A former top academic at Bolton Institute of Higher Education has died at the age of 91. Eric Wollaston was recruited to BIHE, now the University of Bolton , Greater Manchester, in 1968 as principal lecturer for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) courses. He was promoted to Head of Department for Humanities and Community Studies, with a mission to get the degrees approved so they could be awarded by the college itself, instead of having to be done via the University of London.
His daughter Helen said: “This was all part of the masterplan for getting university status . He respected the commitment of mature students doing part-time degrees and was keen to encourage those who did not have the advantage of a privileged family background. Eric Wollaston with staff from Bolton Institute of Higher Education “One of his less successful students, academically at least, went on to achieve fame as Howard Devoto, lead singer of punk rock band the Buzzcocks .
” A committed Christian, Eric took early retirement in 1983 to return to learning, joining Northern College in Manchester where he trained for ministry in the United Reformed Church. His last paid employment was as a chaplain in Withington Hospital, Manchester, until his retirement. Bolton finally received University status in 2005.
Born on October 17 1932 in Surbiton, Surrey, to Maurice and May, Eric was evacuated with his two siblings to Atherton in Lancashire during the blitz of the Second World War. He won a scholarship to Surbiton .