Professor Ian White to leave as master of Jesus College after being appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath
He has been master since 2011 of college where he studied as an undergraduate
Professor Ian White, the master of Jesus College since 2011, has been appointed the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath.
Prof White has a long history of service at the college, which he will leave in April 2019. He came up as an undergraduate in 1977, receiving his BA in electrical sciences in 1980, his MA in 1984 and his PhD in engineering in 1984.
He was then appointed a research fellow at the college and assistant lecturer in the Department of Engineering, before leaving Cambridge in 1990 to become professor of physics at the University of Bath.
In 1996, he moved to the University of Bristol as professor of optical communications. He returned to the University of Cambridge and Jesus College in 2001, when he was appointed the van Eck Professor of Engineering.
Dr Stephen Siklos, the college’s president, said: “I am sure that everyone associated with the college will want to join me in congratulating Professor White on this prestigious appointment, and to wish him and Mrs White every success in this next chapter of their lives. In the coming months, we will be celebrating the outstanding contribution that Professor White has made to every aspect of college life.”
Professor White said: “This appointment means a great deal to me. Bath is a university which I care about deeply, having worked here at an early and highly significant stage in my academic career.
“A college community is a unique and special thing, and I will miss the fellows, students and staff very much. I will also miss our alumni, who have been incredibly supportive throughout my time here.
“It has been a privilege to be Jesus College’s master for the last seven years. The completion of the West Court development, which restored the college site to its original boundaries and offered excellent new facilities to students, fellows, alumni and the wider world, has been a particular highlight. I look forward to seeing how the Ccollege develops in future.”
Prof White’s wife, Margaret White, has also taken an active role in college life, coming up to the college in 1979 among the first cohort of female undergraduates. Mrs White, who is deputy head academic at St Faith’s School in Cambridge, recently published a book called A Good Education.
The process for selecting the next master of Jesus College will begin at the start of next term.
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