The Council of Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand advised yesterday (20 July 2012) that Bruce Aitken has decided to retire from the position of Master of Knox College. A Council spokesperson said: “Bruce has made an important contribution to the life of Knox College over his 17 years in this position and an opportunity to acknowledge his service and thank him will be arranged in due course.”

The Aitken family will continue to reside at the Lodge until the end of October.

Jamie Gilbertson will continue in the role of Acting Master until a new Master is appointed to commence for the 2013 academic year.

Statement

The following statement was released by Mr Aitken at the same time as the Council’s announcement:

Bruce Aitken, who has enjoyed a long association with Knox College spanning more than forty years, has announced that he will retire as Master of Knox, a position he has held since 1995.

Mr Aitken began his association with Knox College in 1969 when he entered it as a first year university student studying law and music. Two years later he was elected President of the Knox College Students’ Club and in 1976 was Assistant Master. In 1977 he became a Fellow of the College, and was appointed to the Mastership 18 years later. He has been a member of the Council of Knox College and Salmond College since 1979.

Late last year a Commission appointed by the Presbyterian Church assumed governance of the College with the intention of changing “the management direction” of Knox. After consultation with the Commission Mr Aitken decided that since it is close to his retirement time he would “hand the implementation of new policies to a new face.”

Mr Aitken will retire from the position at the end of October this year. However he will maintain his long standing connection with the College.

A former partner in the Dunedin law firm McKinnon Aitken Martin, Mr Aitken has served on many local and national bodies including the Council of the University of Otago from 1985 to 2006 and was Pro-Chancellor of the University from 2004 to 2006.

He is currently Dean’s Warden and a Lay Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin.

In 2007 he was made an Associate of the Royal School of Church Music for services to church music.

In 2009 he was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to education and music.

Mr Aitken and his wife, Wendy, plan to remain in Dunedin. He intends to pursue a number of interests which have taken a back seat during his extremely busy tenure as Master.

Posted 21 July 2012