Frank Tay (left) and Associate Professor Alfred Guender. A new scholarship has been established in honour of Frank Tay, who served as the Head of the Department of Economics, the Dean of ARts, as Principal of Rochester and Rutherford Hall, and on several key committees of the Professorial Board during his time at UC.
A new scholarship has been established to recognise the significant contributions by Frank Tay during his 40-year tenure at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
The Frank Tay Scholarship offers financial support to a UC student to continue studying Economics in a research-based degree at the postgraduate level. The scholarship fund consists mainly of contributions made by former students and former colleagues, with the goal to raise enough funds for an endowed scholarship. To date, sufficient donations have come in to establish a $5,000 scholarship for 2023 onward. The ultimate goal is to increase the award to $10,000 per year.
Associate Professor Alfred Guender worked closely with Frank during his time at UC and is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the fund.
“Frank Tay is a remarkable man with a long and distinguished service record at UC, which began in the early 1960s and endures to this day. He made a huge impact on many people as a dedicated teacher, supervisor, or mentor.
“He attracted bright and motivated students to the department – some of whom became first-class researchers and high-flyers – and was instrumental, together with Professor Bert Brownlie, in shaping UC Economics to become the leading national training ground for economists well-versed in modern analytical thinking.”
During his tenure, Frank served as the Head of the Department of Economics, as the Dean of Arts, and on key committees of the Professorial Board, including as the Chair of the Library Committee. He was also Principal of Rochester and Rutherford Hall from 1989 until 1994. Upon his retirement he chronicled the history of Economics at the University in 125 Years of Economic Studies at Canterbury, New Zealand (1879-2003).
The scholarship fund drive has been initiated to coincide with the centenary of the University’s Economics (and Finance) Department. Associate Professor Guender says the timing of the scholarship and its focus on intergenerational gifting is particularly fitting.
“Supporting academic excellence was always a top priority for Frank which is why a scholarship to recognise academic achievement, made by former students to future cohorts of UC students, is a fitting way to recognise Frank’s outstanding service now and in the years to come. Several former and current colleagues have already contributed to the fund which underscores that Frank is held in high regard by former and current staff members.
“We also wanted to recognise Frank’s painstaking chronicling of the establishment and evolution of our Department, which has played a pivotal role in enabling us to celebrate the Department’s Centennial.
“Frank is aware of this initiative and humbled by the prospect of the Frank Tay Scholarship furthering the professional development of future UC students.”
