Paul Taylor
Paul is a Civil Engineering graduate of 1962 and has spent all his professional life as a Consulting Engineer. His constituency is firstly the “senior” Alumni followed by their next generation down and thence to the 3rd generation.
He has seen a number of changes at WITS over the years especially in the demographics of both staff and students. With student numbers now exceeding 35 000 including postgraduates, 35 graduation ceremonies are required every year, each with the same pomp, dignity and celebration. Paul has witnessed these advancements at every graduation ceremony at which he has had the privilege to officiate as a member of Convocation Exco. The politics remain robust, from the Academic Freedom Campaign of 1959 to the Fees must Fall campaign of 2016/2017.
Paul remains in contact with many of his offshore constituents to whom he often sends messages informing them of the universities challenges, developments and activities.
His achievements over 3 terms in office at Convocation Exco include his continuous encouragement and support to recent graduates to get onto the list of Alumni in order to stay informed and involved. He is committed to reconnecting those who have been “lost” from the Wits system – out of an estimated 150 000+ living WITS graduates around the world of all ages (including 3 known Centenarians living in the Johannesburg /Pretoria area who are older than their soon to be 100 year old Alma Mater).
That makes it the largest, most widespread and diverse constituency of the university (and potentially the most powerful).
The Alumni Club has an entrance fee of R0.00 and an annual subscription of R0.00. So, free Life Membership and an energetic Alumni Office that keeps its members regularly informed and in touch, and likewise the University authorities from the Chancellor down.
Paul Taylor B.Sc (Eng.) 1962