ANU honours philanthropist Graham Tuckwell

20 February 2015

Mr Tuckwell has been named the ANU Alumnus of the Year – Philanthropy after he and his wife Louise donated $50 million to the University to establish Australia’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship.

The donation, the largest philanthropic gift in Australia at the time, funds the Tuckwell Scholarship program, now in its second year at ANU. The scholarships give up to 25 students each year around $21,700 a year to cover living expenses for up to five years of study.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young AO said Mr Tuckwell was a deserved winner whose philanthropic gift was helping to fulfil the potential of some of Australia’s most talented young students.

“We are extremely proud to count Graham as an ANU graduate and grateful for the extraordinary financial and personal support he has contributed to building the Tuckwell Scholarship Program,” Professor Young said.

“At the heart of this vision is a desire to see a program that nurtures talented young students to fulfil their potential and reinvest their knowledge, skills and experience in ways that positively benefit others.

“The gift, through the Tuckwell Foundation, supports a scholarship worth more than $100,000 per student for up to five years of study to cover on-campus residential costs, books and general living expenses.

“The program has a focus on giving back to Australia and is the only one of its kind that nurtures scholars to fulfil their broader community ambitions over and above the pursuit of an undergraduate degree.”

Mr Tuckwell said he and his wife Louise were delighted to receive the award.

“It means a huge amount to us,” he said. “It also means a huge amount to those 70 to 100 people around the ANU who have supported the program and helped to put it in place.”

The award comes as ANU starts a series of roadshows across the country to encourage school students to apply for the Tuckwell Scholarships.

After graduating from ANU in 1981 Graham Tuckwell built a standout career in corporate advisory and investment banking. He went on to found and chair ETF Securities Limited, a leading issuer of Exchange Traded Products.

The ANU Alumni Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by alumni of the University.

The other Alumni Awards winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday 28 March.

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