11 December 2000 Christmas message from the Chancellor

Christmas and the year's end is always a convenient time to catch our breath, take stock, assess where we have been over the past 12 months, and look ahead to where we are going and what we have to do in the future.

The year 2000 has been an extraordinarily active one for Lincoln University but we have survived it. The successes the year has brought have been due in no small measure to the leadership, energy and vision of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Frank Wood.

I would like to place on record my gratitude to Dr Wood for his drive and his total commitment to the well-being of Lincoln University.

Equally, I express my gratitude to all the members of staff who have risen so commendably to the demands made on them this year. The Academic Audit, for example, and under Professor Roger Field, the preparation of the self-review document which led up to it. This involved everyone in an immense amount of work but we got there and the University achieved an excellent report which will guide improvement in the future.

Other examples are the Graduation Ceremony here in Christchurch and the international ceremony in Malaysia. Both of these also involved great dedication and effort, but what a sense of pride they gave us all.

The Malaysian ceremony was the largest overseas graduation yet mounted by a New Zealand university. Another claim for Lincoln, and a real credit to the small team under Bev Atkinson who put it together so professionally.

The University's submission to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification led by Professor Roy Bickerstaffe was another example of hard work by a dedicated team. What a balanced, responsible presentation they compiled, and seemingly well received by the Commission.

On behalf of the University Council I pay tribute to all staff members for their commitment to excellence in every facet of the University's activities.

Everyone contributes to the whole and everyone has a place in the success of this University as a place of scholarship, be it in the quality of the external environment, the nature of the services for students and staff or in the interactions which contribute to further development.

As the year draws to a close, the Council salutes the University and thanks all staff members for their work during the year. We wish you a happy and restful festive season.

Margaret Austin, Chancellor, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand