Graham John Hills
| Graham John Hills | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 April 1926 Southend-on-Sea, Essex , U.K. |
| Died | 9 February 2014 (aged 87) |
| Pen name | Sir Graham Hills |
| Occupation | University Principal, Physical chemist, Educationalist |
| Nationality | English |
| Spouse |
|
| Children | 4 |
Sir Graham Hills, FRSE (9 April 1926 – 9 February 2014) was a physical chemist, who was Principal of the University of Strathclyde and a Governor of the BBC. He was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex and was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys and Birkbeck College, London (BSc 1946, PhD 1950). He was knighted in 1988 for his services to education.
Hills served at the University of Southampton as Professor of Physical Chemistry for 18 years, until 1980. Thereafter, he became Principal at Strathclyde University. There, early focus was on accommodating government spending cuts by the University Grants Committee (UK), as well as other financial difficulties. He found alternative income sourcing, and also restructured the university to reduce its nine schools to four faculties in 1982 and to introduce early retirement for faculty members.
The financial challenge stabilized, Hill turned to expanding the university. Purchases were made in 1981 and 1987 respectively of the Barony Church (restored in 1984 and converted into a graduation hall) and Marland House (a former British Telecom office block which was renamed Graham Hills Building). New student residences were constructed on campus.
After Sir Graham's retirement, he was the driving force behind the establishment of a University of the Highlands and Islands. He moved to Inverness to participate fully in this enterprise as an advisor to the nascent University. In 2004, he co-authored with Robin Lingard the book UHI: The Making of a University, containing a comprehensive account of the background behind its establishment.
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