21 / 56
NEWS
20
Convocation 2016:
new prize marks
excellence in education
We’re delighted to announce a brand
new prize for Convocation 2016. The
James Buckman Presentation Cup, which
recognises excellence in education, will
be presented to Tom Overbury, RAU
Farms Director and Principal Lecturer
in Farm Mechanisation, at the School
of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Convocation ceremony on 21 July.
Tom was selected for his immense
enthusiasm, and genuine passion for
his subject. A helpful and inspirational
lecturer, his open door policy ensures that
students have all the help and support
they need to succeed. His unique blend of
practical and applied education, coupled
with his substantial farming experience,
provides students with an excellent
learning environment in which to flourish.
Students and staff were invited to
nominate the person they feel has made
a significant contribution towards the
students’ educational progress, and
students took part in the judging process.
The cup itself is an antique silver
cup presented to Professor James
Buckman upon his retirement from
the Royal Agricultural College in 1863.
The engraving on the cup reads:
Presented to Professor James Buckman
by the students of the Royal Agricultural
College and other friends upon his
retirement from the Professorships of
Geology and Botany in that institution
as an expression of their high esteem
and in testimony of the fidelity and
success with which he has discharged
the duties of this position for 16 years
and in acknowledgement of the
important services rendered by him in the
advancement of scientific agriculture.
This citation reflects the stature of Professor
Buckman and it is fitting that it is now
used to recognise attributes similar to
those he displayed in the founding years
of the Royal Agricultural College.
Professor Buckman was a keen advocate
of Darwin’s theory of evolution by
natural selection, and made significant
contributions to the understanding
of both plants and geology, at a time
when soil science was in its infancy.
He bred one of the commercial parsnip
varieties still widely grown today, named
‘the student’, and established the
Corinium Museum in Cirencester.
In 2015, Professor David Hopkins,
Dean of the School of Agriculture,
Food and Environment at the RAU,
acquired the cup from the great-great-
granddaughters of Professor Buckman
now living in Vancouver – it appears
that the cup travelled to Canada when
descendants of Buckman emigrated.
The 2016 Convocation ceremonies will
be held in Cirencester Parish Church
on 21 and 22 July – congratulations to
those students graduating, and all the
best for the future. Do keep in touch!
The James Buckman Presentation Cup