White smoke as Trinity elects its youngest provost in 250 years [Independent.ie]
- Published: 04 April 2011
Trinity academics had to hand up their mobile phones before going in to elect the university's new provost, Professor Patrick Prendergast.
Prof Prendergast (44), the youngest provost at Trinity since 1758, will take over from Dr John Hegarty in the summer for a 10-year period.
Strict secrecy surrounds the voting process, which is similar in style to the closed room meeting known as the conclave, which elects the Pope.
It is unique in Britain and Ireland for selecting a university head.
Trinity's 700 academic staff were entitled to vote, and about 80pc of them turned up for Saturday's conclave in the college's Dining Hall. The event lasted almost four hours.
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