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Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh is one of several distinguished Western Australians whose contributions to the community will be recognised at The University of Western Australia during its autumn series of graduations for more than 3,800 students.

Dr Walsh became chief executive of Rio Tinto's iron ore group in 2004 and through his stewardship of the global mining company Dr Walsh has had a long and successful relationship with UWA.  This includes the gravity gradiometer with the School of Physics, the Rio Tinto Chair of Rock Art Studies, the Rio Tinto Asset Management Development program with the Business School and the five-year Rio Tinto-UWA Education Partnership.

He was also a foundation board member of the Energy and Minerals Institute in 2010 and a strong supporter of the In the Zone conference series.  Dr Walsh is now based in London after being appointed chief executive of Rio Tinto Group in January last year.  He will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce at the graduation ceremony to be held on Thursday 27 March, when he will also deliver the Graduation Address.

Michael Smith, chairman of The Australian Institute of Company Directors and former Chair of Perth International Arts Festival will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters and deliver the Graduation Address tomorrow night.

London-based independent corporate adviser in the engineering and technology sectors David MacKinlay will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce on Wednesday 26 March.  The UWA Engineering and Commerce graduate, who is also chair of UWA's Business School United Kingdom Chapter, will deliver the Graduation Address.

Co-founder of STA Travel and Director of STA Travel Group Dick Porter will be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Commerce on Wednesday 2 April.  Mr Porter will deliver the Graduation Address.

Chancellor's Medals will also be awarded to Emeritus Professor Ian Reid as well as long-serving UWA staff members Harvey von Bergheim and Rosemary Ingham, who both retired last year.  Professor Reid's medal recognises his contribution in overseeing the adoption of UWA's New Courses 2012.

Eleven graduation ceremonies will be held in Winthrop Hall, starting tonight and continuing until Wednesday 9 April.

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716