The 2025 Golden Eagle Award is presented to Dr James Ridley (Nash 1958 | Sixth Form 1959), whose remarkable six-decade journey from St John’s College to international academic distinction and community service embodies the values of intellectual excellence, humility, and quiet leadership.
Dr Ridley’s connection to St John’s began in Pre-Prep and continued uninterrupted through Upper V and Sixth Form. As a Nash House Prefect, he participated in rugby, music, and numerous clubs and societies. His early inclination toward service was evident during the 1957 flu epidemic, when he volunteered as an orderly, taking temperatures and caring for his fellow students. This deep sense of responsibility and compassion, formed during his formative years at St John’s, would go on to define the character of his life and career.
Dr Ridley graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1963 with first-class honours in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. He went on to complete his PhD at Imperial College London, a launchpad to a distinguished academic career.
Returning to South Africa, he joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), where he served for over three decades as a Senior Lecturer and later as an Associate Professor, eventually becoming Head of the Mathematics Department. His influence extended far beyond the lecture hall. “James was a superb teacher in his role as professor at Wits. His curriculum was always well formulated and the concepts presented in a sequence accessible to students,” noted Dr Stephen Sproule, Head of Mathematics at St John’s College, and former colleague at Wits.
“His teaching of advanced maths classes offered an almost unique interplay between the highly abstract nature of the topics and concrete examples or applications that aided comprehension of challenging concepts," said Dr Sproule, praising his ability to make complex mathematics accessible, a hallmark of Dr Ridley's teaching philosophy. However, Dr Sproule also recalls with a smile, "James was known for his tough tests. With great teaching comes high expectations."
His research spanned pure mathematics, from group theory to combinatorics, and found practical applications in engineering, from control theory to neural networks. With over 45 published papers -- from botany to coding theory -- Dr Ridley’s intellectual legacy is diverse and far-reaching.
Dr Ridley's appointment as Head of Department represented a continuation of St John's College's profound influence on mathematical sciences at Wits. As a student, he was taught statistics by John Kerrich, an Old Johannian who matriculated in 1921 and the founding Head of the Statistics department at Wits. "James continued the profound impact of St John's scholars on the mathematical sciences at Wits, when he became the Head of the Mathematics department," said Dr Sproule.
As a departmental leader, Dr Ridley was highly regarded because of his academic achievements and publications, all the while respected for his leadership and administration capacity within the department. He was able to support and value the NRF-rated researchers in the department, while remaining committed to the teaching of graduate and undergraduate students."
What sets Dr Ridley apart is not only the breadth of his academic work but also his substantial investment in lifelong education. He has mentored generations of Mathematics and Science educators who have shaped national and international teaching. His engineering mathematics teaching materials, still in use today, were formally transferred to university ownership in 2018, ensuring his innovative methods continue to shape generations of learners.
True to the St John’s ethos of service before self, Dr Ridley has provided free tutoring through initiatives like the Christ Church Christian Care Centre and the Ignition Programme in Alexandra. Even in retirement, he continues to teach mathematics at Roedean School and mentors emerging talent through the South African Mathematics Olympiad programme.
His commitment to community extends into the arts and faith life. He served as Treasurer and Chair of the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, combining his organisational skills and love of music. At St Francis Church, Parkview, he has served faithfully as organist and Parish Councillor, described by The Revd Diana Lawrenson as “a magnificent human being.”
Dr Ridley continues to nurture the Old Johannian spirit through the lunch club he founded, which meets regularly at The Johannian Club. This simple yet meaningful initiative reflects his belief that community is built through consistent personal connection.
At 83, he remains intellectually and physically active, running 5km Parkruns and attending Pilates. A polyglot and polymath, his zest for life, languages, and learning reflects a mind that is ever curious and a heart that is ever open.
The Golden Eagle Award recognises not just achievement, but impact -- and Dr Ridley’s impact is immeasurable. His legacy lives in the students he has inspired, the communities he has strengthened, and the values he has modelled.
With humility, rigour, and compassion, Dr James Ridley has lived the Johannian ideal. We are honoured to celebrate him as the recipient of the 2025 Golden Eagle Award.
