Oration Medal University Medical Center Utrecht

Speaking and listening. This is what an inaugural speech is about. With this public discourse the newly appointed professor officially accepts the office, in the presence of among others his colleagues, dressed in robes, who have previously been in his place.

For the visualization of this important ceremony Willem Nyons was inspired by the archetypal form of the ancient amphitheater, which was carved out of a mountain. He started with a blank medal form in which the seating areas for the public are cut out. On the flip side of the medal there are the three steps to the speaker’s platform. In this way the core of the academic practice - the interaction between speaking and listening – is depicted on two sides of the medal. Henceforth, every newly appointed professor at the University Medical Center Utrecht will receive this medal as a congratulation and an encouragement at his oration.