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20 January 2022 Alumni recognised for agricultural sector contribution
Three notable Lincoln alumni, all notable figures in the agricultural sector in New Zealand, were recognised in the New Year Honours
Dr Mike Dunbier became a Companion of NZ Order of Merit (CZNM), Dr Peter Fennessy an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), and Jessie Chan a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM).
Dr Dunbier, recognised for services to agricultural science, was also a Lincoln University Bledisloe medal winner in 2005. He was a Chair of the Lincoln-based BioProtection Research Centre Board and Director of DSIR Crop Research from 1983 to 1992 before being appointed as the foundation CEO of the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd until 2001.
He has had a lead role in shaping much of the development of research in New Zealand’s arable vegetable, floriculture and food industries
He has Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and Master of Agricultural Science(Hons) degrees from Lincoln.
Dr Fennessy was recognised for services to agricultural science and business. He has had a broad and distinguished career as a scientist, mentor, consultant, and entrepreneur over 45 years.
He was General Manager of AgResearch Invermay from 1992 to 1997. He then entered the private sector, founding AbacusBio in 2001.
He has held governance and management roles across numerous small-to-medium agri-and biotechnology start-ups and enterprises in New Zealand.
He has Bachelor of Agricultural Science, and Master of Agricultural Science degrees from Lincoln.
Ms Chan was recognised for services to dairy and agriculture, and has been contributing to the dairy and agricultural industry through her management and governance roles for 20 years.
She is a graduate of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which is run on-campus, and a board member of Lincoln-based Bioprotection Aotearoa.
Since 2013 she has been a member of the Ruralco Board, becoming Chair in 2021, and has a focus on gender diversity and equity from the executive level through to the shop floor. She is also a Director of Ngāi Tahu Farming Limited, and Alpine Energy Limited.
Image; Jessie Chan, Dr Peter Fennessy and Dr Mike Dunbier.