Glenn Colquhoun - BA, MBChB

Glenn is an alumnus of two of the University's faculties: in 1988 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Education, and in 1997 he graduated from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.

Glenn's achievements have already secured him a prominent place in New Zealand's literary landscape. His special talent has been recognised in the prizes he has won for particular works and for the award last year of the Prize in Modern Letters, New Zealand's highest literary accolade. The judges - a panel of leading contemporary American writers who were unanimous in their decision - commented that he has "everything it takes for greatness".

Glenn has published three collections of poetry. The Art of Walking Upright won the Jessie Mackay Best First Book of Poetry Award at the 2000 Montana Book Awards; and Playing God, his third collection, won the Poetry Category Award 2003 and the coveted Readers' Choice Award in 2004. Glenn's early interest in the minds and imaginations of children has also found literary expression in his writings for children.

Glenn has been likened to historian Michael King in exploring what it means to be a Pakeha. His work reflects his experiences living and working as a general practitioner in the small Northland community of Te Tii, where he went to learn more about Maori values and language. Through his work, he explores and challenges modern medical practice and some accepted notions of it, as well as the issues of race and identity.

Glenn received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005.