Tuesday 8 January 2019 12:01pmThe University of Otago is celebrating the significant presence of Otago alumni and staff on the Queen's 2019 New Year Honours List.
Twenty-four Otago alumni are included on the 2019 list, including two Dame Companions (DNZM), one Knight Companion (KNZM), two Companions (CNZM), ten Officers (ONZM) and six Members (MNZM) of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Four Otago Alumni were awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).
Current staff member Professor Pat Langhorne received the New Zealand Antarctic Medal (NZAM).
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Harlene Hayne says the strong contingent being honoured (up from 20 on the 2018 New Year list) provides great inspiration for everyone connected to the University.
“Congratulations to everyone for the appointments you've received. You are each responsible for significant contributions to society as a whole so it is immensely pleasing to see your hard work and achievements being honoured,” Professor Hayne says.
Also receiving significant acknowledgment over the holiday period was Professor Stephen Robertson of the Dunedin School of Medicine, who was made a top-ten finalist in the New Zealand Herald's New Zealander of the Year award for his contributions towards identifying rare genetic disorders.
A list of the Otago alumni receiving New Year Honours is below. Please note: Alumni may have been overlooked where the University has not been notified of a change of surname. View the full honours list.
| Ms Diana Crossan | DNZM for services to the state |
| Dr Ian Hassall | KNZM for services to the welfare of children |
| Mr Rob McLeod | KNZM for services to business and Maori |
| Professor Margaret Bedggood QSO | CNZM for services to human rights law |
| Professor Peter Crampton | CNZM for services to education and health sciences |
| Mr Malcolm Black | ONZM for services to the music industry |
| Dr David Crum | ONZM for services to dentistry |
| Dr Dianne Elliott (Dianne Sharp) | ONZM for services to Ophthalmology |
| Dr Ian Hall | ONZM for services to mycology and agri-business |
| Ms Diane Lucas | ONZM for services to conservation |
| Ms Kristy McDonald QC | ONZM for services to law and government |
| Dr Jenny McMahon MBE | ONZM for services to the Red Cross |
| Professor Andre Van Rij | ONZM for services to health, particularly vascular surgery |
| Professor Peter Lineham | ONZM for services to religious history and the community |
| Ms Terry MacTavish | MNZM for services to theatre and education |
| Dr Arbutus Mitikulena | MNZM for services to health and the Pacific community |
| Miss Raewyn Peart | ONZM for services to environmental and conservation policy |
| Mrs Anne Rodger | MNZM for services to women |
| Mrs Georgina Salter | MNZM for services to netball (posthumous award) |
| Dr James Stewart | MNZM for services to children with genetic immunity disorders |
| Ms Barbara Brinsley | QSM for services to art curation |
| Mr Andrew Buglass | QSM for services to outdoor recreation and conservation |
| Reverend Tauinaola Tofilau | QSM for services to the Pacific community |
| Professor Pat Langhorne (staff) | NZAM for services to science |
| Dr Allan Young | QSM for services to ethnic communities and dentistry |
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