J N McNicol Prize

Presented annually to one Bachelor degree graduate for excellent academic performance and outstanding leadership potential and initiative.

What is the J N McNicol Prize?

This prize is presented annually to one higher education Bachelor degree graduate. Only one graduate is nominated by each College in February. The candidate is assessed on their excellent academic record and outstanding leadership potential and initiative.

The J N McNicol prize was donated to RMIT by the late Mr E J Reilly to perpetuate the memory of the late Mr J N McNicol, who was a close and respected friend, and to commemorate Mr McNicol's constant encouragement and assistance to students of RMIT.  

The value of the award is a one off payment, the value of which shall be based on income from the investment of monies forming the capital from time to time of the J N McNicol fund, a prize certificate and a medal to commemorate the late J N McNicol.

How to apply

If you have completed an undergraduate first degree qualification at RMIT you may be eligible for this prize.

Contact your School or College about submitting a nomination for pre-selection by the end of your final year of undergraduate study.

Your nomination must be supported by a complete record of official academic results, highlighting major subjects, a signed statement highlighting your leadership and initiative, and any additional supporting document and a signed supporting statement from the School that nominates you.

The successful candidate is interviewed in March by a Selection Committee, comprising the Academic Registrar (or nominee), and one senior staff member from each College.

The candidate is assessed on their excellent academic record (70%) and outstanding leadership potential and initiative (30%) and an interview.

Past recipients

  • 2023 – Amarens Breteler, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (DSC College)
  • 2022 – Vo Phuong Anh, Business and Management (BUS/LAW College Vietnam)
  • 2021 – Harrison Schipke, Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2020 – Nyree Raabe, Global, Urban and Social Studies  (DSC College)
  • 2019 – Jenna McDonald, Global, Urban and Social Studies (DSC College)
  • 2018 – Natassia Lilian Bell, Global, Urban and Social Studies (DSC College)
  • 2017 – Jessica Borg, Property Construction and Project Management (DSC College)
  • 2016 – Amrit Singh Sandhu, Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2015 – Jean-Luc Joseph Tambasco, Electrical and Computer Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2014 – Ricardo Saracoglu, Economics, Finance and Marketing (BUS College)
  • 2013 – Bethany Jane Edgoose, Global, Urban and Social Studies (DSC College)
  • 2012 – Ella Rose Mares Colley, Global Studies, Social Science and Planning (DSC College)
  • 2011 – Johanna Louise Austin, Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2010 – Anthony Ian McCann, Electrical and Computer Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2009 – Kiplimo Yego, Electrical and Computer Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2008 – Justin Roxley Woolley, Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2007 – Jillian Jane Charlwood, Applied Communication (DSC College) and Tony Tanoyo, Electrical and Computer Engineering (STEM College)
  • 2006 – Christopher Robert Chapman, Computer Science and information Technology (STEM College)
  • 2005 – Miles Anton Johnson, Computer Science and information Technology (STEM College)
  • 2004 – Damon Craig, Engineering
  • 2003 – Gabrielle Stannus, The Constructed Environment
  • 2002 – John Papandriopoulos, Engineering/Applied Science
  • 2001 – Nicholas Halfpenny, The Constructed Environment
  • 2000 – Mark Amott, Engineering
  • 1999 – Lisa Harris, Art, Design and Communication
  • 1998 – Leigh Mollison, Engineering
  • 1997 – Bevan Damm, Engineering
  • 1996 – Marie Smyth, Art and Design, and Robyn Taylor, Engineering  
  • 1995 – Felizes Sangalang, Engineering
  • 1994 – Elaine Quah, Engineering
  • 1993 – Natalie Plumstead, Environmental Design and Construction
  • 1992 – Heiko Rudolph, Engineering
  • 1988 – Colin Vickery, Applied Social Sciences and Communications
  • 1987 – Ann-Marie Elliot, Applied Science, and Veronica Podolak, Business 
  • 1986 – Jonathan D'Cruz, Engineering
  • 1985 – Michael Waller, Engineering
  • 1984 – Ronald McLean, Engineering
  • 1983 – John Tidey, Applied Social Sciences and Communications
  • 1981 – John Taylor, Engineering
  • 1980 – Christine Harvey, Business
  • 1979 – Murray Scott, Engineering
  • 1978 – John Monaghan, Engineering
  • 1977 – Robert Elliman, Applied Science
  • 1976 – Andrew Grubb, Engineering

More information

For more information, email graduation@rmit.edu.au.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.