8 April 2016 Trio’s commitment to Lincoln celebrated

A committed trio more used to working hard behind the scenes had their time in the spotlight this week, as each were presented Lincoln University medals.

The awards recognise their long-term meritorious voluntary service and support to Lincoln University.

Lincoln University Chancellor, Tom Lambie, says all three had made, and were continuing to make, a big difference to the University in their roles.

Medal recipient, volunteer rugby coach Noel Hickland, is known as the “godfather of Lincoln University rugby”, and is a mentor, both on and off the field.

He has spent the past 12 years coaching many promising young “All Blacks-in-training” through the Lincoln University Rugby Club.

Under his guidance, the club won the Premier Colts Competition in 2011 and 2014.

The second member of the trio, the University’s Heritage Writer, Ian Collins, started as a journalist at Lincoln in 1987.

His role in communications and media work has had a number of iterations, but always with a focus on writing.

In 2011 he was given the honorary title Writer in Residence, and he has contributed to events, displays, presentations, functions, VIP visits and gatherings of all sorts on campus.

He has told the stories of Lincoln University and its people, and has contributed research, sections and chapters on Lincoln University to over 15 books.

The third medal recipient, Lincoln University Catering Manager Heather Watson, has given 29 years of service to Lincoln.

She is committed to caring for her community and the environment and is the driving force behind many University and Lincoln University Students’ Association events.

Her commitment is exemplified by her actions during the February 2011 earthquakes, living on-campus after the quake to make sure people staying on-site to help with recovery efforts were all fed.

She also ensured the University’s catering service received the highest award of platinum in the annual Lincoln Responsible Business Awards, for operating in an environmentally sustainable way.