Convocation 2010: South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London
“The North-West University (NWU) in the North West Province of South Africa officially came into being on 1 January 2004. The NWU is a unitary, multi-campus institution with its institutional office in Potchefstroom and the three campuses spread across two provinces.
As the largest and oldest campus, with a history going back 141 years, the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU has a longstanding track record in delivering high quality graduates and conducting pioneering research.
Situated in the historical university town of Potchefstroom, the Potchefstroom Campus mission is to become a research-led campus of quality and excellence, in order to contribute towards a balanced teaching-learning and research university and to implement its expertise in an innovative way. The Campus will achieve this by being pro-actively relevant and responsive to local, national, continental and international imperatives.
The Potchefstroom Campus has eight academic faculties: Arts; Natural Sciences; Theology; Education Sciences; Economic and Management Sciences; Law, Engineering and Health Sciences.” (The GST/NWU Convocation programme 2010.)
These were the words written on the inside cover of the programme for the 2 October 2010 convocation, a written reminder for all those participating in the ceremony that North-West University has a long and distinguished history. Proof of its relevance and responsiveness to present and future challenges was tangible in the attendance of so many of our NWU colleagues, notable amongst them, and for the first time, the Rectors of all the three constituent campuses.
In attendance from North-West University were
Dr Theuns Eloff (Vice Chancellor: NWU)
Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Campus Rector, Potchefstroom),
Prof Thanyani Mariba (Campus Rector,Vaal Triangle)
Prof ND Kgwadi (Campus Rector, Mafikeng)
Prof Amanda Lourens (Vice-Rector: Research and Planning)
Dorothy August (Campus Registrar)
Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg (Dean, Faculty of Theology),
Prof Petra Engelbrecht (Dean, Faculty of Education Sciences)
Prof Francois Viljoen (Director of Research, Faculty of Theology)
Prof Rikus Fick (Director: School of Biblical Studies and Ancient Languages)
Prof Annette Combrink (Director: International Liaison and Institutional Advancement)
Antoinett Moerdyk (Registrar, Faculty of Theology)
Bertus le Roux (Manager of Logistics)
Mariaan van der Merwe (Head of Graduation Ceremonies)
Esme Brazer (PA Dean, Faculty of Theology)
GST Directors in attendance were
Prof Dr D Byron Evans , GST Vice President
Prof Dr Dries du Plooy, Dean/CEO
Johan Govea
Revd Prof Dr Roger B Grainger
Revd Prof Canon Dr Gerald Hughes
Revd Dr Joseph O’Hanlon
Revd Prof Dr Ben Rees
Dr Stuart Sime: Secretary to the Board
Dr Peg Evans – GST Liaison Administrator UK
Revd Dr Robert Winston – GST Finance Officer
After the welcome, scripture reading and prayer, Prof Dr Fika Janse van Rensberg, MA, ThD (Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Potchefstroom Campus, NWU) introduced the Vice-Chancellor of NWU (Dr Theuns Eloff, BJur(Econ),ThB,ThD) who gave the convocation address. This was followed by the unveiling of the new GST logo, the conceptual design of which was explained by Prof Dr A le R du Plooy (Dean of GST).
The degree candidates were presented by the GST Liaison Administrator, Dr Peg Evans, and the degrees were conferred by the Rector of Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU, Prof Dr Herman van Schalkwyk, BCom, BCom (Hons),MCom, PhD (Agricultural Economics).
Honours Bachelor of Arts
Matthew Brookes (Theology/Biblical Studies)
Hock Tsoo Choo (Theology/Biblical Studies)
David Bryan Doxey (Theology/Biblical Studies)
Master of Arts
Martin Miller Davis (Church & Dogma History)
Master of Theology
Anthony Edward Buglass (New Testament)
Doctorates
Andriano Chalwe (Missiology)
“An evaluation of the mission history of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia”
Promoter: Prof Dr CP Warner Co-Promoter: Prof Dr TD Mashau
Poh Lee Choong (Pastoral Studies)
“Imago Dei and its Significance for Pastoral Leadership Effectiveness in a Global Society”
Promoter: Prof Dr RB Grainger Co-Promoter: Prof Dr GA Lotter
Edward Dalcour (Dogmatics)
“An Evaluation of ‘Oneness’ Theology in the light of the Biblical emphasis on Trinitarianism”
Promoter: Prof Dr DB Rees Co-Promoter: Prof Dr CFC Coetzee
Sang Mong Lee (New Testament)
“Forgiveness as a recurring theme in Mark’s Gospel”
Promoter: Prof Dr GT Hughes Co-Promoter: Prof Dr FP Viljoen
Timothy King Lent (Ethics)
“The fifth commandment: a Biblical and Philosophical interpretation and its application in the USA”
Promoter: Prof Dr RB Grainger Co-Promoter: Prof JM Vorster
Cornelius Michel Mereweather-Thompson (Missiology)
“The challenges to mission and dialogue in a pluralist context”
Promoter: Prof Dr A Coker Co-Promoter: Prof Dr TD Mashau
Eric Odell-Hein (Dogmatics)
“Christian Theodicy within the context of world religions: a proposed new paradigm”
Promoter: Prof Dr Rick L Walston Co-Promoter: Prof Dr CFC Coetzee
Presentation of the Greenwich School of Theology Prizes
by The Vice-President of GST, The Revd Prof Dr D Byron Evans BA (Hons), BD, MEd, D Litt, ThD
Before making the presentations, the GST Vice-President explained that Revd Canon Dr Gerald Hughes, who serves the Fladbury Parish and resides there with his wife Jane, had requested that the contributions collected by parishioners to mark and celebrate his 80th birthday be used for the benefit of GST theological students in the form of the Fladbury Parish Award. On behalf of GST, the Vice-President thanked the Revd Canon Dr Gerald Hughes for his generosity.
Patricia Whitwell-Green Memorial Award: Matthew Brookes (Theology/Biblical Studies)
Vice-President D Byron Evans Award: Anthony Edward Buglass (New Testament)
The Fladbury Parish Award: Poh Lee Choong (Pastoral Studies)
Rupert Judge Prize: Edward Dalcour (Dogmatics)
Closing remarks were made by the Dean of GST: Prof Dr A le R du Plooy followed by Closing Praise, The Benediction, and finally the South African National Anthem.
The Academics retired in procession and after all the photographs had been taken a splendid buffet tea awaited.
Thanks must go to all those who were instrumental in organising the event in Potchefstroom and in the UK. It is a team effort and to single out any individuals would detract from that; however, a special mention is needed for Johan Govea who acts so effectively as the ‘go-between’.