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UFS sympathises with the passing of Dr Dolf van Niekerk

03 January 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Evert Kleynhans

The University of the Free State (UFS) would like to express its condolences to the family and friends of South African author, Dr Dolf van Niekerk, on his passing.

Dr Van Niekerk, the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the UFS, passed away on 31 December 2022. The UFS awarded a Doctor of Letters to Dr Dolf van Niekerk during its April 2021 graduation ceremony.

Dr Van Niekerk was a celebrated author who also achieved fame as a dramatist and radio presenter. An alumnus of the UFS, he received a BA degree from the university cum laude in 1949. He also played a role in academia and was an emeritus professor at the University of Pretoria until his retirement in 1994. His work includes 27 books in philosophy, poetry, fiction, drama, and memoirs, for which he has received numerous awards. These include the Eugene Marais Prize, the MER Prize, and the Scheepers Award for Youth Literature.

“Dr van Niekerk is a Kovsie alumnus with a deep connection to the Free State. He played a significant role in the country’s literary history, and it was an honour for the university to award him with an honorary degree. A wordsmith of note, Dr van Niekerk’s contributions to South African literature, radio, and stage will live on," says Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

News Archive

Alumni are invited to the Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony and Chancellor’s luncheon

2015-07-28

Outstanding alumni to be celebrated at the Chancellor’s luncheon on 29 August 2015.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is excited to be hosting its alumni on the Bloemfontein Campus from 28 to 29 August during Reunion Weekend 2015. In addition to semi-structured social events designed to bring together classmates from similar eras, an anchor event for the weekend will be the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award begins a tradition that honours excellent alumni who exemplify superior academic and/or human achievement. Recipients will embody the spirit of a transformed, inclusive society, and the modernised intent of the UFS.

A maximum of three (3) awards will be designated annually. This inaugural slate of recipients will set the tone for future entrants into this community of accomplished alumni. Nominations were accepted until 24 July 2015 from the university and alumni constituencies.

The Rectorate-endorsed awardees will be announced and celebrated at the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon, which will be held on Saturday 29 August 2015 at 12:00 in the Centenary Complex. Click here to purchase your tickets, the proceeds of which will go to the No Student Hungry Bursary Programme.

Please visit the alumni website for additional information about the weekend’s activities.

More articles about the #UFSReunion15:

UFS to host alumni from across the globe during Reunion Weekend 2015 – 28 to 29 August 2015

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