from taxpayer contributions. The income they receive from this source is supplemented by fee income from students. Combined, this funding provides sufficient income for the University to operate. However, for it to grow (and compete on the global stage) and to provide access to all, it requires additional income from so-called third-stream sources i.e. donor contributions.

New programs and new infrastructure can only be introduced or established if donor support is obtained. For those familiar with university endowments in the U.S., you know that for most institutions a well-established source of income is from their alumni networks.

At Rhodes this year over 200 Alumni made contributions totaling over R700,000. Included in this was over R200,000 from alumni in the USA and for this I must sincerely thank you. The funding we contributed provided bursaries and other forms of financial aid to a number of talented but financially disadvantaged students. So in a nutshell, we as an Old Rhodian community helped the University in its quest to provide 'access to all'. However when one considers that well over R25 million is required each year to meet this objective, we can still make an even bigger difference.

My appeal to you as the year draws to a close is to consider playing your own part in supporting the University and its mission and preserving and strengthening everything that we have come to cherish about our alma mater. I think I can safely say that Rhodes has had a positive influence on our lives and perhaps it is time that we gave others a similar opportunity?

Donating is easy and each donation, no matter what size, will make a difference to the University. Click Here to donate online.

In addition, you can join and actively participate in our Facebook and LinkedIn communities. There are several Old Rhodian groups in both social media networks and we encourage you all to take part in content, community and collaboration in North America.

In closing, may I wish and your loved ones a wonderful holiday period and all the very best for 2012.

Donovan Neale-May
Chairman of the Board of Trustees