We celebrated the renaming of UC’s School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing Staff block as the Ann Ballin Building today, International Women’s Day.
The late Dame Ann’s friends and whānau joined us on campus and took the first tour of the newly renovated building.
Dame Reubina Ann Ballin was a life-long advocate for victims and people with disabilities. As a UC graduate of Psychology and a student counsellor from 1974 to 1986, she made an impact on students and staff for decades. In 2002, she was awarded Aotearoa New Zealand’s highest civilian honour – the Membership of the Order of New Zealand.
The Ann Ballin Building, which will continue to be home to Te Kura Mahi ā-Hiriapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, has been upgraded with low carbon features and will be incorporated into UC’s renewable energy systems in the future.
As part of Te Rāngai Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science, the reopening of the refurbished building also marks the completion of the UC Science precinct – a significant milestone for UC. The renaming of the building follows a strong tradition of UC buildings being named after alumni and staff.