Knox College, Otago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knox College |
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| University of Otago Residential College | ||||||||||||
Knox facade
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Knox College Coat of Arms
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| University | University of Otago | |||||||||||
| Location | 9 Arden St, North East Valley, Dunedin | |||||||||||
| Motto | Gratia et Veritas (Latin) | |||||||||||
| Motto in English | Grace and Truth | |||||||||||
| Founders | Rev Andrew Cameron and John Ross | |||||||||||
| Established | 1909 | |||||||||||
| Status | Affiliated | |||||||||||
| Head | Caroline Hepburn-Doole | |||||||||||
| KCSC President | Hadley van Rij | |||||||||||
| Undergraduates | ~255 | |||||||||||
| Postgraduates | ~5 | |||||||||||
Knox College is a special home for students in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's a residential college connected to the University of Otago. The college was started and is still run by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
It's located on a large, green property in Opoho, across from the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. The college is named after John Knox. He was an important leader in Scotland in the 1500s. He believed in free education for everyone. This idea influenced many people, including those who settled in New Zealand. Knox College shares these strong Scottish roots with the University of Otago.
The college's Coat of Arms shows a blue St Andrew's Cross. This represents its Scottish Presbyterian background. On top of the cross is a white dove with an olive branch. This dove is a symbol of peace and new life. The college motto is Gratia et Veritas. This is Latin for "Grace and Truth".
Contents
What is Knox College?
Knox College opened in 1909. It was first a home for male students. It also housed a training center for Presbyterian ministers. In 1983, it became a home for both male and female students. Today, it still hosts the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership. It also has the Presbyterian Research Centre, which includes the Hewitson Library and archives.
Knox is one of the oldest residential colleges in Dunedin. It has been shaped by ideas from colleges in Australia, Scotland, and England. The college values its traditions. For example, the head of the college is called the Master. Residential helpers are called Sub-Masters. There is even a special officer called the Beadle.
How Knox College Supports Students
Knox College helps students with their studies. They offer tutorials and check on how students are doing. Students can also get help if they need it. The college has its own library, the Hewitson Library. Students can study there and use its many books. Some of these books are very old and important. Many students from Knox College have won special scholarships, like the Rhodes Scholarship.
When students join Knox College, they become part of the Junior Common Room (JCR). This is for undergraduate students. There is also a Senior Common Room (SCR). This group includes university professors and important community leaders. Postgraduate students and the college's Sub-masters are also part of the SCR.
Student Life at Knox College
The Knox College Students' Club (KCSC) used to organize many fun events. These included social gatherings and competitions with other colleges. They had an annual Ball at Larnach Castle. They also had a "Concert on the Stairwell." Students competed in sports and cultural events against Selwyn College. The KCSC was led by a student committee.
Some former presidents of the Students' Club later became leaders of Knox College. These include Rev Dr Hubert Ryburn and Mr. Bruce Aitken. Other famous former presidents include Professor Sir David Skegg. He later became the Vice-Chancellor of the university. Joel Amosa, a singing prize winner, was also a KCSC President.
Knox College is special because students can stay for more than one year. They don't have to leave after their first year. Older students help new students feel welcome. They also help pass on college traditions. Recently, about 40% of students are male and 60% are female. This is similar to the university's student numbers.
In October 2023, the Knox College Students' Club stopped operating. This happened because not enough members attended their yearly meeting.
Celebrating 100 Years
Knox College celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009. About 600 guests came to the events. The oldest former student, who lived there from 1938 to 1943, planted a special tree. This tree was planted in the college grounds to remember the occasion.
Knox College and Other Colleges
Knox College shares its land with Salmond College. Both colleges are managed by the same group. They also share some staff members. These include an Operations Manager and a Groundsman.
Knox College has a friendly rivalry with Selwyn College. They compete every year for two trophies. The Nevill Cup is for cultural events. The Cameron Shield is for sporting events.
Knox College Buildings
The buildings at Knox College are very impressive. They show a long effort to build a grand architectural design.
Early Buildings
The Presbyterian Church started a training school for ministers in Dunedin in 1876. In the early 1900s, they bought land in Opoho. They wanted to build a new school and homes for students. A young architect named William Gray Young won a design competition in 1906. His plans showed four buildings around a central courtyard.
The first main building was finished in 1909. It cost £19,307. The walls were made of brick with stone details. The roofs had red clay tiles. The building style was called Jacobethan. This style uses features like arches, special windows, and castle-like tops.
Growing the College
More parts of the college were built over time. The second stage, including the chapel, was finished in 1914. The college buildings are very visible from far away. The council even asked to make the main tower taller. The buildings have spacious interiors with detailed designs. These include stained glass windows and fancy plasterwork.
Plans to add more buildings were delayed by tough times. These included the Great Depression and World War II.
After the Wars
In 1955, a new building called the Hewitson Wing was opened. This building was for the Theological Hall. It had a library facing the courtyard. This new building used modern materials like reinforced concrete. However, it still matched the style of the older buildings.
The Dining Hall became too small for all the students. So, it was extended in 1957. This extension added a special bay window. In 1963, the "Ross Wing" was added. This further closed off the main courtyard. In 1984, the library was extended again. This almost completed the central quadrangle.
Recent Updates
In 2008, the Hewitson Building was changed. It now holds offices and teaching spaces for the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership. It also has a special area for the Presbyterian Archives.
From 2012 to 2013, the main residential building was made stronger. This was to protect it from earthquakes. Forty new rooms were also added. The entire building was updated and improved. The Great Hall was also opened up to the Junior Common Room. This made it easier for more students to eat together. More updates happened in 2019-2020 to other parts of the college.
Changes in Leadership
In 2012, a special group was formed to manage Knox and Salmond Colleges. This happened after reviews raised concerns about student well-being and college life. The new group made many changes. The former Master of the college, Bruce Aitken, resigned in 2012.
In 2015, the special group finished its work. A new Board was created to govern the colleges. The Presbyterian Church was happy with the changes made. In 2017, the Board shared its goal for Knox College. They want it to be a "world-class residential college." A place where students feel supported and learn new things. A place that encourages leadership and builds friendships.
In 2021, Caroline Hepburn-Doole became the first female Head of Knox College. She had been the Deputy Master for five years before that.
Notable Alumni
Many successful people have lived or studied at Knox College. Here are a few:
- Sir Robert Aitken: A doctor and former leader of the University of Otago.
- Sir Lloyd Geering: A famous theologian.
- Louis Chambers: A co-founder of Generation Zero and a Rhodes Scholar.
- Professor Sir David Skegg: A former leader of the University of Otago.
- Professor Graham Stanton: A former professor at Cambridge University.
- Major-General Sir Harold Barrowclough: A former Chief Justice of New Zealand and military leader.
- The Honourable Justice Sir James B. Robertson: A judge.
- Dr Royden Somerville, QC: A well-known lawyer and former leader of the University of Otago.
- Sir George Douglas Robb: A surgeon and medical reformer.
- The Right Honourable Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara: A former Prime Minister and President of Fiji.
- Adam Hamilton: The first long-term leader of the National Party.
- Nikki Kaye, MP: A former Member of Parliament.
- Tim Macindoe, MP: A Member of Parliament.
- Sir Arnold Nordmeyer: A former Minister of Finance and leader of the Labour Party.
- James A.C. Ryan: A former New Zealand All Black rugby player.
- Hamish Bond: An Olympic Gold Medalist in rowing.
Knox College has produced 18 Rhodes Scholars. These are students who win a very special scholarship to study at Oxford University. The college has also had several Gates Scholars and Fulbright Scholars.
Coat of Arms
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Images for kids
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Master's Cup, 2009
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Student organised trip
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College Garden Party, 2009
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The Knox facade and Botanic Gardens
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Elevation of a wapiti in the modern-day Great Hall
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Ross Chapel
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Tutorial room
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Knox and Salmond Colleges
