11 April 1997 1997's April Graduation Ceremony

A record total of 857 degrees and diplomas (up from 835 last year) were awarded at this year's Lincoln Graduation, spread over two ceremonies in Christchurch Town Hall on 11 April. Of the total, 684 were awarded in person and 173 ‘in absentia’.

A feature of the occasion was the ‘maiden speech’ by Lincoln University's new Vice-Chancellor, Dr Frank Wood. It was Dr Wood's first public address since he took up his appointment on 1 March 1997 succeeding Professor Bruce Ross who is now Director-General of Agriculture. An Agricultural Science graduate of Massey University with a PhD from the University of Canterbury, Dr Wood was formerly Chief Executive of New Zealand Forest Research Institute, Rotorua.

At the Graduation an Honorary Doctor of Commerce degree was conferred on the University's first Chancellor and former Dominion President of Federated Farmers, Sir Allan Wright of Sheffield, and the University's Bledisloe Medal for outstanding contributions advancing New Zealand's interests was presented to Emeritus Professor of Soil Science T.W. ("John") Walker of Christchurch.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand