Professor Don Markwell announces resignation as Head of College at St Mark’s College in North Adelaide

The high profile head of the famed South Australian institution has just announced his resignation.

St Mark's College in North Adelaide

The high profile head of St Mark’s College in North Adelaide has resigned.

Professor Don Markwell AM has today announced that he will step down as Head of College to take up a position as Head of King’s College at the University of Queensland.

The Chair of the College Board, Ms Linda Matthews, congratulated Professor Markwell on his exceptional service to St Mark’s as Head of College since November 2019.

“We are grateful for the excellent service Don has given to St Mark’s. I am sorry that Don will be leaving and fully understand his decision to return home to Brisbane, where most of his family reside,” Ms Matthews said.

Mr Markwell formerly worked as higher education adviser to then federal education minister Christopher Pyne from 2013-15 and was a key player in the Coalition’s failed push to deregulate university fees.

Professor Don Markwell AM has today announced that he will step down as Head of College at St Mark’s. Picture: Supplied

He became the head of St Mark’s College in November, after an 18-month stint rebuilding the reputation of long scandal-plagued St Paul’s College at the University of Sydney.

“I am sad to be leaving St Mark’s, its inspiring students and exceptional staff. I am deeply grateful also for the friendship and support of so many Old Collegians and friends of the College, including members of the College Board. I love St Marks and its community,” Mr Markwell said.

“Our students are inspiring, our staff are exceptional, and I deeply appreciate the support the College receives – and I have received personally – from so many Old Collegians and other members of the College community, including in this year’s heartwarming Centenary celebrations,” he said.

“However, most of my family live in Brisbane and the tyranny of distance means that I currently rarely see them.”

The College Board will now begin the recruitment process for the next Head of St Mark’s College.

Originally published as Professor Don Markwell announces resignation as Head of College at St Mark’s College in North Adelaide