The Most Interesting College of the Day! – Lincoln University – June 30

If you were with me when you read this, I would bet you a large sum of money you could not guess where this college is located.

First, Lincoln University was founded in 1878. Do you want to guess who it was named after? (you’ll have to read to the end to find out)

At 2,695 students (1,577 undergraduates), it is the smallest college in the nation and one of only 8 public universities in the nation. Thoroughly confused yet?

Their motto is “Scientia et industria cum probitate,” which means “Science and industry with integrity.”

Lincoln University is the oldest agricultural university in the Southern Hemisphere. It separated from the University of Canterbury in 1961. In 2018, Lincoln University had 1,369 international students, just over 50% of the students, from 75 countries. Any ideas yet?

Lincoln University is located in the town of Lincoln just outside of Christchurch, New Zealand.

There are three main schools of learning at Lincoln:

Agribusiness and Commerce: accounting, management, economics, farm management, finance, marketing and property studies.
Agriculture and Life Sciences: agronomy, plant science, crop physiology, pasture production, animal science, systems biology, computational modelling, food and wine science, entomology; plant pathology and crop protection; ecology, conservation and wildlife management; evolution, molecular genetics and biodiversity.
Environment, Society and Design: natural resources and complex systems engineering, environmental design, resource planning, transport studies, landscape architecture, Māori and indigenous planning, tourism, communication and exercise science.

Lincoln University has had an Entomology Research Collection since the late 1960s, which is now the 3rd-largest entomology collection in New Zealand, containing approximately 500,000 specimens. The university also owns 8 farms on the Southern I Island of New Zealand.

In one of the most used of the world university rankings (QS), which heavily favors research universities, Lincoln University ranks 372nd. For context, this is close behind Virginia Tech and George Washington U., but ahead of Wake Forest, Tulane, and over 100 spots ahead of Boston College. For my Baylor and UVA friends, Baylor is ranked between 1,000-1,200 and UVA is 226th.

Lincoln University Students’ Association (LUSA) runs campus events such as the annual Garden Party and O-Week. Clubs on campus include the Lincoln Soils Society, Tramping and Climbing Club, Wine Appreciation Club, LSD (Lincoln Snowboarding Department), Alpine Club, LEO (Lincoln Environmental Organisation), Food Appreciation Club, Bunch Rides (cycling), Rugby Club, Lincoln Malaysian Students Society, Boxing Club, Young Farmers Club, and Lincoln Christian Fellowship.

Rā Whakamana is an annual graduation ceremony celebrating Māori achievement at Lincoln University. It is an opportunity for whanau, friends and staff to meet graduates and acknowledge their success. Lincoln University – Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, Te Awhioraki, Lincoln University Māori Students’ Association, and Te Taumutu Rūnanga collectively organise and conduct the ceremony each year.

Lincoln University offers a wide range of sporting clubs and social sports including badminton, a boxing studio, social football, indoor football, social hockey, squash, tennis and volleyball. There are 4 major sporting clubs that compete in Christchurch competitions – LU Rugby, LU Netball, LU Basketball and LU Rowing.

If you are wondering what Netball is, it is evidently played by 20M people in 80 nations and is described as, “Netball is a baby born to parents who were the sport of basketball and ultimate frisbee. There is no dribbling; no running with the ball; 7 players; ball passed within 3 seconds; ball & basket slightly smaller; no backboard; players designated to certain areas. Basketball was created in the U.S. in 1891 and women gymnasiums in England began creating netball just two years later. It is primarily a sport played by women.

Saving the best for last, Lincoln University is named for…the town in which it is located, which is named after… The Earl of Lincoln (1811-1864), former Secretary of War and Chief Secretary of Ireland for England.