Bequest opens European doors for Earle Page students
Dr Peter Hemphill, who died in 2006, is continuing to inspire members of the University of New England’s Earle Page College with his love of European culture.
Dr Hemphill, a dedicated scholar and law lecturer at UNE and a much-loved member of Earle Page College’s Senior Common Room for 26 years, left a bequest of nearly $700,000 to the College for the annual provision of travelling scholarships to current or former College members planning to study in Europe.
Applications for the first round of Dr Peter Hemphill Travelling Scholarships close on Tuesday 29 July.
David Ward, Master of Earle Page College, said Dr Hemphill had been “a Renaissance man” who was “a great inspiration to our students”.
“In providing for these scholarships in his will, he wanted to support the academic pursuits of College members beyond the walls of the University,” Mr Ward said. “His generosity will allow the recipients to engage with European cultures through their languages, art and history while pursuing a course of study in any field.”
Several of the scholarships, valued at up to $10,000 each, will be awarded twice a year to people who have applied for a course of study of at least three months’ duration at a university or other approved educational institution in a range of European countries. Those countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Mr Ward said, however, that Dr Hemphill’s love of Italy and Italian culture was such that – all else being equal – preference could be given to applicants intending to study in Italy.
Recalling Dr Hemphill’s enthusiastic enjoyment of life, he added: “While studying in Europe, recipients will be encouraged to have a glass or two of red wine in some old town square – and visit some art galleries – in memory of Peter. He was such a character – and is greatly missed by the College. I still find myself listening for his distinctive laugh emanating from the Dining Hall at lunch times.”
For full details of the Dr Peter Hemphill Travelling Scholarship, and an application form, go to the Earle Page College Web site at: http://www.une.edu.au/campus/earle-page.
For photographs of - and tributes to - Dr Hemphill, go to: http://www.une.edu.au/law/peter_hemphill.html.