Mr Egan served as the University’s Chancellor from 2008 until 2019, following a parliamentary career that lasted almost a quarter of a century. He served the people of New South Wales as the state’s longest-serving treasurer in Bob Carr’s Labor government and was a member of several government and non-government advisory boards including the Australia Day Council of NSW and the Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine and Cell Biology.
As Chancellor of Macquarie University, Mr Egan officiated over the graduation of more than 40,000 students. In 2022, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the University’s new graduation hall, which is named in his honour. Many will remember him fondly for the warmth and humour he brought to graduation ceremonies with his own idiosyncratic touches of theatre.
Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton said Mr Egan will be greatly missed.
“Michael Egan was an entirely unique individual with a sharp intellect, a wide array of interests and a unique, charming and captivating style of warm personal engagement.
“The University is greatly indebted to Mr Egan for the outstanding contribution he made to Macquarie, having led the University Council through a time of significant change. The sustained growth that was achieved during Mr Egan’s time as Chancellor was, in part, a result of his vision, leadership and steadfast advocacy for the University’s mission.
“The University extends its sincerest condolences to Mr Egan’s partner, family, friends and colleagues,” he said.
