William Wallace Gibson Memorial Scholarship, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Bill Gibson was a Presbyterian Minister who served in a number of Parish roles and as the Executive Director of Presbyterian Support Services. He was an active freemason, serving as the Grand Chaplain. His death ends a family relationship between New Zealand Pacific No. 2 and the Gibson family spanning over a hundred years and four generations. This Scholarship is being awarded in his memory.
Purpose of award
One scholarship shall be awarded biennially to a postgraduate student in Religious Studies at Victoria University to provide support for postgraduate students in Religious Studies whilst they are engaged in research.
Selection criteria
The award is open to all postgraduate Religious Studies students, irrespective of faith, nationality, marital status, sex or age.
The selection will be made on the basis of an expression of interest to the Religious Studies Programme Director. The Programme Faculty will then reduce the list of nominees to three students who will be interviewed by a sub-Committee of the Lodge.
The successful candidate will be chosen on the basis of a panel interview with Lodge members where three areas will be discussed:

1. The candidate’s academic merit,
2. Their engagement in community activities, and
3. The purpose for which the Scholarship proceeds will be used.

Number of awards offered: One each year
Value: $2000.00
Tenure of award: One year