Student city abuzz for graduation week

More than 1300 students will graduate at Palmerston North capping ceremonies this week.

The five ceremonies will be followed by parades along Broadway Ave to The Square.

Forty-two students will be conferred with a doctoral degree – the highest academic qualification. Another 112 will gain a master’s degree. Over the week a total of 1326 students will graduate.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says graduation is a time to celebrate the hard work students put in to achieve their qualification and the support they receive from staff, student colleagues and their friends and family.

He says it is pleasing to see so many students achieving the academic pinnacle of a doctoral degree. “The research done by this group spans much of the broad range of expertise Massey offers – science, technology, psychology, business, education and arts – and I am sure they will all make outstanding contributions to their fields and communities.”

This year’s doctorates are in science, business, education, arts and two in clinical psychology. Thesis topics vary from disease control, reducing fertiliser input and greenhouse gases, to the commercial performance of New Zealand airport companies, among other subjects.

Two men with strong links to Manawatu will also be acknowledged with honorary doctorates for their lifetime achievements.

Professor Emeritus Ivan Snook, of Palmerston North, and Professor Rom Harre, who was born in Apiti but now lives in Washington D.C, will be recognised for their outstanding international contribution to education and social sciences respectively. Both will be keynote speakers at their Wednesday ceremonies.

While large audiences will watch as the graduates cross the stage at the Regent on Broadway Theatre, many of their family and friends will also be watching live around New Zealand and the world.

Massey’s Graduation Live initiative makes it the only university in the country to stream live all graduation ceremonies. Last month’s Albany ceremonies on Massey’s YouTube channel have so far been viewed more than 5400 times in 129 countries.

Graduation events will also be held next week to celebrate capping week. A Dean’s List Presentation and Function will be held at the Regent Theatre on Monday night, a Graduation Dinner Tuesday night at the graduation marquee in The Square, and a Business After 5 event in the marquee on Wednesday from 6pm, adding more buzz to a busy week in the student city.

Graduation and celebration ceremonies schedule:

Monday
College of Business at 1.30pm

Tuesday
College of Business and College of Sciences at 9.30am
College of Sciences at 2.30pm

Wednesday
College of Education, College of Creative Arts, New Zealand School of Music at 9.30am
College of Humanities and Social Sciences at 2.30pm

Thursday
Ceremony to Honour Maori graduates at 9.30am
Ceremony to Honour Paskifa graduates at 3pm