From global courts to the graduation stage

Come May, Lauryn Hippolite will be crossing the stage at the Christchurch Town Hall to collect her Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science – a path she chose fuelled by her passion for food and nutrition. “It just felt like the best fit for me at Lincoln,” she shares. 

But Lauryn’s journey at Lincoln University hasn’t been confined to textbooks and lecture halls. As a sports scholar and mainstay of the women’s basketball team, she took her skills to courts worldwide. 

From China, Turkey and Qatar, Lauryn represented Lincoln’s 3X3 side, facing off against the best tertiary teams in the World Cup. 

Lauryn has donned the black singlet for both junior and senior levels, jetting off to Guam, Jordan, and China. She also took her talents to the NCAA Division II courts at Hawaii Pacific University during the 2018-19 season.

“I am currently a semi-professional basketball player and I play all year round. I am playing basketball in Australia on a 6-month contract as well as representing New Zealand in both 3x3 and 5X5,” Lauryn says.

Lauryn attributes much of her success to Lincoln's scholarship programme, which allowed her to excel both academically and athletically on the world stage.

I was drawn to Lincoln due to its sports scholarship program. I was fortunate enough to gain a basketball scholarship for every year I studied at Lincoln and the program supported me to take my basketball further whilst continuing with my studies.

Her commitment paid off, winning Lincoln University Sportsperson of the Year in 2021, when she was first named a Tall Fern. 

Outside the court, Lauryn dons yet another hat as a part-time group fitness trainer, where she says she puts her university-acquired skills to practical use daily.

Lauryn aspires to play in the Olympics and add more stamps to her already bulging passport. 

We’re excited to watch her impressive list of achievements rise.

Congratulations on your graduation.