Deirdre Jordan
Encyclopedia
Deirdre Frances Jordan, AC
, MBE
(born 18 September 1926) is an Australian academic and educator.
Born in Loxton, South Australia, Australia on 18 September 1926 to Clement and Helena (née Roberts) Jordan, she was educated at St Aloysius College
in Adelaide
, South Australia
, and joined the Religious Sisters of Mercy
when she was 19. With a Bachelor of Arts
behind her, Sister Jordan (then known as Sister Mary Campion) took on the position of Principal at St Aloysius College in 1954, remaining in that role until 1968.
While at St Aloysius, she completed a Masters in Education at the University of Adelaide
, becoming the first woman to do so. This led to a position as a lecturer at the University of Adelaide in Sociology
, where she remained until 1988. During this period she undertook a number of number of study tours, including to Tanzania
, China
and South America
.
She was appointed Pro-Chancellor
of The Flinders University of South Australia
in 1981 and subsequently Chancellor
in 1988. Retiring from the post in 2002 (delayed in order to fight plans for a merger between Flinders University and the University of Adelaide), she was granted the title of Emeritus Chancellor later that year.
Sister Deirdre Jordan became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 1 January 1969 for services to education, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on 26 January 1989.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 18 September 1926) is an Australian academic and educator.
Born in Loxton, South Australia, Australia on 18 September 1926 to Clement and Helena (née Roberts) Jordan, she was educated at St Aloysius College
St Aloysius College, Adelaide
St Aloysius College is a Catholic, day school for girls, situated in Adelaide, South Australia.St Aloysius College, also known as "SAC", was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, and educates over 950 students from Reception to Year 12....
in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and joined the Religious Sisters of Mercy
Religious Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Sisters of Mercy is a Religious Institute of Pontifical Right dedicated to the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy.It was established in 1973 in response to the renewal called for in the Second Vatican Council....
when she was 19. With a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
behind her, Sister Jordan (then known as Sister Mary Campion) took on the position of Principal at St Aloysius College in 1954, remaining in that role until 1968.
While at St Aloysius, she completed a Masters in Education at the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
, becoming the first woman to do so. This led to a position as a lecturer at the University of Adelaide in Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, where she remained until 1988. During this period she undertook a number of number of study tours, including to Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
She was appointed Pro-Chancellor
Pro-Chancellor
A Pro-Chancellor is an officer of some universities in Commonwealth countries. The Pro-Chancellor acts as a deputy to the Chancellor and as practical chairman of the University Council...
of The Flinders University of South Australia
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
in 1981 and subsequently Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
in 1988. Retiring from the post in 2002 (delayed in order to fight plans for a merger between Flinders University and the University of Adelaide), she was granted the title of Emeritus Chancellor later that year.
Sister Deirdre Jordan became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 1 January 1969 for services to education, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on 26 January 1989.