My time at UC had a huge impact on my life, he says. If had stayed on my original path I泭probably would泭have been a parish priest somewhere. But my vocational goals changed, and my studies set me up for a different career. I also met my wife Elizabeth while we were both students. We still have wonderful friends who we studied with in the Clinical Psychology programme.
Dr Gray left New 厙ぴ勛圖in 1966, a year after graduating, and went on to carve out a distinguished career in the field of mental health in Canada. He usually makes a return visit to New 厙ぴ勛圖every two years but decided to come back earlier than planned so he could join the泭upcoming泭厙ぴ勛圖泭Alumni and Community Weekend, 27 - 29 October.泭
Im泭getting a little bit older, and my brother and lots of泭my泭friends are here, so I thought, Why not come back sooner?, Dr Gray says.
He remembers having a lot of fun during his years as a UC student. It was so different from my time at high school in Whanganui. It was exciting and a challenge and there was a lot of learning - more than just book learning.泭泭
I was in泭College House hall泭for three years and it was泭a great experience, very social. We had meals together and we had fresher days. There were lots of sporting activities.
Dr Gray says studying at UC opened his mind to new possibilities and he enjoyed the challenging practical work experiences he had during his Clinical Psychology diploma.
UC泭Amokapua泭| Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Brett Berquist says泭the Community and Alumni Weekend is one of many泭events泭celebrating the Universitys泭150th泭anniversary泭this year泭and泭will be a great泭chance for people to泭reunite泭with classmates and friends.泭
Were泭thrilled to welcome back alumni from abroad, like John, as well as from across NZ.泭泭In particular, we泭invite the Christchurch community to泭take a look泭at the many events we have planned - lectures, lab tours,泭booths explaining our research泭into the UNs Sustainable Development Goals,泭music,泭and,泭most importantly,泭good泭food.泭
Graduates泭and泭members of the泭community泭are encouraged to register for泭any of泭the泭nearly 50泭events over the weekend. The weekend will wrap up with a community picnic at the University.泭
Dr Gray is now retired but his career in Canada included being the director of a psychiatric hospital and director of the British Colombia mental health service. As a volunteer, he was the President of泭the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and the Secretary General of the International Association of Gerontology.
He still swims and goes walking regularly and returns to Aotearoa regularly to attend the New 厙ぴ勛圖Masters Games.
- UCs Alumni and Community Weekend is泭being held at the Ilam Campus泭from Friday October 27 to October 29.泭All泭activities are泭free泭but泭most泭require泭registration.泭泭
