A prominent Catholic financier and philanthropist has been installed as the new Chancellor at Leeds Trinity, one of England’s four Catholic universities.
John Studzinski CBE is the founder and chairman of the Genesis Foundation, which supports and nurtures outstanding artists and creative professionals; Vice-Chair Emeritus of Human Rights Watch; and founding president of the Arise Foundation, which furthers anti-slavery work on four continents.
The US-born British citizen, who in 2017 was named by the Catholic Herald as Catholic Of The Year, has a career spanning four decades in investment management and asset management, including for HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Blackstone and most recently as Managing Director and Vice-Chairman of PIMCO.
His 1 October installation began with a Service of Thanksgiving in St Anne’s Cathedral, celebrated by the Rev Monsignor Paul Grogan, Episcopal Vicar for Education at the Diocese of Leeds.
Dr Ann Marie Mealey (pictured), the university’s Director of Catholic Mission, gave the opening address at the service. She said: “Our motto of Education for Hope should be a sign to everyone who works, studies, leads or interacts in any way with our university that we are seeking to provide excellence in all subject disciplines as well as the opportunity for students and staff to develop as people ready to engage in civic life as persons of goodwill.
“Our hope is to humanise the world through teaching, scholarship, community engagement and projects that enhance the dignity of everyone, especially the most marginalised in our communities. We try to see everyone through the lens of hope and thereby open ourselves up the transformative power of education to develop the inherent potential in everyone – informed by faith.”
Symbolic items related to the university were presented during the service, including its first prospectus from 1966.
Following the service the assembled walked to Leeds Civic Hall. The procession was a symbol and reminder that the Church serves the world, and of the Catholic university’s mission to go out and act as a beacon of light for the transformation of lives for the betterment of self, society and the world at large - ‘encouraging real involvement on the part of each and all’ [Pope Francis, October 9, 2021].
The installation ceremony took place at the civic hall, attended by staff, students, alumni and dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Leeds. It was presided over by Leeds Trinity’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Egbu, and the Vice Chair of the Board of Governors, Kevin O’Connor.
John Studzinski CBE said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to become Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University. I am excited by its blend of educational excellence along with its values-based approach, as it equips the young people of today to become the leaders of tomorrow.
“In all my activities, my goal is to nurture and sustain human dignity, and I see my new role with the university as compatible with that. I look forward to engaging with and working with Leeds Trinity and the Leeds community over my term of office.”
The role of Chancellor is ceremonial, acting as an ambassador for the university, with responsibilities including the conferment of degrees at graduation ceremonies.
The installation took place on the same day that the university launched its new Leeds City Campus at 1 Trevelyan Square.