b'Members of the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) and the 150th Project Team (Director of DARO Shelagh Murray, front row second left)golden anniversary rose released, andAlumnihavealsobeenshowcasedtobuildontheirstrengths, aPacific150thAnniversaryStudentduringtheyearinuniversityenhancestudentexperience, Koneseti was held in September. publications,including150alumniextendresearchprogrammes heroesandheroinesfeaturedintheandcreatethebestpossible Otago Magazine. environmentswithinwhich Alumni Involvement MsMurraysaysoneimportantfactorpeople can excel.Alumni have also been integral to thein the success of the celebrations hasOthermajordonationsreceivedthis celebrations, with many reunions takingbeen the full commitment of the senioryear include:placeandnearly1700Otagoalumnileadership of the university.$10mdonationfromphilanthropists attendingeventsinNewZealand,The Chancellor, Vice-ChancellorGraemeandRobynHarttowards Australia,SouthEastAsia,theUK,andDeputyVice-ChancellorOtagosnewdentalfacilityforSouth SamoaandFiji.FurthereventsareExternalEngagementhaveAuckland, (article continued next page)planned for the USA and Canada. committed a lot of time and energy MsMurraysaystheanniversaryyearin their year to being involved in hasbeenawonderfulopportunityforabsolutely everything.the university to engage and re-engageThe anniversary has also provided the with its alumni community.opportunitytopromoteOtagoasa Alumnitodaywanttoengageplaceofphilanthropy,andtherehas with,participateinandspeakbeen a lot of support for the university to their university. As such theythrough gifts and donations. haveavestedinterestintheAs well as being important to the wellbeingoftheiralmamater,future of Otago, philanthropy has shesays.Universitiesneedtobeen a very important part of its activelyinvolvetheiralumniinhistoryandestablishment,with the life of the institution - whenthe Presbyterian church funding they do so, they will see a returnthe first professors.oninvestmentthatbenefitsthe entire university.Shesaysthe150thhashighlightedFinancial SupportthefactOtagoisNewZealandsfirstThesupportofthechurchcontinues and oldest university, and that alumnitoday,withthePresbyterianSynod havereallywantedtobepartofthatmakinganendowmentthisyearof celebration.$300,000towardsanewlectureship ItsbeenanopportunitytoinChaplaincyStudies,oneofthe strengthen our relationships anduniversitysspecial150thfundraising its given alumni a real reason toprojects.Professor Atholl Anderson (right) was celebratetheirconnectionwithThere are many recent examplesawarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Otago. ofsupportbeingprovidedChancellor Dr Royden Somerville QC at the TheresponsetofunctionsinNewtotheuniversitybyalumni,150thConvocation Ceremony Zealand and around the world has beenorganisationsandindividuals.(photo: Sharron Bennett)amazing with events filled to capacity. This support enables universities DECEMBER 2019 11'