Esteemed and valued colleague, educator and mentor to so many, Professor John Rochford, retired in September 2019 after 34 years of service. His retirement was very fittingly marked on January 10th by a symposium which celebrated the influence of John’s teaching and mentorship and the far-reaching impact he has had on his research area of wildlife biology. The symposium was organized by Prof. Celia Holland and Fiona Moloney who put together a fantastic variety of contributions. The speakers were all John’s former students who have gone on to make their mark in academia, journalism, public education and as professional ecologists and wildlife rangers.
We were given fascinating and entertaining insights into the varied careers of the speakers including Cameron Clotworthy, Divisional Ecologist, National Parks and Wildlife Service; Colin Lawton, lecturer at NUI Galway who brought us through 25 years of squirrel research in Ireland, a story that emerges from John’s research and supervision; Kathryn Freeman, Conservation Ranger, National Parks and Wildlife Service, who shared some wonderful encounters with wildlife (and teaspoons) in Killarney; Geoff Hamilton, Senior Ecologist with the ESB who introduced The Geragh and the monitoring of its fascinating ecology; Rebecca Jeffrey, Wildlife Inspector with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, gave an insight into the interface of politics and nature conservation; Ella McSweeney, journalist and broadcaster, showed how a love of wildlife biology has influenced such a successful broadcasting career; and Emma Murphy, Education Assistant, Natural History Museum, combined her passion for wildlife biology and public education. All speakers reflected a journey that began with the teachings, guidance and support of a truly inspirational biologist.
After the symposium, the celebrations continued in Trinity’s Senior Common Room where former students, friends and colleagues from Zoology and across the College gathered to celebrate and thank John and to wish him well in a new phase of his life that we hope will bring new challenges and rewards. Professor Yvonne Buckley, Chair of Zoology, made a presentation to John and spoke on behalf of everyone present about John’s dedication to the Department, to the field of Zoology and to his students; also, John’s meticulous work as Course Director and Director of the Biology Teaching Centre.
John has worn many hats over the last 34 years of service to Trinity College. Senior Lecturer and research supervisor in Zoology as well as Director of the Biology Teaching Centre from 1993 until his retirement. He started in 1985 as a temporary lecturer in Zoology, then as a part-time lecturer in Biology responsible for all first-year practical teaching, while also working as an environmental consultant, before being appointed to a permanent full-time lectureship with special responsibility for Biology teaching in 1991, promoted to Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor in 2001. The impact John has had on students and colleagues is therefore enormous.
Being responsible for all Biology practical sessions and co-ordinating all Biology teaching to first and second year students means that literally many thousands of students will have benefited from John’s enthusiasm, clarity and care. Biology labs are run throughout the year in multiple sittings of hundreds of students and that is when students first encounter John’s famous, clear and resounding voice. Through his 25 years as Director of the Biology Teaching Centre he has also interacted with every Biology School and Discipline as well as programmes in Health Sciences, and therefore with so many colleagues who have benefitted from John’s advice and guidance as well as the efficient running of the programmes. This was evident with the presence, thanks and good wishes of so many colleagues from the Biology Teaching Centre, Disciplines across Natural Sciences, Genetics and Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Physiology and many others.
Wearing his Zoology Department hat, John’s teaching and research has been the reason that very many students decided to specialise in Zoology. As evidenced by those who spoke at the symposium, students every year have been illuminated by his lectures and guided by his supervision resulting in a life-long passion for the field of wildlife biology, following very varied careers but carrying that influence along all paths. He was always inundated with students wishing to do their final year projects with him, and those fortunate to have that opportunity speak of what a supportive experience that was.
As Moderatorship Director (2012-2018), he set an example of meticulous care and attention to detail that we all aspire to. In particular, the preparation of data for the annual court of examiners is famous. As external examiner on programmes in other Universities, I troubled them by suggesting they implement John’s exemplary analysis and while they did not thank me at first, they invariably realised how valuable it was to the programme. John is also famous for his wonderful work on co-ordinating the final year General Zoology exam; the “spot test”. It is a unique exam for the breath of knowledge and the familiarity with zoology that it probes and for the engagement with “real” specimens that it entails. It is feared and loved in equal measure by students and remembered by all.
John was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Provost’s Teaching Award in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding teaching contributions. It should be noted that the category of lifetime achievement is awarded only rarely to those with truly exceptional contributions over their career and, in addition, the criteria include having a lasting influence on the discipline through inspiring academic colleagues in Trinity and beyond – this speaks for itself but was also clearly echoed by the words of many colleagues at the event on January 10th.
John’s dedication, not only as a lecturer and supervisor, but also as a tutor was also highlighted. He has made a difference to the success of many, many students with compassion and calm, solid support; going the extra mile to support and rescue students is not outside the norm for John. His knowledge of College regulations is legendary, and he can therefore provide clear and solid advice. He has served College in many other ways and has enhanced every aspect he contributed to. In recent years he nominated and hosted two outstanding Honorary Degree Graduates in the field of Zoology (Dr David Cabot, ornithologist and environmentalist, and Prof Terry Hughes, Marine Ecologist), bringing recognition to wonderful Zoology graduates but also highlighting the importance of the field across the College and to the Public.
The evening ended very convivially in the Trinity Inn, in the company of John and Angela and so many friends, and to make a great evening even better, this was not goodbye, as John will continue to teach in the Zoology Department where he will inspire present and future students. We hope he will have time also to enjoy other projects and plans.
“John is an exemplary academic whose level of commitment, attention to detail and care for students is incomparable. We will not see his like again”.
Celia Holland – Friend and Colleague of John Rochford for over 30 years.
About the Author Paula Murphy is a Professor in the Department of Zoology, where she researches the genetic regulation of embryonic development. The relationship between gene expression patterns and gene function has been a prominent part of her work, and detailed expression analysis is one of her specialisations. She is currently serving as the Registrar of Trinity College Dublin.