Letter: In Praise of Former University Vice Chancellor

Published on: 12 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 13 Aug, 2014

From Bernard Parke

I am sure that many Guildfordians will remember the late Professor Anthony Kelly with great affection for his remarkable dedication to his work in helping to create the Surrey Research Park during his time as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey.

The Surrey Research Park in his time helped to achieve his aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial production in an institution renown throughout as a world centre of satellite technology.

In his leisure time he was a passionate sailor and a patron of the arts, and as a devout Roman Catholic he received the honour of being made a Papal Knight.

On a lighter side during his time at Churchill College he was able to fulfil his passion for fine wine by becoming the college’s first wine steward laying down many fine wines which were enjoyed at many dinners in later years.

During nearly two decades he was with us here in Guildford he presided over an increase in the number of full time university students from 3,000 to more than 7,000, and he saw the university income rise to £63 million despite the savage cuts in funding under the Thatcher government during 1981.

Professor Kelly’s achievements in the science are too numerous to list in this letter, but the people of Guildford will never forget him for his work which will always benefit not only the people of our market town, but for the whole of humanity.

We shall not see his like again.

Bernard Parke is an alderman and former mayor and borough councillor.