Tom Schnackenberg - BSc, MSc, Hon. DEng

Tom, an outstanding ambassador for science, the University, New Zealand industry and New Zealand, has been sailing on a wave of achievement ever since he secured a first class masters degree in Physics.

Tom brought sails into the computer age, adding new designs and new ways of testing. He contributed to the vision behind the building of the Twisted Flow Wind Tunnel at the Tamaki Campus, which simulates the winds to see how sails behave, and also contributes to medical science with the analogy to blood flow with valves as 'sails'.

Tom has worked with the University's Yacht Research Centre, was sail co-ordinator for 'Australia' II, III and IV in 1981-7 when they sailed to victory in the America's Cup, design co-ordinator for Team New Zealand and 'Black Magic' in 1993-5 and again in 2000, and in 2003 he headed the Team New Zealand syndicate. Tom has further extensive sports interests, including coaching the New Zealand yachting team for the Olympic Games in 1992 and 1996.

Tom received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.