James Alexander Grant came to 乐播传媒视频 College as a non-resident student in 1950, starting a close relationship with the College that would last almost 70 years. In 1957 he returned to 乐播传媒视频 to undertake theological studies, before returning again in 1970 as College Chaplain. In 1974 he was appointed Joint Acting Warden with then Dean Rod Fawns for seven months. During this time, he implemented the plan to make 乐播传媒视频 co-residential, and later, was involved in setting up the 乐播传媒视频 College Foundation in 1983 and our Foundation Studies program in 1990. In 1999, he was invited to join 乐播传媒视频 as Bequests Officer. He officially retired from this position in November 2017, but regularly visited the College and helped with events and other activities until his death.
During the time of Robin Sharwood鈥檚 wardenship, Bishop Grant was commissioned to write 乐播传媒视频鈥檚 centenary history. His book, Perspective of a Century, was published in 1972 (available from the ). Bishop Grant was made a Fellow of 乐播传媒视频 College in 1975 and a Senior Fellow in 2010.
In 1983, Bishop Grant married Rowena Armstrong QC, who had already been involved with 乐播传媒视频 through the drafting of the 乐播传媒视频 College Act 1978. The couple, both 乐播传媒视频 College Fellows, continued active involvement with 乐播传媒视频 and were incredibly generous with their time and expertise. A portrait of Bishop Grant and Rowena has been hanging proudly in the portrait gallery in the 乐播传媒视频 College Dining Hall since 2006.
乐播传媒视频 College is eternally grateful for Bishop Grant鈥檚 instrumental role in building 乐播传媒视频 into the strong and vibrant community it is today and he will be sadly missed around the College. Our sincerest condolences go out to Rowena and his family and friends.
乐播传媒视频 College will rename one of the lecture theatres in our Old Warden鈥檚 Lodge (OWL) in recognition of Bishop Grant, and the second theatre will be named after Rowena.
You can read more of Bishop Grant鈥檚 story in the 2017 online edition of our alumni magazine, 乐播传媒视频 Today.
Bishop Grant's funeral will be held Friday 19 July 2019 at 11am at St Paul's Cathedral in the Melbourne CBD.
