Christmas graduation on stage next week

 

Published by the Communications and Development Department

 

10 December 2003

 

Two higher doctorates, the University’s Research Medal, and nine Teaching Awards will be highlights of next Wednesday’s University of Canterbury pre-Christmas graduation ceremony.

 

About 420 students from across all disciplines will be capped in the Christchurch Town Hall ceremony.

 

Economist Brian Easton and UC School of Music lecturer and composer Chris Cree Brown will receive higher doctorates.

 

Brian Easton holds degrees in mathematics and economics from Canterbury, and in economics from Victoria University of Wellington. He is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, a Chartered Statistician, and a Member of the Royal Society of New Zealand. He will receive a Doctor of Science (DSc) for his research on the political economy of New Zealand, and his major publications The Nationbuilders, In Stormy Seas, The Commercialisation of New Zealand, and The Whimpering State.

 

Internationally acclaimed composer Chris Cree Brown will be awarded what is believed to be the first Doctor of Music (MusD) degree by the University, for distinction in musical composition. The works submitted for the degree were Iron Pebbles and Gold Dust (electroacoustic), Sound Cylinders for Flute and Tape, and Memories Apart for chamber ensemble.

 

The University’s Research Medal for 2003 will be presented to Chemistry academic Professor Jim Coxon. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Kirk will give the citation.

 

Professor Coxon earned his PhD from Canterbury and has worked at the University since 1967. His research for many years has focused on organic reactions involving molecular rearrangement. Recently, he has also modelled such molecular transformations, showing that it is possible to conduct chemistry on computers as
well as in the laboratory. He is also part of a team of researchers investigating calpain inhibitors both in the laboratory and by computational modelling, work that could assist in the development of treatments for cataracts.

 

Nine teaching awards will be presented to University staff for excellence in teaching achievement. They will be introduced by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Dr Jan Cameron. This year’s recipients are: Ms Liz Ackerley (Mathematics and Statistics), Dr Philip Armstrong (Culture, Literature and Society), Dr Chris Connolly (History), Dr Juliet Gerrard (Biological Sciences), Dr Matthew Hirshberg (Political Science and Communication), Dr Tanja Mitrovic (Computer Science and Software Engineering), Dr Roger Nokes (Civil Engineering), Dr Bob Peffers (Management) and Professor Steve Weaver (Geological Sciences).

 

Organisers are hoping for fine weather for the afternoon march through central Christchurch. The procession starts at 1.20pm at the Arts Centre’s Market Square and proceeds east along Worcester Boulevard to Cathedral Square before moving north along Colombo Street and through Victoria Square to the Town Hall. The Chancellor, Dr Robin Mann, will oversee proceedings. The Chief Executive Officer of the Christchurch City Council, Dr Lesley McTurk, will give the graduation address.

 

Dr Edwina Palmer, lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, will be the madam bedel leading the procession.

 

For more information contact:

Jeff Field

Communications and Development

Ph 03 364 2838

Email jeff.field@canterbury.ac.nz