Sir Michael Bonallack is presented with the Walker Cup in 1971. Picture by The R&A.

Remembering Sir Michael Bonallack

Sir Michael Bonallack OBE – Britain’s most decorated amateur golfer and honorary graduate of the University of St Andrews – has died aged 88. Sir Michael served on the board of the Robert T. Jones Trust for 16 years and as Chair of that board for 15 years. He was in addition a trustee of the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation. Sir Michael will be remembered as a passionate and dedicated supporter of the University, and as being instrumental in raising funds for the Bobby Jones Scholarship endowment fund.

Alumni Stories

We love to receive and share stories from our alumni about your time at the University, and about your journey beyond.

This month we feature David Rutnam, BSc 1981, and Dr Andrew Blaikie of the School of Medicine, who reflects on the pioneering ophthalmic research of alumnus Sir William Stewart Duke-Elder - 100 years on from his graduation - and its influence on the Arclight Project today.

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

SaintsFunder

This month’s SaintsFunder project – the Peter Gow Memorial Lecture – aims to fund a biennial, inspirational and accessible lecture in Amerindian Studies to honour the legacy of Professor Peter Gow. Professor Gow was an influential and inspiring figure in Amazonian anthropology. The project is to be run by the University’s Centre for Amerindian, Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CAS).

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

Saints Talk

Our next Saints Talk – 'Colonial-Era Caribbean Theatre – Then and Now' – is by Professor Julia Prest, School of Modern Languages. The talk will be held on Wednesday 15 November at 5.15pm.

You can watch previous Saints Talks online below.

Alumni Authors

The Andrew Carnegie Lecture Series

Former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion FRSL will give the next lecture entitled ‘Poetry and the Subject’ on Wednesday 1 November at 6pm in the Booth Lecture Theatre, Medical Building, North Haugh, St Andrews. This event is free and open to all. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Find out more about the Carnegie Lecture Series.

Save the date: London Alumni Carol Service

We are delighted to be hosting the annual London Christmas Carol Service at St Columba’s Church, Pont Street on Wednesday 13 December at 7pm. Registration details to follow – please save the date!

Save the date: St Andrews Alumni Carol Service

Join us in person or online for this year’s St Andrews Alumni Carol Service on Monday 4 December at 7pm (GMT) in St Salvator’s Chapel. The Service will be conducted by the University Chaplain – Revd Dr Donald MacEwan – and the carols led by the Renaissance Singers. Please mark your diary now for this festive highlight!

General Council

The next meeting of the General Council of the University of St Andrews will take place on Saturday 25 November at 10.30am in Parliament Hall, South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JU. Tea and coffee will be available from 10am.

The Chancellor, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, will preside and the Principal, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, will deliver the University Address.

General Council members will be sent a link to the billet (meeting paper) before the meeting. Printed copies will be available at the meeting or can be requested in advance from the General Council Office.

Email: generalcouncil@st-andrews.ac.uk

Study UK Alumni Awards

Applications for the UK Alumni Awards 2023 close on Sunday 22 October. If you studied in the UK and have gone on to make a difference in your profession, community or country, you could be a 2023-2024 winner. Apply now for the opportunity to raise your global profile and expand your professional network.

Laidlaw Live

The Laidlaw Music Centre presents an exciting and varied programme of concerts throughout the year, many of which are live-streamed and can be enjoyed 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@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.