Sir Graham Hills, second Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde.
Hills had been Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Southampton for 18 years when he was appointed Principal at Strathclyde in 1980. At the time, financial difficulties were compounded by cuts in government expenditure. Hills responded in 1982 by re-organising the nine schools into four faculties - Science; Engineering; Arts and Social Studies and Business Studies. An early retirement scheme reduced staff costs, and income from sources other than the University Grants Committee was increased.
The resulting improvement in the University's finances allowed expansion to resume. In 1987 Marland House was purchased from British Telecommunications, and renamed the Graham Hills Building. New student residences were built on campus, bringing the idea of a student village closer to reality. The Barony Church was bought and restored for use as a ceremonial hall from 1991. Before his retirement in 1991, Hills had initiated discussions regarding a possible merger with Jordanhill College of Education, which came to fruition in 1993.
Reference: P4/302
Reproduced with the permission of Strathclyde University Archives
Keywords:
Barony Church, British Telecommunications, campuses, Graham Hills Building, Jordanhill College of Education, Marland House, physical chemistry, principals, student villages, UGC, University Grants Committee, University of Strathclyde, vice-chancellors