After receiving a majority of votes in the last round of voting, Lord Hague of Richmond will take over as the next Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Early in the new year, he will be officially sworn in as Chancellor, a position he will hold for ten years. His appointment makes him the 160th Chancellor in the University’s history, a position that has existed for at least 800 years.
After his election, Lord Hague said:
‘Thank you to my fellow Oxonians for placing such confidence in me. I regard being elected as the Chancellor of our university as the greatest honour of my life. I pay tribute to the other candidates, in particular for their commitment to the future of Oxford. What happens at Oxford in the next decade is critical to the success of the UK. I look forward to working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and her team, along with students and alumni, to build on their excellent work. My heart and soul are in Oxford and I will dedicate myself in the coming years to serving the university I love.’
Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said:
‘I am delighted to welcome Lord Hague back to Oxford as its 160th Chancellor. On behalf of the entire University community, I heartily congratulate him on being elected. I would like to extend my gratitude to the four unsuccessful candidates for their dedication and willingness to serve. William is a great friend to Oxford and is someone who I know will serve and represent this magnificent institution with dignity and vigour. I am personally looking forward to working with him during the remainder of my tenure, and to also engaging with his wife, Ffion, another loyal alum to the University of Oxford. Congratulations once again.’
In 1982, William Hague received his degree from Oxford’s Magdalen College. After attending a comprehensive school in South Yorkshire to study philosophy, politics, and economics, he has consistently stated that Oxford changed his life. He served as the Oxford Union’s president.
William played a major role in creating the Campaign for Oxford in the late 1980s, which was the first of the university’s development and fundraising initiatives that have been so successful in recent decades.
He has long delivered lectures and seminars as a Magdalen honorary fellow.
William’s political career is what made him most famous, especially his tenure as Foreign Secretary (2010-2014) and Leader of the Conservative Party (1997-2001).
In addition, he was the leader of the House of Commons, the secretary of state for Wales, and the minister for disabled people, where he drafted the Disability Discrimination Act. He represented Richmond, Yorkshire, as an MP for 26 years.
William has split his time between writing, charity, and business since leaving the government. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Times columnist, and the author of two historical biographies.
23,008 Convocation members voted for 38 candidates in the first round of the Chancellor election.
Using the Alternative Vote system, Lord Hague won the nomination following the second round of voting for a final list of five candidates. Voting was done by about 24,908 Convocation members, who are University employees and alumni.
As the University of Oxford’s nominal leader, the Chancellor preside over a number of important events.
Applications For Graduate Admission To Oxford University Are Now Opened
In addition to these official responsibilities, the Chancellor serves as an ambassador for the University at various local, national, and worldwide events and engages in advocacy, advisory, and fundraising activities. They also serve as the chair of the vice-chancellor selection committee.
Lord Patten of Barnes, who declared his retirement from the position in February, is succeeded by Lord Hague of Richmond.
Lord Patten of Barnes responded to Hague’s election by saying:
‘I am delighted that William has been chosen. He had a stellar time at Oxford and throughout a distinguished political career he has kept in close contact with his college and the University. He will do a great job. He loves Oxford and Oxford will love him.’
The Alternative Vote system was used, whereby voters could rank as many of the candidates as they chose.
