Eminent Auckland graduates honoured
Eight leading figures in fields as diverse as botany, engineering, literature, law, Maori business, music, rowing and surgery will honoured by The University of Auckland this coming Friday (7 March).
They will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards, reserved for graduates who
have made outstanding contributions to their professions, their communities and the nation, at a gala dinner for 600 people.
World champion single sculler Mahe Drysdale, who is vying with Rob Waddell to row for New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics, will pick up the Young Alumnus of the Year Award for 2007. He was competing at the time of last year's dinner and could not attend to receive his award.
John Chen, a gifted pianist who has won major competitions and performed internationally since gaining his Master of Music degree aged 18, is the 2008 Young Alumnus of the Year. He will accept his award on a video recorded in Los Angeles where he is studying at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.
Sir Ron Carter, a prominent engineer and business leader who chairs the Committee for Auckland. A former chairman of the Beca Group and a director of many companies, he was knighted in 1998. In 2001 The University of Auckland awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering.
Emeritus Professor Carrick Chambers, a distinguished Australasian botanist. He was Professor of Botany at The University of Melbourne for 20 years and of director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney for ten years. A New Zealand fern, Blechnum chambersii, is named in his honour.
Dr James Church, internationally regarded as an outstanding colorectal surgeon and surgical researcher. He was in the first graduating class at the School of Medicine at The University of Auckland and holds a personal chair in surgery at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
The Hon Justice Lowell Goddard, who has been at the forefront of criminal law and procedure. The first woman of Maori descent to be appointed to the High Court bench in 1995, she is also the first woman to hold the position of Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Emeritus Professor C.K. Stead, acclaimed poet, novelist, essayist and literary critic who has been one of New Zealand's leading literary figures for half a century. He was a Professor of English at Auckland for 20 years and in 2007 was admitted to the Order of New Zealand, limited to 20 living people.
Lynette Stewart, a Maori leader recognised for her innovative leadership at governance and senior management level. She chairs the Northland District Health Board, is CEO for Te Tai Tokerau Mapo Trust, and has contributed outstandingly to the health and well-being of the people of Te Tai Tokerau.
Guest speaker at the dinner will be Chris Liddell, Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft Corporation. An engineering alumnus from The University of Auckland, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.
The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, will open the formal part of the evening with a short address.
Eight leading figures in fields as diverse as botany, engineering, literature, law, Maori business, music, rowing and surgery will honoured by The University of Auckland this coming Friday (7 March).
They will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards, reserved for graduates who
have made outstanding contributions to their professions, their communities and the nation, at a gala dinner for 600 people.
World champion single sculler Mahe Drysdale, who is vying with Rob Waddell to row for New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics, will pick up the Young Alumnus of the Year Award for 2007. He was competing at the time of last year's dinner and could not attend to receive his award.
John Chen, a gifted pianist who has won major competitions and performed internationally since gaining his Master of Music degree aged 18, is the 2008 Young Alumnus of the Year. He will accept his award on a video recorded in Los Angeles where he is studying at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.
Sir Ron Carter, a prominent engineer and business leader who chairs the Committee for Auckland. A former chairman of the Beca Group and a director of many companies, he was knighted in 1998. In 2001 The University of Auckland awarded him an honorary doctorate in engineering.
Emeritus Professor Carrick Chambers, a distinguished Australasian botanist. He was Professor of Botany at The University of Melbourne for 20 years and of director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney for ten years. A New Zealand fern, Blechnum chambersii, is named in his honour.
Dr James Church, internationally regarded as an outstanding colorectal surgeon and surgical researcher. He was in the first graduating class at the School of Medicine at The University of Auckland and holds a personal chair in surgery at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
The Hon Justice Lowell Goddard, who has been at the forefront of criminal law and procedure. The first woman of Maori descent to be appointed to the High Court bench in 1995, she is also the first woman to hold the position of Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Emeritus Professor C.K. Stead, acclaimed poet, novelist, essayist and literary critic who has been one of New Zealand's leading literary figures for half a century. He was a Professor of English at Auckland for 20 years and in 2007 was admitted to the Order of New Zealand, limited to 20 living people.
Lynette Stewart, a Maori leader recognised for her innovative leadership at governance and senior management level. She chairs the Northland District Health Board, is CEO for Te Tai Tokerau Mapo Trust, and has contributed outstandingly to the health and well-being of the people of Te Tai Tokerau.
Guest speaker at the dinner will be Chris Liddell, Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft Corporation. An engineering alumnus from The University of Auckland, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.
The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, will open the formal part of the evening with a short address.
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