Rutherford’s descendant celebrates UC connection
Felix Loten, great-great-grandson of Ernest Rutherford.
The great-great-grandson of Ernest Rutherford, “father of the atom” and the University of Canterbury's most distinguished graduate, has followed in his forebear’s footsteps by graduating from the University.
Felix Loten, the first of Rutherford’s direct descendants to attend the University of Canterbury, graduated in April 2008 with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours. His graduation comes in the same year as celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Rutherford receiving the Nobel Prize.
The 22-year-old flew back from Perth, where he is now working as an installation engineer. He said he nearly didn’t make the journey from Perth for graduation, but was pleased he did.
“For quite a while I seriously considered not going as it is such a long way to Christchurch from Perth for such a short stay, but I am glad I did. It was a good opportunity to see all my friends in one place before they all go off in their separate directions.”
Loten said while his family had always talked about Rutherford’s achievements, it was not something they discussed over dinner each night. In fact, Loten revealed that most of his university friends were unaware of his family’s connection.
For Jane Loten, seeing her son graduate was a very proud moment.
“Felix's graduation is extra special due to the family connection to Canterbury University,” she said.
“I also think that having seen the size and complexity of some of the textbooks that came home that it is no mean feat to get a degree in mechanical engineering from Canterbury. Felix has an original mind and I like to think that he has some of the Rutherford genes. He always has some project on the go to keep him out of mischief.”
During their visit to Christchurch Loten and his family visited Rutherford’s Den. Now part of the Arts Centre of Christchurch, the den was where Rutherford once studied and did his experiments. The visit was organised by Associate Professor Peter Cottrell (Physics and Astronomy), who is one of the den’s trustees.
"The Trustees of Rutherford's Den were delighted to show Felix and his family around the den on the morning of his graduation.
"The den is a fantastic teaching and learning space, as well as elegantly displaying the social and scientific history of the University of Canterbury's most famous graduate. And it encompasses an actual space that Rutherford and another significant Canterbury graduate, Jack Erskine, used for scientific experiments in 1894."
Cottrell also arranged for the Loten family to view the University’s collection of Rutherford’s medals.
“It was very humbling seeing the sheer numbers of medals awarded,” said Mrs Loten.
“I was not aware of how many there were. I grew up with the Nobel prize on the mantelpiece and it is a very impressive and beautiful document. I knew ER had been awarded the Nobel Prize but thought that was pretty much it.”