Double Success for Otago in Rhodes Scholarships

Two of the three Rhodes Scholars announced last night are from the University of Otago, lifting the University’s tally of recipients of the prestigious scholarship to 54.

Otago’s Julia Matheson and Jesse Wall have been selected as 2008 Rhodes Scholars along with Victoria’s Amanda Gilbertson.

The scholarships allow Julia and Jesse to undertake study at Oxford University with their air travel to Britain, university fees and an annual allowance provided.

Julia graduated as the University’s top female medical student in 2006, receiving the Emily Hancock Siedeberg Memorial Prize. She is currently working at Dunedin Hospital as a first year House Surgeon.

At Oxford, Julia plans to study for an MSc in Integrated Immunology and a DPhil in Surgery in the area of surgical management of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Her long-term goal is to work in New Zealand as a specialist clinician with an on-going interest in research and teaching.

Her success has established a new family precedent for Otago’s Rhodes recipients. Her father, Dr John Matheson, was a 1975 Rhodes Scholar.

Jesse, who last year received an Otago Law Faculty Scholarship for grade point average, is in the final year of his BA and LLB (Hons) study. He was founder and Editor-in-Chief of the New Zealand Law Students’ Journal in 2006.

He has also competed at national and international levels in debating and mooting competitions.

Jesse will begin his postgraduate study at Oxford with a Bachelor of Civil Law degree and then study towards an MPhil. He hopes to eventually work as a legal advisor in the New Zealand public sector and is also interested in making a contribution as an academic.

The University’s Director of Research Higher Degrees & Scholarships, Dr Charles Tustin, says Otago is delighted to once again enjoy two Rhodes recipients in one year.

"We extend our hearty congratulations to Julia and Jesse. They are clearly young people of great academic ability and well-rounded individuals who make significant contributions to the community,” says Dr Tustin

The University’s strong track record in producing Rhodes Scholars reflects Otago’s emphasis on providing an unique environment that nurtures both academic excellence and social and cultural participation, he says.

The Rhodes Scholarships, which were established in 1904, are open to Commonwealth countries and the United States and are awarded annually to students between 19 and 24 who demonstrate both excellent academic records and extracurricular involvement.