Jonathan Webb is our 99th Rhodes Scholar

Monday, 12 December 2005

Jonathan Webb, from the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, is the University of Adelaide's 99th Rhodes Scholar.

Jonathan completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2001 and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Molecular Biology in 2004. He is currently doing PhD research at the University of Adelaide with Dr Kirk Jensen in the School of Molecular & Biomedical Science.

He is son of the late Bruce Webb AM, who was Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 1998 until 2000.

Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, passed on his congratulations to Jonathan, who was awarded an At Large Rhodes Scholarship this week.

"I couldn't be more pleased that the University of Adelaide's 99th Rhodes Scholar is such a wonderful person with such strong links to the University," Professor McWha said.

"In the tradition of the Rhodes Scholar, Jonathan Webb is a well-rounded individual, participating not only in academic life, but also in service to the community through Anglican Church outreach services, and fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS)."

Jonathan performed in two seasons of Les Misérables, which raised $165,000 for Multiple Sclerosis, and also allowed him to exercise his love of the arts. He has been involved with church and university choirs, and now sits on the executive of the Australian Intervarsity Choral Societies' Association.

"His family has strong connections with the University, both through his late father's time as Chancellor, but also most recently through the scholarship of Jonathan and his sister. At one stage, we had about five years of Webb family graduations as he and Anna completed first and second degrees, and Honours across various disciplines," Professor McWha said.

"Jonathan is also the fourth Rhodes scholar who has studied in the School of Molecular & Biomedical Science, which surely must be some kind of record."

This is the fourth consecutive year that a student from the University of Adelaide has achieved an At Large nomination. He will use the Rhodes Scholarship to undertake a Masters of Philosophy in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology at Oxford University.

The At Large Rhodes Scholarships are given in addition to the six Rhodes Scholarships awarded to each state of Australia and are also open to applicants from Australian territories.

Contact Details