Neil and Kate Gow Memorial Scholarship

Neil Gow was a Lincoln University graduate (BAgrSc 1961), long-serving staff member (1964-2007) and supremely loyal alumnus. Born in rural Southland in 1937, Neil died in Christchurch in 2016. Kate Gow, nee Chaffey, was born in rural North Canterbury in 1940 and died in Christchurch in 2022. Neil and Kate were married in 1966 at the Chaffey family property, Keinton Combe, Waiau, and thus began a married life in which their joint service to Lincoln University matched the devotion they shared for each other and their children.

Kate was Neil’s pillar of support throughout his remarkably prolific career in Farm Management and Agribusiness at Lincoln University. When Neil was nominated for a Lincoln University Medal in 2008 for outstanding voluntary service to the life and culture of Lincoln University, Kate’s name and contributions formed part of that nomination.

Kate and Neil’s generous hosting of students, sports team members, and overseas visitors, was legendary, and their home in St Andrews Square was almost a second Lincoln University campus. In 2016 Neil was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Lincoln University Alumni Association, in recognition of his dedication to LUAA and its role in relation to the university. In spirit, it has to be seen as equally deserved by Kate. Their son Professor Hamish Gow has said that “Dad would not have been able to do all he did without Mum.”

This scholarship stands in memory of Neil and Kate Gow and their unique contributions to Lincoln University. The ‘overseas exchange’ purpose reflects their combined interest in the value of international exchanges. In 1975 Neil was co-founder of the Lincoln University Oregon State University Student Exchange Programme, Lincoln’s first step in internationalising its undergraduate degrees.

Purpose

The Neil and Kate Gow Memorial Scholarship was established to support Lincoln University students to assist with study or travel expenses to attend a conference, compete or train at a sporting event, or attend an overseas exchange to another university.

Number / value

One or more scholarships may be offered annually to a full-time student (second year and above) studying at Lincoln University. The annual value of the scholarship shall be a minimum of $2500 towards travel or study expenses.

Eligibility (a) Applicants must be full time students who are second year or above at LincolnUniversity. (b) Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents.

4. Selection criteria

The criteria for selection will be:

(a) Academic Merit (b) Evidence of demonstrated ability and commitment in one or more of the following areas: • Agribusiness and farm management or similar disciplinary areas;

• An approved overseas exchange to another university; • Compete or train in a sport at an elite level. Preference may be given to students who have not previously received financial support from scholarships, awards or bursaries.

Tenure

The scholarship is tenable for one year. Previous recipients are eligible to reapply in subsequent years. a. The successful candidate agrees to provide a brief report at the completion of the scholarship along with a personal profile, with photo, for use in Alumni Association publications. b. The successful candidate may be required to attend an Alumni Association event to promote the Scholarship at the request of theAssociation