Former uni chancellor to receive honorary doctorate
FORMER longserving University of Otago chancellor John Ward will gain an ‘‘overwhelming honour’’ when he receives an honorary doctorate of laws at a university graduation ceremony today.
Mr Ward is an Invercargill chartered accountant, who served for 15 years as chancellor, and was the first chancellor from outside Otago in the university’s 149year history.
Raised and educated in Invercargill, he has a BCom degree from Otago University and last year completed his term as the university’s 18th chancellor. He will receive his honorary degree at the second of two university graduation ceremonies at the Dunedin Town Hall, at 4pm today.
Mr Ward said that receiving an honorary doctorate was ‘‘an overwhelming honour’’ but not just for himself.
His achievement was not a ‘‘solo effort’’, and his family, vicechancellors and university council members he served with, and his business colleagues all deserved to share in the award.
He was also honoured to join notable Southlanders in receiving an honorary doctorate from Otago University, including authors and historians Dan Davin and John HallJones, international legal and political philosopher Prof Jeremy Waldron, and Justice
Christine French, of the Court of Appeal, he said.
Appointed to the University Council in 2003, Mr Ward became chancellor in 2009, presided over 110 graduation ceremonies, and chaired the University Council and council committees.
Vicechancellor Prof Harlene Hayne was delighted that Mr Ward’s substantial contribution was being recognised in this way.
He remained a ‘‘strong ambassador for Otago’’, throughout New Zealand and abroad, she said.
His successor as chancellor, Dr Royden Somerville QC, said Mr Ward had worked ‘‘tirelessly’’ for the university, which had benefited greatly from his expertise in accounting, business and banking.
The university had flourished during Mr Ward’s time as chancellor, and highlights included a big boost in Maori and Pacific student numbers, and an ambitious capital development programme.
As a founding Carisbrook Stadium Trustee, he played a key role in championing the construction of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium, and the university’s associated Unipol Gym, Plaza Cafe and Foundation Year building, university officials said.
He continues to contribute to the university as chairman of Otago Innovation Ltd and the University of Otago Foundation Trust.