April 28, 2026
Passing of Emeritus Professor Ken McKinnon AO
Transformational University Of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor remembered for vision, leadership and lasting legacy
The University of Wollongong (UOW) acknowledges with deep sadness the passing of Emeritus Professor Ken McKinnon AO, the University's second Vice-Chancellor, who served from 1981 to 1994.
Professor McKinnon's legacy is profound and far-reaching. His transformative leadership elevated a young regional University to national prominence through strategic foresight, hands-on engagement, and an unwavering commitment to putting people first.
"Professor Ken McKinnon was a visionary leader whose impact on the University of Wollongong has been long lasting and deeply felt," UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Max Lu AO said.
"He had the foresight to build not just an institution, but a culture that values innovation, inclusivity and real-world impact. The University we are today is in no small part the result of his leadership, determination and belief in what Wollongong could become."
During his tenure, Professor McKinnon oversaw UOW's rapid evolution into a comprehensive university with world-class research and teaching. He led the amalgamation with the Wollongong Institute of Education, expanded academic disciplines, drove the development of UOW's iconic leafy campus, and established UOW's first international campus in Dubai - all of which embedded a culture of innovation and ambition that continues to define the University.
Professor McKinnon believed universities should both generate knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society. He championed access to education, fostered institutional confidence, and advanced a model of higher education that connected research, teaching and real-world impact. His leadership helped establish UOW as a university that was both globally ambitious and deeply connected to its community.
Following his retirement, Professor McKinnon remained deeply connected to the University. Together with his wife, Sue Walker, he made significant philanthropic contributions that continue to support students, researchers, and new ideas.
In 2016, the couple established the McKinnon Walker Trust with a $1.3 million gift to foster innovation across the University. Their commitment continued with a landmark $5 million donation in 2024 to establish research fellowships, support future generations of scholars, and reinforcing UOW's capacity to address global challenges.
The University extends its sincere condolences to Sue Walker, Professor McKinnon's family, friends and colleagues. His legacy will endure in the institution he helped build and in the many lives shaped by his leadership, vision, and generosity.