Lincoln University graduation total up

Lincoln University graduation total up

Seven hundred and fifteen Lincoln students will receive degrees, diplomas and certificates at the University�fs 2003 Graduation Ceremony in Christchurch Town Hall on Friday (2 May), a figure up by around 70 on the total for last year�fs ceremony.

Just over 500 will be accepted in person and the remainder will be awarded in absentia.

The largest single category will be Commerce qualifications, making up 37 percent of the total, followed by Sciences, making up 20 percent.

A quarter of the total awards to be made will be postgraduate qualifications, highlighting Lincoln University�fs growing significance as a centre for postgraduate studies. This total includes 25 doctorates in a range of disciplines from Ecology and Conservation Biology to Molecular Genetics and Economics.

Other significant groupings include 66 degrees and diplomas in Viticulture and Oenology and 46 degrees, diplomas and certificates in Landscape Architecture.

A highlight of the ceremony will be the award of an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Natural Resources honoris causa) to ecologist, Wilderness Lodge operator and national President of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Dr Gerry McSweeney.

The University�fs Bledisloe Medal for distinguished contributions to New Zealand�fs land-based industries will be awarded to Otago-based sheep scientist Dr Jock Allison, a former Regional Director of Agricultural Research at Invermay Research Centre, Mosgiel.

Also to be presented will be two Lincoln University Excellence in Teaching Awards, to staff members Dr Chris Gan, a Senior Lecturer in Economics with the Commerce Division and Dr Pip Lynch, a Senior Lecturer in Outdoor and Environmental Education with the Environment, Society and Design Division

The Graduation Ceremony will be preceded by an Academic Procession through central Christchurch to the Town Hall, starting at 12.30pm.

The ceremony itself, presided over by University Chancellor Margaret Austin, starts at 2pm. �¡

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