In Summary

  • Professor Don Iverson was the inaugural Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design

The Swinburne community is deeply saddened by the passing of the inaugural Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Professor Don Iverson, on Friday 18 March.

Professor Iverson joined Swinburne in 2014, after having been with the University of Wollongong for 13 years. 

“Although his time with us at Swinburne was short, his impact on individuals and our organisation was significant,” says Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Linda Kristjanson.

“Don always saw the best in people. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious and he was a true innovator.”

Professor Iverson saw the opportunities there were between health, the humanities and design. He was passionate about cross-disciplinary research and the outcomes it could achieve. He was a driving force behind the establishment of Swinburne’s Centre for Design Innovation, a client-focused research centre that that looks at strategic and transformative design.

Professor Iverson also held numerous executive and senior management positions including teaching and research positions at the University of Toledo, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Toronto, NSW Health and Medical Research Strategic Review Committee, Executive Director of the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and establishing Australia’s national breast cancer research program for which he was honoured in 2008.

Swinburne extends its thoughts and sympathies to his wife, Lynne, daughter, Amelia and his many friends and colleagues. 

Donate to the Don Iverson Memorial Fund

The Donald Iverson Memorial Fund has been established to allow colleagues and friends who wish to celebrate Don’s life through making a gift to education. Donations to this fund will ensure that his enthusiasm for innovation in health research can continue.

Gifts made to the Donald Iverson Memorial Fund will be used to award a PhD Research Scholarship. Like Don, the recipient of this scholarship will be inspired to identify, understand and solve real-world health challenges.

Gifts can be made through the online giving portal or by contacting Michelle Macgregor Owen, Director of University Advancement on 03 9214 4768