UCOL Council honours community contribution

Media Release

Thursday 12 February 2015

UCOL Council honours community contribution

The UCOL Council has announced its Honours Awards to mark the start of the 2015 academic year.

Manawatu District Mayor Margaret Kouvelis, Whanganui businessman Trevor Goodwin and Wairarapa-based Musician Warren Maxwell all receive the highest honour of Honorary Fellow for outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL, the wider community and society in general.

Honorary Associate awards go out to Mike Grant, MidCentral District Health Board Deputy Chief Executive; Whanganui Patternmaker John Kite; and Wairarapa philanthropist Chris Dugdale, for significant and distinguished contribution to the life and work of UCOL and/or the wider community of which UCOL is a part.

UCOL Council Chairperson Malcolm Inglis says the awards are UCOL Council’s way of recognising people who act as role models and inspiration to UCOL students, and reflect the institution’s community connections.

“This year’s award recipients have all made significant contributions to their local areas and beyond, and achieved success through excellence, innovation and dedication. Along with inspiring a culture of celebrating success, these are the values that UCOL seeks to foster in its staff and students.”

The UCOL Council Honours Awards will be conferred at UCOL’s upcoming graduation ceremonies in March (Wairarapa March 17, Whanganui March 18, Palmerston North 24 and 25 March).

ENDS.

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Margaret Kouvelis, Honorary Fellow

Margaret Kouvelis is the Mayor of the Manawatu District. She was the first Chief Executive of the New Zealand Teachers Council, and has been an advisor to secondary schools and to the Teacher Registration Board. She has also worked as an education consultant in the Middle East, a scientist, a biology teacher, the head of art at Alexandra’s Dunstan High School and the head of music at Freyberg High School. She holds degrees in science and a diploma in music, and is committed to securing further economic development, creating jobs, and attracting and retaining youth in the District while protecting the community’s social well-being.

Mike Grant, Honorary Associate

Mike Grant is the Deputy Chief Executive at MidCentral District Health Board, and Chair of the Central Region’s cancer control network. Mike has a long association with health and has led the development of MidCentral DHB’s strategic direction. He has fully supported the establishment of UCOL’s specialist Exercise and Wellness clinic U-Kinetics through a Service Level Agreement between Midcentral DHB and UCOL. This support and funding has enabled UCOL to become a demonstration site for Health Workforce New Zealand, and to provide innovative education and health outcomes for the region.

Trevor Goodwin, Honorary Fellow

Trevor Goodwin is the Chair of Whanganui Community Education Service (CES) and Acting Chief Executive of Business Central. He served as President of Business New Zealand from 2008 to 2010, and Chair of UCOL Council from 2010 to 2014. He was Chief Executive of Wanganui Gas Ltd for 15 years, and is a Life Member of the Employers and Manufacturers Association Central. As UCOL Chair Trevor represented UCOL on the joint UCOL/Wanganui District Council working group seeking a sustainable tertiary education model for Whanganui, and chaired the ITP Sector Forum. Trevor continues to contribute to Whanganui and the wider community as a Trustee of Vision 2020, a business mentor, and through involvement in community groups.

John Kite, Honorary Associate

John Kite is a successful patternmaker from Whanganui who has worked for iconic designers such as Colin Cole, Kevin Berkhan, Angela Wickstead, Liz Mitchell and the bridal label Rue de Siene. He is a member of the stakeholder group for Whanganui UCOL’s Bachelor of Design and Art, and has run workshops with and mentored Fashion students. He has also presented the top achieving Year Three UCOL Fashion student with the John Kite Book Award,and moderated UCOL’s Third Year student Final Major Project. John brings a wealth of industry knowledge to UCOL and continues to contribute to the Whanganui arts community.

Barbara Christine (Chris) Dugdale, Honorary Associate

Chris Dugdale is a trustee of the Dugdale Charitable Trust, which provides opportunities for people to work together and make a difference in the lives of other people. She is also a member of Philanthropy NZ. Chris has been involved with UCOL Wairarapa since 2012 when the campus built its first house on site as part of its construction programmes. Chris encouraged local businesses and suppliers to get involved with the UCOL house builds and the partnership between UCOL, local suppliers and the Trust has raised funds by undertaking to purchase the houses and resell them at a profit. Students have been able to learn valuable vocational skills and the region has benefited from the donations made to the different local charities.

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