New Convocation members strengthen alumni voice
- By Deborah Minors
Three alumni were elected as Executive Committee (EXCO) of Convocation members in a bi-election in July 2011. Stacey-Lee Bolon, Dr Jonathan Witt and Justice Ralph Zulman filled vacancies left by the election of Professor Mamokgethi Setati as President and the resignation of two members. The trio will complete their predecessors’ remaining terms of office, which expires in 2014.
Convocation refers to the statutory body comprised of degree graduates and academic staff. It is the University’s largest constituency (about 120 000 alumni) and elects the Chancellor.
Industrial psychologist Stacey-Lee Bolon (BA 2006, BA Hons 2008/9, MA (Industrial Psychology) 2009) is a performance management specialist in a bank. She has represented South Africa in karate and holds 11 international rankings. In motivating for her election to Convocation, Bolon wrote that she would like to maintain a relationship with her alma mater and support a committee that strives to maintain the reputation of the University. “I feel Wits alumni can obtain a more aggressive representation,” added Bolon.
Dr Jonathan Witt (BA Hons 2006, MBBCh 2010) is a medical intern at the Gauteng Department of Health and district superintendent at St John’s Ambulance. He was formerly Vice-President/President of the Medical School Students’ Council at Wits. In 2010, he won the Medical School’s Gilbert Cottrill Prize for dedication to extracurricular activities. Witt also holds degrees in film. “Through Convocation, I aim to enhance the cohesiveness of the Wits family to achieve its goals,” wrote Witt in his motivation.
Ralph Zulman, SC (BCom 1959, LLB 1961) is a retired Supreme Court Judge and a former advocate. As a student, Zulman served on the Students’ Representative Council, and chaired the Wits constitution committee and Law Students’ Council. He was later an honorary professor at Wits involved with equality training. He has held honorary professorships at several South African, American and Australian universities. “I believe that Wits has an important role to play in promoting education, particularly that of previously disadvantaged people,” wrote Zulman in his motivation. Through EXCO, he envisages increasing active communication with alumni