John Marcus Cassidy AO, an Australian engineer and pastoralist, was the sixth Chancellor of the University of New England, serving from 2004 until 2008.
[2] Cassidy was appointed chancellor by the University Council on 11 December 2003, and was installed at a graduation ceremony the following March.
In 2007, Cassidy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to university administration, to the civil engineering and construction industries, and to the community.
[4] In 2008, Cassidy became embroiled in a dispute with the university vice-chancellor, Alan Pettigrew over the demarcation of roles between the two offices.
[5] Despite attempts at mediation by Sir Laurence Street,[6] on 10 November 2008, it was announced that Cassidy's appointment as chancellor would not be renewed for a second term, and he was replaced by Richard Torbay.