Building named in scientist's honour

Colleagues and family of the late John Offenberger gathered on the Wellington campus last week to celebrate the naming of the College of Sciences block in his honour.

From 1962 till his retirement in 1983, Mr Offenberger was Head of the School of Mathematics and Sciences at Wellington Polytechnic. He died in 1999.

Mr Offenberger is credited with pioneering information technology in New Zealand; introducing the first course in electronic data processing, programming and systems in 1963.

Senior lecturer at the College of Sciences in Wellington, Dr John Ruck, who was first interviewed for a tutoring position by the Austrian-born scientist, told guests that while his mentor retired long before the polytechnic’s merger with Massey University, his impact endured.

“The naming of Block 3 as the Offenberger Building, after a man who significantly influenced the development of science and technical education on this campus, cements in place and honours, the link with an auspicious past.”

College of Sciences Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Anderson spoke on behalf of the senior leadership team. He noted that Massey was not known for naming its buildings, which emphasised the importance of the occasion.

Born in Vienna in 1920, John (Hans) Offenberger enjoyed a youth stimulated by a broad education, until he was detained in Dachau by the Nazi regime for being both a Jew and associating with left wing groups. He was only released because he had a permit to go to England, and soon received an international student’s scholarship, sponsored by a group of students at Canterbury University College.

Mr Offenberger made an invaluable contribution to the development of scientific technical education in New Zealand, realising how essential a competent technician was in industry, scientific research, medicine and health in general.

“People like John were pioneers of this new era. They saw educational opportunities, driven by needs of industry, and vigorously pursued them,” Dr Ruck says.

Mr Offenberger was a scholar and dedicated educator who also knew how to bring out the best in staff and students, and encouraged an academic environment that allowed growth and the influx of new ideas.

“To me, it matters not what disciplines are present, what future research or teaching takes place in the Offenberger Building, the link with the past is established, and a wonderful man is recognised,” Dr Ruck says.

The occasion coincided with the presentation of awards to graduating students from the College of Sciences. Mr Offenberger’s son, Peter, was on hand to present the awards to the top students at the College.