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Graduation ceremony

St Andrews in the News

June 2023

Welcome to the June issue of St Andrews in the News and congratulations to all our new graduates! We are delighted to welcome you into our alumni community.


We hope you enjoy this month’s 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.

BUCS Golf Champions

Summer Graduation 2023

We were delighted to welcome over 2,000 new graduates to our alumni community during a gloriously sunny week. This year - in addition to the traditional celebrations - graduates could opt in to receive a bespoke video clip of the moment they crossed the stage and take photos with friends and family at our photo booth. We also welcomed new members of our Kaleidoscope Alumni Network to daily courtyard parties and invited Family Programme members who have supported the University during their student's degree programme to join our special cocktail parties. 


If you know anyone who didn't get their Stageclip then please contact us at: alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk.


Thanks to everyone for making this a week to remember. We're already looking forward to our winter graduation later this year!


Somewhere to Stay exhibition

Laidlaw Music Centre – architectural awards

The University’s Laidlaw Music Centre has recently been recognised by two prestigious architectural awards.


The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced this week that the Laidlaw had won a RIBA National Award 2023 in recognition of its significant contribution to architecture.


Earlier this month, the building was named as one of seven 2023 Scottish Architecture Award winners by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), while the University was also named Client of the Year at the RIAS awards in recognition of its close relationship with Jason Flanagan of Flanagan Lawrence - the project architects. 


This award-winning building would not have been possible without the support of so many generous donors.


You can read more about the awards here.



BUCS Golf Champions

Alumni Weekend

Alumni from all over the world came back to St Andrews at the end of graduation week to socialise, reconnect and participate in a weekend of activities ranging from a wine tasting and a barbeque to an exhibition and discussion about 'What Makes us Human?' to a behind-the-scenes look at the Laidlaw Music Centre (including lunch with the cast of Byre Opera's Mansfield Park). We also hosted a welcome drinks reception, the General Council meeting, the University's Public Meeting, a chapel service, a pier walk and a fizz night.


We hope alumni and friends enjoyed it as much as we did! 


Save the date for next year's Alumni Weekend between Friday 14 and Sunday 16 June 2024. Details of the full programme will be announced later in 2023.


BUCS Golf Champions

The Complete University Guide 2024

The Complete University Guide 2024 has ranked St Andrews as the top university in Scotland and top in the UK for student satisfaction for the fifth year running.


Read more about The Complete University Guide 2024 here.


lightbulb with blue tokens insuide

Chronicle Extra

Chronicle Extra is available online now. This digital companion to the printed version of Chronicle gives you access to webpages, blogs, videos and news archives wherever you see the Chronicle Extra logo in the printed magazine.


You can access Chronicle Extra here.


St Andrews beach

Saint Connect

Calling all University of St Andrews alumni, students, staff and parents! Saint Connect is your exclusive University of St Andrews global online community for networking, career mentoring and keeping up to date with what’s happening in St Andrews.


We have recently upgraded and moved to the more user-friendly Aluminati Community Builder, and this is now open for you to register. We are looking forward to working for you and with you to develop the potential of this programme.  


Find the link to the new Saint Connect here.


If you have any queries and/or feedback, please feel free to get in touch with us on saintconnect@st-andrews.ac.uk.


Somewhere to Stay exhibition

Winners of the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Manny Sangha and Lucas Lasagna del Val with the trophy – presented by Ian Muir, the University's Director of Golf

The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2023

Around 80 alumni, parents, students and friends of the University joined us at the Torrance Course for a great day of golf at this year's tournament. Alumnus Manny Sangha and his playing partner Lucas Lasagna del Val ultimately emerged as the worthy winners. Prizes were awarded and the day's round discussed at a barbeque dinner that evening.


View a photo gallery here.


Save the date for next year's Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday 15 June 2024. Details coming soon!


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Beach Sprint rowing coach joins the University

Iain Docwra will take up the post of Scottish Rowing Beach Sprints Pathway Coach at the University on 1 August 2023. This post is funded by sportscotland and aims to identify and prepare athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.


Find out more about the new role


heart drawn in sand

New Fellows induction day at the RSE on 30 May

Photo credit: Stuart Attwood Photography

The University of St Andrews contingent enjoyed the new Fellows’ induction day at the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) on 30 May. From left to right: Professor Phillips O’Brien (Head of School of  International Relations); Professor Sasha Hooker (School of Biology); Professor Lorna Milne (School of Modern Languages); Professor Frank Gunn-Moore (Head of School of Biology) and Dr Margaret McCartney (NRS Fellow, School of Medicine).


Diva Opera

Global History of Terrorism Archive launches

The University’s renowned Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence celebrates the launch of its new Global History Terrorism Archive, which contains records of historic newspaper reports relating to terrorism, political violence and security threats around the world.


Read more about the launch of the archive here.


Strategic Plan 2023-2027

Alumni stories

We welcome stories from alumni about your time here, your journey since leaving and what the University of St Andrews has contributed to that journey.


This month, we feature Daniel Valentine and ‘honorary alumnus’ Mike Wilson.

Email the editor at sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to share your story.



Tartan Week parade

Free rainbow lanyard for pride month

To celebrate the last weekend of pride month the University shop is running a special promotion.


Find out more here


Tartan Week parade

SaintsFunder

This month’s SaintsFunder project – the Guardian Saints Appeal – is a collaborative project between the University and the University of St Andrews Students’ Association. The project aims to combat the cost-of-living crisis and high energy costs by raising funds for the Student Support Fund.


Find out more about how you can support the project.


SaintsFunder is open to all students, alumni and University staff, so send your ideas to SaintsFunder@st-andrews.ac.uk


Ben Weber and Isra'a Al'Jaish

Saints Talk – Silvia Paracchini

Our latest Saints Talk – ‘From genes to brains: multidisciplinary approaches to understand dyslexia and specific learning difficulties’ – was by Dr Silvia Paracchini, School of Medicine.


If you missed this or any previous Saints Talks, you can watch them again.

Watch previous Saints Talks


Alumni Authors

The Girl Next Door


Cecilia Vinesse (MLitt 2013)

book cover

Rambles Round Glasgow: 21st Century Edition


Karen Murdarasi (MA 2002)

book cover


orchestra

Laidlaw Live

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

Read more about Laidlaw Music Centre events

Watch and listen to music from St Andrews


students on beach

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@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information