As a tribute to one of its true pioneers, Griffith University has unveiled the Calvin Rose Soils Teaching Laboratory in its newest building at the Brisbane South (Nathan) campus, N81, named in honour of Professor Emeritus Calvin Rose AM, whose pioneering work in environmental science helped shape both the University and the field itself.
Professor Rose’s career began far from Australia’s east coast – in aircraft structural design and later teaching physics in Uganda.
He then joined the CSIRO Division of Land Research, where he assessed the agricultural potential of Northern Australia.
This laid the groundwork for his expertise in environmental and agricultural physics, soil science, and crop modelling, skills that would prove essential in shaping a new kind of university.
In 1972, Professor Rose was appointed the Foundation Dean of Griffith’s School of Australian Environmental Studies, even before the University’s buildings were complete.
“There was no building at that stage,” he said.
“We had to operate out of town and build a temporary lab in the humanities building, to help with the teaching of science.”
From these humble beginnings, Professor Rose later established the School of Environmental Engineering in 1989, and was again elected Dean in 1992.
Despite the modest beginnings, his work in soil erosion and sediment transport laid the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s leading environmental research institutions.
As a founding figure of what evolved into the Australian Rivers Institute, his work in soil erosion and sediment transport played a key role in shaping a national understanding of river systems.
“I’m very proud of being a pioneer,” he said.
“I started something that became the Australian Rivers Institute – and we did a good job.”
Professor Emeritus Calvin Rose AM
Internationally respected, Professor Rose directed major soil conservation programs across Southeast Asia and designed Griffith’s unique Tilting Flume Simulated Rainfall Facility.
Among many honours, he is a Life Member of the Australian Society of Soil Science, a Fellow of two national academies, and a Member of the Order of Australia.
Now immortalised in the very architecture of Griffith, Professor Rose said he felt “honoured and surprised” by the tribute.
“It’s a big surprise to me, and very generous,” Professor Rose said.
“I’m very honored, and very pleased indeed to be remembered this way.”
