Geoffrey Norman Malcolm (23 April 1931 – 11 August 2019) was a New Zealand physical chemist. Appointed in 1969, he was the first chemistry professor at Massey University.

Geoff Malcolm
Born
Geoffrey Norman Malcolm

(1931-04-23)23 April 1931
Feilding, New Zealand
Died11 August 2019(2019-08-11) (aged 88)
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Alma materCanterbury University College (MSc(Hons))
University of Manchester (PhD)
Spouse
Sheila Mary Wilson
(m. 1958)
Children4
Scientific career
FieldsPhysical chemistry
InstitutionsMassey University
Notable studentsGraham Fortune

Biography

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Born in Feilding on 23 April 1931, Malcolm was educated at Feilding Agricultural High School.[1] He then studied at Canterbury University College, graduating Master of Science with first-class honours in 1954.[2] He was awarded an 1851 Exhibition Memorial Scholarship,[2] and completed doctoral studies at the University of Manchester in 1956.[1][3]

In 1958, Malcolm married Sheila Mary Wilson, and the couple went on to have four children.[1]

After a short period as an assistant lecturer at the University of Manchester in 1956–57, Malcolm returned to New Zealand.[1] He was appointed as a lecturer in chemistry at the University of Otago in 1958, rising to the rank of reader.[1] In 1969, he was appointed as professor of physical chemistry at Massey University, and was the first professor of chemistry at that institution.[4] He later served as dean of science from 1984 to 1994.[1][5] Following his retirement in 1995, he was conferred the title of professor emeritus.[1][3][5] Malcolm was elected a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) in 1966, and served as president of the NZIC in 1977.[1][3]

Malcolm died in Palmerston North on 11 August 2019.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). "New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001". New Zealand Who's Who, Aotearoa. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers: 571. ISSN 1172-9813.
  2. ^ a b "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Ma". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Professores emeriti". Massey University Calendar (PDF). Massey University. 2018. p. 52. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  4. ^ Taylor, Carol; Brodie, Andrew (September 2002). "Chemistry@Massey" (PDF). Chemistry in New Zealand. p. 5. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Geoffrey Malcolm death notice". The New Zealand Herald. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.