Knox College, Otago

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Knox College is a privately run residential college affiliated to the University of Otago in New Zealand, providing accommodation for primarily first and second year students, with a smaller number of postgraduates. The college is set in an 11 hectare landscaped site on the other site of the Dunedin Botanic Gardens from the University. The site is shared with Salmond College, which was originally set up as complementary accommodation for female students. Although the institutions are run autonomously, they are governed by a joint body, The Council of Knox College and Salmond College.

Knox College was established as residential accommodation for male students, and additionally as a training site for Presbyterian ministers in 1909. It become co-educational in 1983, and is still the site of the School of Ministry for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The buildings of the College were designed by the architect W. Gray Young when he was only 21 years old.[1] [2]

Knox seeks to recreate some of the feeling of an Oxbridge college, and much of the terminology used within the college originated in Oxford or Cambridge (intransigent students are "sent down"; there is a "Master", and "Fellows"). In addition Knox retains many traditional aspects of college life, such as requiring jackets and ties for all dinners and division into Senior and Junior common rooms. However, the responsibility for students' education is borne by the university rather than the college. The selective nature of the college and its strong tutorial system lead nonetheless to Knox enjoying a high success rate for students entering legal, medical and other professional degrees.

Knox College's Anglican equivalent is its arch-rival Selwyn College, with whom it contests the Nevill Cup and Cameron Shield each year. In 2006 Knox held both awards.

The visitor to the College is the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.[3]

[edit] Notable Knoxmen

• The Right Honourable Ratu Sir Kamisese Maru, Former Prime Minister and President of Fiji
• Professor David C.G. Skegg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago
• James A.C. Ryan, Current New Zealand All Black
• The Honourable Justice James B. Robertson, Judge of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand
• Sanjeev Deo (New Zealand Swimmer)
• Joshua Bennett (Bass Player)
• Shahed Yassaie (WWE Wrestler)