LONDON: Lord William Hague has been elected as the next Chancellor of the University of Oxford, securing a majority in the final round of voting for the post.
Lord Hague will formally take office as Chancellor early in the new year and will serve for a 10-year term. The university said in an official statement that he became the 160th recorded Chancellor in the university’s history, a role that goes back at least 800 years.
Lord Hague, Chancellor-elect, said: “Thank you to my fellow Oxonists for placing such trust in me. I consider it the greatest honour of my life to be elected Chancellor of our university. I pay tribute to the other candidates, particularly for their commitment to the future of Oxford. What happens at Oxford over the next decade is crucial to the success of the UK. I look forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor and his team, as well as the students and alumni, to continue their excellent work. My heart and soul is in Oxford and I will dedicate myself to serving the University I love in the years to come. 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 whole university community, I offer him my heartfelt congratulations on his election. I would like to thank the four unsuccessful candidates for their Dedication and willingness to serve.
William Hague graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1982. He has always said that Oxford changed his life, coming to study philosophy, politics and economics at a comprehensive school in South Yorkshire. He was President of the Oxford Union.
In the late 1980s, William was heavily involved in designing the Campaign for Oxford, the first of the university’s development and fundraising efforts that have been highly successful over the past few decades. As an honorary fellow of Magdalen, he has given lectures and seminars for many years.
William is best known for his political career, most notably as Leader of the Conservative Party (1997–2001) and Foreign Secretary (2010–2014). He also served as Secretary of State for Wales, Leader of the House of Commons, and Minister for Disabled People, in which role he was the author of the Disability Discrimination Act. He spent 26 years as MP for Richmond, Yorkshire.
Since leaving government, William has divided his time between business, charity and writing. He is a columnist for The Times, has written two historical biographies and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
In the first round of the election of Chancellor, 23,008 members of the Convocation cast their votes for 38 candidates. Lord Hague won the nomination after a second round of voting on a shortlist of five candidates using the alternative vote system.
