Rate My Professor Jennie Henderson

Jennie Henderson is a Prospect Researcher in the Development and Alumni Relations office at the University of Otago, where she plays a key role in the Advancement Services team. Her responsibilities include researching prospects for university development initiatives, supporting alumni engagement, and contributing to external relations efforts. The Development and Alumni Relations division, located in the Clocktower Building, handles alumni contacts, bequests, annual giving, and major gift campaigns across various faculties including Health Sciences, Commerce, Humanities, and Sciences. Henderson's contact details are telephone +64 3 470 4725 and email jennie.henderson@otago.ac.nz. Previously, she served as a Collections Assistant in Publications at the Hocken Collections, part of the University of Otago Library. In this position, she managed aspects of the periodicals collection, including subscriptions, new arrivals, backlogs, and preservation packaging. She also conducted in-depth historical research, authoring several insightful blog posts for The Hocken Blog that showcased the collections' unique materials and stories from New Zealand's past.

Henderson's key publications on the Hocken Blog include 'Murder on the Maungatapu' (2018), which recounts the infamous 1866 goldfield crimes by a gang of four criminals who murdered five men on the Maungatapu track, detailing the sensational trial and public fascination using primary sources from the Hocken holdings. 'Dunedin's Hermit of Flagstaff' (2020) explores the solitary life of a local hermit on Flagstaff Hill, drawing parallels to isolation experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Joining the dots: the charm of primary sources' highlights the thrill of archival discovery, where unexpected connections emerge from manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera. Her research has also appeared in contexts like the Hocken Friends newsletter, including an entry on historical surveying methods. Beyond publications, Henderson has actively participated in university sustainability and community initiatives. She co-led volunteer efforts to plant native species in the Kia Ora Peace Garden to support pollinators and helped establish a campus worm farm for composting. She has supported holiday foodbank collections for Presbyterian Support Otago through DARO drives and engaged in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori activities, such as naming teams in Māori language challenges. Her contributions reflect a deep interest in New Zealand history, archival preservation, and fostering community within the university environment.