Griffith University’s G40 Health Centre at its Gold Coast campus now has a name and it’s in honour of former Vice Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Ian O’Connor AC (2005-2018).

Queensland Premier the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and former Vice Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Ian O’Connor AC.

The impressive looking structure, home to Griffith’s health disciplines, was officially named in honour of the university’s fourth Vice Chancellor at a gala opening attended by a host of ViPs including Queensland Premier the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO.

Professor Emeritus O’Connor AC became Vice Chancellor in 2005 following a three year role as Griffith’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning).

Professor Emeritus O’Connor AC, who will also receive an honourary doctorate from the University during December’s graduations, oversaw the stunning growth of the Gold Coast campus which today sees it as the largest of Griffith’s five physical campuses, home to more than 20 thousand students, world-leading research institutes and teaching and learning centres.

Former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and Queensland Premier the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP.

“I am truly deeply humbled by Council’s decision to name this building after me. It is a great honour and am deeply appreciative of it.”

“In fact from where I live at Southport I can see this building and can see the surrounding precinct and how it’s grown over the years”, Professor Emeritus O’Connor told the gathering.

In her speech marking the occasion, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the building is a fitting one to bear her predecessor’s name.

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.

“This is the outcome of single-minded vision and careful planning by an individual who is motivated by the betterment of the human condition — like many of those who teach, learn and perform research in this incredible building.”

The tallest structure on campus, the health building is a renowned incubator for powerful research impacting the lives of Queenslanders as well as many others from around Australia and the world.

 

“This is a building where great things happen every day — from the headline-grabbing research into spinal cord repair, chronic fatigue syndrome, prevention of Alzheimer’s disease through to that with local impact like the Nerang Alliance — ensuring every child has a happy and healthy start to school,” Professor Evans said.

The Ian O’Connor Building.

Built in tandem with the adjoining Gold Coast university hospital and completed in 2013, the Ian O’Connor building is a multi-purpose ten story structure incorporating health clinics, teaching, learning and research laboratories.

The Ian O’Connor building now sits alongside other Griffith buildings named in honor of former Vice Chancellors, including the Webb Centre (S02 – South Bank, Professor Emeritus Roy Webb VC 1985-2002), Glyn Davis Building (N72 – Nathan, Professor Glyn Davis VC 2002-2005), The Willett Centre (N53 – Nathan, Professor Emeritus John Willett 1972-1984).