Kaleidoscope Alumni Network: what's in our name? Everything

Catherine Dunford (BSc 2007, PhD 2012) is the Alumni Relations and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Engagement Coordinator. Here, she reflects on the foundation of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network, including the story behind the name and the brand.

Black History Month 2023 - Panel of Power: Saluting our sisters

Isaac Pickrum, a third-year student in International Relations and President of the African Caribbean Society explains how he and his peers are celebrating Black voices in St Andrews by creating a space for Black History Month (BHM) and advocating for curricular reform.

Recolouring the Queer

Kiki Aggarwal, a fourth-year student of Economics and International Relations, and BAME representative within the University’s LGBTQ+ Network, explains how their experience of arriving at St Andrews from India as a queer student encouraged them to take action through art, academia and activism.

Challenge, drive change, be unstoppable

Julie Barry is a Family Programme and Kaleidoscope Alumni Network member and is Senior Director of Development at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in the US. Julie, whose daughter is in her third year at St Andrews, was one of the first members to opt in to KAN. Here, she shares the words and motivation that have inspired her to speak up, speak out, speak to everyone, and to make a difference.

Reconnect with us and each other! An update from STAMSA

Raahim Zafar (MA 2020) and Sara Ahmed, final-year Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry student, share an update from the St Andrews Muslim Students Association (STAMSA), which connects current and future alumni through careers, social and other events.

STAMSA will be hosting a Chai Night in collaboration with KAN on Thursday 14 December in Manchester. More details can be found in the Events section below.

Curating aesthetics - starting my journey with Kaleidoscope

Amrita Rahman, a third-year English student, joined the Development Office as the first Kaleidoscope Alumni Network intern in summer 2023. She shares her experiences of working with KAN to celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of St Andrews alumni around the world.

KAN events 2023

Events are a core part of KAN's approach to building community and promoting cultural diversity. All are welcome to join us at any of the following upcoming events:

Chai Night with STAMSA

Thursday 14 December - 5.30pm - 7pm

Wilmslow / Oxford Road, M14

Meet fellow St Andrews Muslim Students Association/Islamic Society alumni and friends for an informal chai with light bites. All are welcome, whether you were a member of STAMSA / iSoc when you were a student, or are looking to meet up with old friends and make new ones.

Light lunch with medical alumni

Friday 15 December from 12.30pm - 2pm

The Health Academy, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, PR2 9HT

Join us for a light lunch with School of Medicine alumni, whether you are completing your studies or living and working in Preston and the surrounding areas. We are looking forward to catching up with future and current medical alumni.

Nibbles and drinks with alumni and friends

Friday 15 December from 6.30pm - 7.45pm
House of Books and Friends, 81 King Street, Manchester, M2 4AH

All alumni in the Manchester area are invited to join us in the charismatic setting of House of Books and Friends - a venue with values that align closely with ours - for nibbles and drinks. This gathering will be followed by a panel discussion, detailed below, for anyone who wishes to attend.

Perspectives on 'Recolouring the Queer'

Friday 15 December from 8pm - 9.30pm

House of Books and Friends, 81 King Street, Manchester, M2 4AH
This event celebrates our individual and collective efforts to engage in intentional and creative dialogue about Queer identity with:

Kiki Aggarwal, Saints LGBTQI+ BAME representative, whose initiative ‘Recolouring the Queer is a reclamation initiative focusing on the inclusivity of queer people of colour in St Andrews through intentional and inclusive activities.

Dr Amritesh Singh, Associate Lecturer in Academic English and TESOL, who will bring his lived experience of and academic expertise in the theory and praxis of Queer identity to the event.

Kathryn Herschell, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award Adviser, who is a vocal advocate and visible bi role model for LGBTQI+ people at the University of St Andrews.

Haft Sin traditional table of Nowruz, set for a cultural feast for Iranian new year.

Sneak preview: 2024 KAN events

Looking ahead to 2024, we are planning and supporting even more events to encourage alumni and supporters to celebrate our community. Further details will follow in the new year for anyone who has signed up to receive Kaleidoscope Alumni Network communications. 

Below is a sneak preview of what we have in store for KAN in the year ahead:

Spring Festival |February 2024

The Laidlaw Music Centre hosts the Spring Festival in collaboration with students, staff and alumni from the Chinese-speaking world. This event showcases a blend of elements, including traditional instruments, contemporary compositions by artists from, and traditional and modern popular songs.

Holi/Hola Mohalla | March 2024

Holi is also known as the Festival of Love, Festival of Colours or Festival of Spring. It revolves around themes of love, laughter, play and the vibrant hues of the season. Hola Mohalla normally coincides with Holi, with festivities including kirtan, poetry and music. To mark these festivities, we’re planning to host a in a vibrant festival of playful devotion in cultural unity.

Nowruz in St Andrews | Wednesday 20 March

Join us for this celebration of Nowruz - Iranian new year – to mark your hopes for the new year and shed the worries of the last. Experience all areas of this celebration with your friends, alumni and local community. These Nowruz festivities, including the traditional fire-jumping and foods, will be organised by the Persian Society in collaboration with the University's Wardlaw Museum and Kaleidoscope Alumni Network.

Graduation Week - Kaleidoscope Alumni Network Development Courtyard Receptions | Monday 10 - Friday 14 June

We are looking forward to welcoming new alumni to the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network during graduation week at our Development Courtyard Receptions. Enjoy live jazz and nibbles in the shade of the rowan tree (weather permitting) as part of the week’s celebrations.

Alumni Weekend | Friday 14 - Sunday 16 June

If you are celebrating a special anniversary of your graduation or looking for an opportunity to return to St Andrews, why not join us for Alumni Weekend? Last year we enjoyed book browsing, drinks, live music, golf, wine tasting, a barbeque and events at the Laidlaw Music Centre and the Wardlaw Museum and - last but not least - the traditional Sunday pier walk!

This year, in collaboration with the Wardlaw Museum, we’re planning to include an interdisciplinary panel discussion on our programme towards the end of the ‘Iran: The Wonders of Nature’ exhibition, which runs from January to June 2024. Further details to follow.

Black History Month | October 2024

Black History Month is an established national celebration in the United Kingdom. The African Caribbean Society will host their annual Panel of Power. The event will take on a theme and host panellists who speak to and lead the celebration of the experiences of the African Caribbean communities and their place and impact on British society in the context of Black History Month.

Tune in: KAN podcasts

We are excited to share not one but three episodes of our new KAN podcast series. Spend 15 minutes exploring equality, diversity and community with St Andrews staff members Lesley Caldwell and Ryan Patterson, or for a longer listen, hear all about colonial era pipe organs with the voices from the Laidlaw Music Centre.

Stories

Stories from St Andrews alumni, students and staff are shared in the monthly St Andrews in the News e-newsletter and online. We welcome contributions at stakan@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Spotlights and Spotify