KEY POINTS:
Distinguished alumni of the University of Auckland gathered last night for an awards ceremony but world champion rower Mahe Drysdale had to give it a miss for the second year.
Drysdale - yesterday confirmed in the team heading to the Beijing Olympics - was due to pick up the Young Alumnus of the Year Award for 2007, as he was competing at the time of last year's dinner.
University spokesman Bill Williams said Drysdale was again unable to attend. It had not been decided when the athlete would receive the award but it was hoped to be this year - perhaps at a special function in his honour.
Seven alumni received awards at the gala dinner and ceremony.
The 2008 Young Alumnus of the Year, pianist John Chen, who gained a master of music degree at the age of 18, accepted his award on a video recorded in Los Angeles.
The other awardees were:
Acclaimed literary figure Emeritus Professor C. K. Stead.
Prominent engineer and business leader Sir Ron Carter.
Colorectal surgeon and surgical researcher Dr James Church.
Emeritus Professor Carrick Chambers, a botanist after whom the Blechnum chambersii fern is named.
Justice Lowell Goddard, QC, the first woman of Maori descent to be appointed to the High Court bench, in 1995.
Lynette Stewart, chairwoman of the Northland District Health Board.
