Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
13 minutes ago
(Left to Right) Acting Head of School of Nursing Katie Rongonui and nursing student, Kya Joe
On Thursday at the opening of EIT’s new Te Kahikatea Clinical Nursing Suite, CEO Lucy Laitinen announced a new scholarship in honour of former nursing lecturer Maxine Mae Anderson.
Maxine had a long association with EIT for over 20 years. She was known for being a caring and generous person, described as ‘proper’ but very warm and committed to her students.
Passionate about research, Maxine was an advocate for women’s health and completed a master’s thesis on menopause.
Maxine built close relationships with students and was deeply engaged in their success. She could often be found sitting on the floor with them in the library, and many of her students attended her funeral.
Described as a very giving individual with a clear intent to make a meaningful and practical difference, Maxine had a strong desire to give back to EIT and support the future of nursing and made a significant bequest to EIT, leaving instructions with her executors to work with EIT to develop a scholarship in honour of her family, particularly her beloved parents.
Ann McCleland, co-Executor, friend and former colleague, says it was Maxine’s love of students that led to the Scholarship. “Maxine was an only child of an only child, and she never married, so her students were like her family. She would go the extra mile for them, especially when they were struggling.’ A $10,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a second or third-year student. The criteria place a strong emphasis on those balancing family responsibilities and financial hardship, while demonstrating commitment and perseverance.
Acting Head of School of Nursing Katie Rongonui says the scholarship opens doors for students, their whānau and the future of nursing education. “This scholarship will make a meaningful difference to a lucky student, helping to remove barriers to study and supporting them to achieve their goals. Its impact will extend well beyond the recipients themselves, benefiting the many individuals, whānau, and communities they will care for throughout their nursing careers.”
The scholarship will be available from 2027, with the first award supporting study in that year.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/07/beloved-eit-nurse-educator-honoured-with-annual-10000-nursing-scholarship/