Former University of Southern Queensland vice-chancellor Bill Lovegrove passes away at 77

A former University of Southern Queensland vice-chancellor, who oversaw the institution’s rapid expansion in the 21st century, has been remembered as a champion of higher education.

Tributes have flowed for former University of Southern Queensland vice-chancellor Bill Lovegrove, who has passed away aged 77.

Emeritus Professor Lovegrove was part of UniSQ’s leadership team from 2003 to 2011, having previously served posts as deputy vice-chancellor at Griffith University and professor of psychology and pro vice-chancellor of research at the University of Wollongong.

Current UniSQ vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie said Prof Lovegrove’s work in academia had inspired thousands of students and staff.

“Under Bill’s leadership, the university forged a path of expansion and innovation, establishing the Springfield campus (opened in 2006) and our joint venture partnership with the Queensland Government to establish the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in 2007,” Prof Mackenzie said.

Vice Chancellor University of Southern Queensland, Professor Bill Lovegrove in 2011. Photo Campbell Scott.

“His dedication to education touched countless lives, including my own – I was privileged to know Bill from my first position at the university in 2007.

“Like so many others, I highly valued his friendship and mentoring and fondly remember his positive, kind and good-humoured approach to life.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Former General Manager of Toowoomba Newspapers Rohan Gosstray and the late Professor Bill Lovegrove, Vice Chancellor USQ at the handover of the Toowoomba Chronicle Archives Collection handover to UniSQ in 2010. Photo by Nev Madsen

Prof Lovegrove returned to Wollongong after retirement, where he became president Nan Tien Institute of Higher Education.

“These courses all include meditation and reflective exercises because there is strong research evidence that mindfulness makes students more resilient and allows them to cope much better with their studies,” Prof Lovegrove told the University of Wollongong in 2018.

“It helps individuals become more concerned with their environment and the people in that environment.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove shows then-Minister for Education, Science and Training Julie Bishop around the new UniSQ Springfield campus in 2006.

His other appointments include being chairman of the board at Graduate Careers Australia, and the chair of the education and training advisory board at Open Colleges.

A product of both Corinda State High School and Parramatta High School, he achieved a PhD in psychology at the University of Queensland.

Prof Mackenzie said Prof Lovegrove would be “deeply missed by all who knew him”.

“Bill’s own experiences forged in him a strong commitment to equity in higher education, and especially building aspiration for tertiary study in high school students from under-represented groups, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds and those living in regional, rural and remote areas,” she said.

Bill Lovegrove in 1998 in his role as pro vice-chancellor at Wollongong University.