14 April 2010 Doctorate awards up at Lincoln University graduation

Over 590 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded by New Zealand's specialist land-based university, Lincoln University, at its 2010 Graduation Ceremony in Christchurch Town Hall on Friday 16 April, starting at 2.00pm.

The awards will include 24 doctorates, up from 19 last year,  in areas of research including Marketing, Landscape Architecture, Plant Science, Soil Biogeochemistry, Dairy Systems Analysis and Entrepreneurship.

Among those graduating are Wilfred Isak April from Namibia who has completed a Lincoln University PhD and now aspires to pursue a second doctorate; and Sarena Che Omar from Malaysia who will receive a Bachelor of Science with Honours and has now been accepted for a place at Oxford University.

Special awards to be made at the ceremony include two honorary doctorates, the Bledisloe Medal and the Alumni International Medal.

The honorary doctorates being awarded are  -
Doctor of Science, honoris causa, to Garth Carnaby of Christchurch, former Managing Director of the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and Canesis Ltd and current President of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Doctor of Natural Resources, honoris causa, to Rob Fenwick of Auckland, co-founder of Living Earth Ltd, New Zealand's principal commercial compost company, and a past chair of Landcare Research and Antarctica NZ.

Lincoln University's Bledisloe Medal goes to Ian Donald of Auckland, who held senior positions with Fletcher Challenge and its predecessor Challenge Corporation, in a business career with those companies spanning 25 years. He also chaired Landcare Research for five years.

The recipient of Lincoln University's Alumni International Medal is David Rendall of Christchurch who has had a 30-year career working in developing countries on aid projects,  poverty alleviation, crisis management and human resource development and has held senior United Nations Operations positions including posts in Africa, Iraq and Timor.

The Graduation ceremony will be presided over by Lincoln University's Chancellor, Tom Lambie.