30 October 1984 Student life at Lincoln College

Ask students who have spent time at Lincoln College what they remember most about the place, and they will invariably say the warmth and friendliness they found.

Perhaps small against some of the larger universities - in 1984 there is a roll of almost 1800 Lincoln College has a big heart, and, even more important, a reputation both within New Zealand and overseas for quality and standard of education in agriculture and horticulture .

You get the feeling of Lincoln College by just looking around the campus at what people wear.

Jeans, bush shirts, short sleeves and so on - and the only way to tell staff from students is that most staff men wear ties.

And among the New Zealand faces are those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore and even mainland China.

More than 450 of the students are women, reflecting the steady climb in the number of women at the college from the small group on the campus a decade ago.

Thirty-five overseas countries from Australia to Outer Mongolia - are represented at the college, with most overseas students coming from across the Tasman where Lincoln is a respected name in agricultural education.

Students come from all parts of New Zealand to the college, with about one third corning from the North Island.

There are 150 academic staff so classes are small, there is a lot of personal contact, and students are known to their teachers by their first names.

Making the best use of land resources is the common aim of both staff and students, and using land for agriculture and horticulture to the best advantage underlies all teaching.

There is emphasis on the increasing importance of horticulture to New Zealand.

Thinking and teaching at the college has led concern about protecting and managing the environment.

This year about 1100 students are taking courses leading to degrees in agriculture, agricultural science, commerce, horticulture and horticultural science.

Lincoln offers the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce, and Bachelor of Commerce in valuation in property management.

Other degrees are Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering and Bachelor of Science with honours in biochemistry.

Diplomas in agriculture, field technology, farm management, rural secretarial practice and wool technology are also offered.

And there are post-graduate degrees in applied science resource management, engineering and Doctor of Philosophy.

Theory and practice are closely linked at Lincoln, and all students must have worked in the field.

Some work for up to two years on farms, in orchards or in research.

Seven farms, four close to the campus and three elsewhere in Canterbury, are staffed and managed by the college.

Field trips are integral to teaching, and students widen their experience with visits to Banks Peninsula farms, tussock lands and irrigated farms of the Canterbury Plains.

Recreation is important too, and the college is well known for a high standard of Rugby ; there is a year-round swimming pool, a modern recreation centre, and skiing within easy driving from the campus.

Why should a farmer' son from Manawatu go to Lincoln ?

The answer is simple : to gain a first class education in agriculture or horticulture in warm and friendly surroundings.