The 2025 Chronicle

including my fellow recipients this afternoon, Vincent Car ruthers and Sandy Inglis. With an award such as this, it is appropriate to look back and to reflect on the influences that played a critical part in one’s journey. So, who were the significant influences in my jour ney? I would like to pay special tribute to my teachers here at Michaelhouse, in particular Mr John Robinson, who taught me physics, and Mrs Patricia Crossley, who was my applied mathematics teacher. As I consider my career over the past 54 years, it is clear to me that the solid foundations laid by “Ponk” Robinson and Pat Crossley during my matric and post-matric years have been crit ical in whatever I have been able to accomplish. The physics and applied mathematics I learned from these two outstanding teachers has been central to both my under graduate and postgraduate studies, my subsequent research on the mechanics of human locomotion, and my most recent work on the development of advanced medical imaging tools to diagnose cancer. One of the marvellous additions to the campus over the past few years has been the sculpture at the entrance to the school of St Michael slaying the dragon. This magnificent and imposing artwork, created by OM Robbie Leggat, per fectly captures the Book of Revelation, chapter 12, verses 7 to 9, in which the Archangel Michael, who is God’s champi on, defeats Satan – represented by the dragon – and expels him from heaven. This is a powerful image and, with the award today, it has giv en me pause for thought. How can I make a difference in this world? One of the scourges that afflicts women, in both the developed and developing world, is breast cancer, with one in eight women diagnosed with the disease. However, if detected early enough the women can be treated successfully and lead long and meaningful lives. As you heard in my citation, I am currently hard at work on the development of a novel three-dimensional ultrasound device that is portable and powered by artificial intelligence. These two features – portability and AI – will enable our system to be brought to millions of women living in rural locations. So, I hope that in some small way I can contribute to slaying the dragon that is breast cancer. I would like to conclude with a few thanks: to the school for honouring me with the St Michael Award; to Jamie Inglis, a pre vious recipient of the award, who nominated me; and my fam ily, including my late parents Peter and Margaret, who had the foresight to send me to Michaelhouse in 1967. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my wife Joan, who is here this afternoon, for the unconditional love and support she has given me over the past 50 years.

– admonishing his father for his excessive use of adverbs, “the last refuge of a poor writer” – as well as editing his father’s book about the academic rating system. Kit enjoys his golf, having represented Western Transvaal as a junior, and recently served as a successful Captain of the Royal Cape Golf Club, South Africa’s oldest club, having been established in 1885. He is understandably proud of his long jump record of 7.37m set in 1975 at Rhodes University, a record which apparently still stands 50 years later. For the past 15 years Kit has dedicated himself to the develop ment of innovative systems for the detection of breast cancer, a disease that can be treated successfully if diagnosed at an ear ly stage. The first of these systems, which received the stamp of approval with the CE Mark awarded by the European Union, was a world first, combining both X-rays and ultrasound in the same device. More recently, he has been hard at work on the development of a novel 3D ultrasound device that is portable, and builds on the latest developments in artificial intelligence that will enable the system to be brought to millions of women living in rural locations. Kit has a truly innovative approach to medicine, as evidenced by the number of patents he holds worldwide. In South Africa, he holds patents for a child safety seat, a neck-support sys tem, an artificial ankle joint and an egg fertilisation monitor. In the US, he holds a patent for a wrist brace to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, and in the UK a patent on dual modality imaging for breast cancer. Kit Vaughan has been a remarkable contributor to the better ment of people’s lives. There is little doubt that his work has saved many lives as well contributing to the treatment and re covery of many people having musculoskeletal problems. His life’s work goes far beyond the ordinary call of duty, and he has pushed the boundaries of knowledge and has benefited humankind. A former governor of Michaelhouse remarked as follows: “Kit has proved to be a high-performance all-rounder yet remains firmly grounded as a modest self-effacing man with a good sense of humour. He is a pleasure to know and socialise with and a great credit to the school that set him on life’s way.” Kit Vaughan’s distinguished record speaks for itself and there can hardly be a more worthy candidate for the St Michael Award. ACCEPTANCE RESPONSE FROM KIT VAUGHAN Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and the young men of Michaelhouse. It is both a great honour and extremely hum bling to be recognised with the St Michael Award today. In deed, it is a significant privilege to be considered in the same league as distinguished OMs who have received this award,

I am so proud. House just keeps delivering while maintaining a friendly and happy school. Pat Noel, Facebook

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