Vice-Chancellor Tribute

Professor Sir David Williams, QC, became the University of Cambridge's first full time Vice-Chancellor in 1992. Although he had served three years in the traditional way - combining the duties with college and faculty connections - he now faced a new role which demanded considerable energy as the University broke with seven hundred years of tradition.

Professor Sir Sam Edwards was the University's first Pro-Vice-Chancellor: "The importance of being the first full time Vice-Chancellor, which means in effect the first full time Chief Executive, is that it lays down the pattern for the future and establishes the precedents. That meant that, at first, a vast burden is placed on this first man, who then has to decide what really needs him, his authority and respect, and what can be placed in other safe hands."

A hallmark of his time as Vice-Chancellor will be the effort he has made to encourage communication. Dr Stephen Fleet, Registrary of the University: "Sir David's contribution has been outstanding. He has worked tirelessly to represent the University at national level, and travelled extensively to give news of the University to its graduates and friends world-wide."

From local initiatives, like this Newsletter, to international affairs, he has played an active role and his international contacts are inexhaustible. Together with Lady Williams, he has had to create another precedent, the Vice-Chancellor's Lodge, a place for University business, both formal and informal.

Sir David's time as Vice-Chancellor has seen four heads of state being honoured by the University, latterly President Mandela from a country where Sir David has himself done much to rebuild links post-apartheid.

Time spent creating and rebuilding a worldwide network has not been to the detriment of home affairs. "Within Cambridge he has provided strong leadership to the academic community, and commitment to its purposes. High quality standards of teaching and research have been maintained and enhanced, and there has been an unprecedented number of new building projects," notes Stephen Fleet.

When he resumes full-time academic life - Sir David will again be a Professor in the Law Faculty - it will be in very much more modern surroundings than those he left. The new Law Faculty building on the Sidgwick Site has, like the Judge Institute of Management Studies, been a major step for the University. Both were key development projects when he took office in 1989.

Sir Sam notes his impact on the University: "The pattern for the future in chairmanships of vital bodies, the persuasion of the University to have a new second Pro-Vice-Chancellor with special responsibility for development, and the unification of the civil service of the University will be a permanent reminder of Sir David's tact and persuasiveness in the execution of his position."

The Vice-Chancellor and Lady Williams will be spending time in Australia soon after his retirement. He can sit back and smile on the long flight. As a senior colleague remarks: "He hands over to his successor an institution of world class, whose position has strengthened markedly during his tenure of office."