PAST and present university staff and students are mourning the loss of a former pro-vice chancellor.

Dr Graham Rodmell, 68, who held the position at Durham University, has died after a short illness.

His association with the university began half a century ago, when he enrolled as an undergraduate at University College.

He gained a first-class BA honours degree, then a PhD, and after a brief spell as a teacher, held lecturing posts at Nottingham University, before returning to Durham as a lecturer in French.

During his time there, Mr Rodmell undertook welfare tutoring and spent several years as part of the university's planning and management team, as dean of the faculty of arts then pro-vice-chancellor, from 1988 to 1994.

He played a major role in establishing methods of assessing teaching standards and quality assurance, and acted as an institutional auditor for the Quality Assurance Agency at national level.

In 1992, he helped create an international office with a full-time director.

Mr Rodmell and his late wife, Barbara, who taught drama at New College, Durham, served as tutors at Durham University's St Aidan's College. Mr Rodmell chaired the college's governing body for some years. In 1997, he published a history of its first 50 years.

Durham University vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: "I never had the privilege to work with Dr Rodmell, but I know from others what a dedicated university man he was.

"He made a spirited contribution to department and college life."

Mr Rodmell leaves a daughter and two sons.