Dundee's rector is installed The Courier 5-13-1998 Behind the comic antics, dry ice and unconvincing stage faints came a personal pledge from Anthony Declan James Slattery as he was installed as the new rector of Dundee University yesterday. The TV and big screen funny man, better known as Tony, said he would put his "heart and soul" into his latest role. After being sworn in by Principal and Vice Chancellor Dr Ian Graham-Bryce at a ceremony in the Bonar Hall, he said, "The oath I just swore is an important one. For the record, this is the most important thing I have done professionally in my life." He shared his own recent private grief with the audience of about 200, out of which has come a pride in his affiliation with Dundee. He told them, "My father died painfully of throat cancer a couple of months ago. It is very moving for me that Dundee is a centre for cancer research. I wish he could be here today to hear this rambling recital." Earlier in the proceedings, Mr Slattery took a declaration of office to fulfill his duties as required and protect the rights of the students he now represents. For a man who thrives on the spontaneity of such programmes as Whose Line Is It Anyway - the installation as rector was never destined to be a sombre affair. Opening his address to the strains of You Only Live Twice as dry ice belched across the floor, Slattery emerged stage right skidding into view on his knees. He explained that a sage had advised him to make an entrance. Later, he demonstrated one of his lesser-known attributes as "master of the unconvincing stage faint." He said it remained in his armoury and he would use all available techniques to put Dundee and its students at the centre of the academic map of excellence. "The proof of the pudding does not come here. It is how I represent student interests in the University Court." Earlier in the day he had joined with students in the City Square to take part in the traditional coach-bearing which took a weaving route via a selection of local hostelries. As yesterday evening's ceremony drew to a close, the new rector proferred that the celebrations should pick up where they left off - at the pub, where they could drink to his installation.