Welcome to the first edition of On Campus for 2008, and a special welcome to students who are receiving this fortnightly newsletter for the first time. On Campus is a newsletter for and about the ANU community.

The University recently marked a milestone in our evolution from developing research leaders to developing leaders, when for the first time an ANU alumnus was elected Prime Minister of Australia.

While we are enormously proud to see one of our graduates reach the highest elected office in the land, we are equally proud of the many ANU alumni who have gone on to make an outstanding contribution to the nation, and indeed the world.

ANU has attracted many of Australia's brightest young minds over the past 48 years. After admitting our first undergraduate students in 1960, in 1963 we recognised the highest achievers amongst our alumni with the presentation of the first two University Medals to Nancy Clarke, BA Hons (English), and Michael Sawer, BA Hons (Oriental Studies).

Since then, 677 outstanding honours students have been recognised with the University Medal. At the December 2007 graduation ceremonies, 31 students received a University Medal, including for the first time a graduate from the ANU Medical School.

On Saturday, we welcomed many Medallists and their families back to the campus to celebrate their achievements with the unveiling of the University Medallist honour board at University House.  Today we also welcome new students to our campus. Among them will be future leaders in research, in education, in business and in public life. I hope that the honour board - and the people it celebrates - will serve as an inspiration for all of us.

Professor Ian Chubb AC
Vice-Chancellor

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