Hilary Kitt and Bruce Gallie from Colliers International present Scott Larcombe with his award.
This year’s Marcus Kitt Memorial Bursary has been awarded to final-year business student Scott Larcombe at a special presentation at Massey University’s Auckland campus.
The former Rangitoto College student, who is studying for a Bachelor of Business with a double major in economics and property valuation, was chosen to receive the $5000 bursary established by global real estate services company Colliers International.
The firm partnered with the Massey Business School to create the bursary in memory of long-serving staff member and Massey alumnus Marcus Kitt, who died in 2015 after developing a brain tumour. The father of two children had worked for Colliers for eight years in Auckland, London and Jakarta.
The criteria for the bursary included strong academic achievement, good communication and interpersonal skills and the potential to succeed in a real estate career, all characteristics exemplified by Marcus Kitt.
Massey property lecturer Alan Pope said Mr Larcombe was a worthy recipient of the annual prize.
“Scott is an excellent student with a proven academic record in both his property and economics majors,” Mr Pope said. “He also stands out in his class as a great communicator, working well with fellow students and staff alike.”
Bursary reduces financial burden
Mr Larcombe said he was “overjoyed to be recognised for all of the hard work that I have put into my studies”.
“I am currently working nightshifts to cover the cost of my study,” he said. “This bursary will take some of the financial stress off my shoulders. The bursary is also an affirmation of my choice to study property and has really helped to grow my passion for the subject – and I hope that this will show in my future grades.”
Mr Larcombe believes the bursary will also enhance his employability when he graduates.
“I hope the contacts that I have made here at university, and through the bursary, will help me to start a long and successful career,” he said.
Marcus Kitt’s widow, Hilary Kitt, and Colliers’ chief operating officer in New Zealand, Bruce Gallie, were on hand to present Mr Larcombe with his award.
“The bursary is designed to encourage excellence in real estate studies and is an ideal memorial to Marcus,” Mr Gallie said. “We hope it encourages students to consider a commercial property career, assisting them at a financial level to do so.”