Otago Polytechnic yesterday celebrated its 50th anniversary and the outstanding contributions of 19 of its former students by presenting them with distinguished alumni awards.
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker said the inaugural awards acknowledged not only the impact the former students had had in "their careers and communities'' but also for the inspiration these "outstanding alumni'' would give future graduates.
The polytechnic was "delighted'' to launch the awards on its 50th anniversary, and to welcome back past students and staff to the campus to "help us celebrate our achievements'', he said.
More than 150 alumni attended the event, which was held in The Hub, a new central area opened earlier this year.
The guest speaker was New Zealand Black Caps cricketer Grant Elliott, who graduated from the polytechnic with a bachelor of applied management degree last year.
Communications director and compere Mike Waddell said it had been a "very special, significant, happy occasion''.
The polytechnic had always fostered community development and it was "wonderful'' to acknowledge people who had "made a significant contribution to the community they serve'', he said.
Award winners were chosen not only for pre-eminence in their chosen field, and for outstanding achievements in business, arts and sport, but also for "outstanding contributions'' to the community.
Award winners included Ron Anderson, co-founder and managing director of Arrow International, Nigel Bamford, co-founder and chief executive of Dunedin company Escea Gas Fires, and Graham Batts, a former managing director and chairman of Scott Technology, all New Zealand certificate in engineering graduates.
Other award recipients included Ryan Keogh, who rose from apprentice carpenter to project manager with Naylor Love in seven years; Andrea McLeod, who is community services executive general manager at Royal District Nursing Service in Melbourne; Lynn Taylor, an internationally-recognised Dunedin printmaker and multimedia artist; and Lisa Walker, an internationally respected jewellery artist.
Other award recipients were: Richard Emerson, multi-award-winning brewer; Alexa Forbes, sustainable practice adviser for Otago Polytechnic's Centre for Sustainable Practice; Elaine Gray, national midwifery adviser for continuing education to the New Zealand College of Midwives; Lindsay Laing, former faculty head at Northland Polytechnic; Kat McDonald, who chairs an international sustainability professional network; John Marsh, managing director of Cooke Howlison; Michael Parker, chief executive officer of Presbyterian Support South Canterbury; Anna Ross, founder of Kester Black nail polishes and soaps; Anjali Burnett and Rachel Easting, who started fashion label and business Twentysevennames; and Dave Watson, director of GreenShoot Pacific.
