Graduation Brings First And Finest

The 2006 Autumn Graduation was one of firsts and record-setting.

For the first time the number of ceremonies reached 13 - spread over four days - with the celebrations, traditionally held within one week, overflowing into a second.

This year's notable firsts include a PhD in Nursing conferred on Dr Thomas Harding for his thesis on "Being a man and a nurse", and the first MSc in Speech Science awarded to Elena Antipova for her research into stuttering. Elena achieved first class honours for her study, despite having spoken no English when she arrived in New Zealand from Russia six years ago.

Jesse Wu, at 16 believed to be the youngest student ever to have graduated from Auckland, gained a BSc in Mathematics. Born in New Zealand not long after his parents settled here from Taiwan, Jesse began his studies at the University at the age of 13 without any fanfare, after he had gained high marks in Bursary and Liston College felt they could do no more for him. He achieved mainly A grades at university and is now a tutor and marker for a stage three computing paper while completing a BSc Honours.


Also capped this year were the first honours graduates in Medicinal Chemistry and the first in Master of Urban Design. A total of 84 PhDs were awarded at Autumn Graduation (including seven to staff) as well as six Doctor of Clinical Psychology degrees, seven Doctors of Education, one Doctor of Medicine and one Doctor of Science.


Allan Adair, a retired general practitioner and Doctor of Medicine who runs the teaching of General Practice at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, was the first person to gain distinction for his EdD.