Students make a splash at the May Dip

Students gathered on a misty East Sands to take part in the traditional May Dip. The early morning scenes on the beach were wonderful to see, with warming fires and thousands of students preparing for an atmospheric dawn swim. The tradition is intended to bring good luck to students in their exams and cleanse any academic sins.

The evening before taking the plunge, students donned their red gowns for the Gaudie and walked with flaming torches down to the lower cross pier – an alternative route due to storm damage on the main pier.

Graduation garden parties

If any of our Family Programme members are in town for their student’s graduation in June, do stop by and say hello to the Development and Alumni Relations team on the way to the graduation garden parties on Lower College Lawn.

New graduates can visit our graduation photo booth for free prints as a unique souvenir of the occasion and collect a ‘grad bag’ courtesy of Development.

We’ll also be hosting Kaleidoscope Alumni Network receptions. Contact stakan@st-andrews.ac.uk for more details.

Commemorate graduation with a seat plaque in the Younger Hall

Commemorate this year's graduation with an inscribed seat plaque in the Younger Hall. Whether you are graduating, or have a student who is, you can mark this special occasion by sponsoring a seat in the hall where all new graduates cross the stage.

The University Golf Team, pictured at Latrobe Country Club with Arnold Palmer's iconic tractor

Arnold Palmer Legacy Experience at Latrobe Country Club

We were delighted to welcome alumni, parents and friends to Latrobe Country Club, Pennsylvania, for the Arnold Palmer Legacy Experience.

The bespoke programme included an opportunity to play with the University's golf team – including Ellie Monk, who recently won the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open. Guests also toured Arnold Palmer's office at his home club, enjoyed a private viewing of the Honorary Graduate's golfing memorabilia, and hit a few shots with the legendary golfer’s custom clubs.

While in the US, the student golfers teed off at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Florida – courtesy of the University's relationship with the Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation. This provided an opportunity to meet with some of the key supporters who make the Arnold Palmer Golf Scholarships at St Andrews possible. The team was also kindly hosted at Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania, by member and current parent John Cathey. 

Spring Chancellor's Circle event

It was wonderful to welcome members of the Chancellor's Circle to our spring event at Inner Temple, London, on Tuesday 14 May.

Guests heard from Dr James Rae of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences who gave a fascinating interactive talk entitled 'Climate change and how to fix it: lessons from Earth's past for our future'.

Professor Brad MacKay, Deputy Principal and Vice-Principal (International Strategy and External Relations), welcomed members on behalf of the Chancellor, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem. Director of Development Robert Fleming took the opportunity to celebrate the University's most generous legacy donation to date – a remarkable gift of £3 million which will support both undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships.

We are incredibly grateful to our legacy donors – and to all in our community of giving – for your continued support.

Entrepreneurship Centre Awards

Graduates of the University’s FastStart entrepreneurship programmes and the winners of two competitions – The Start Up Challenge and What’s the big idea? – attended the Entrepreneurship Centre’s bi-annual awards evening featuring keynote speaker Sarah Stein Greenberg, Global Fellow 2024 (Education) and Executive Director of the Stanford d.school.

The Start Up Challenge is aimed at both students and recent alumni who want to develop their existing business further.

The Entrepreneurship Centre offers programmes and support for students, staff and members of the local community.

Student Stories

This month, we feature two of our current St Andrews students – Jakub Lewandowski and Scarlett Kim – both of whom are student callers in our current telephone campaign, raising funds to support students who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Scarlett and Jakub (pictured) have returned for a second year to speak to alumni and friends about their experiences of St Andrews and their fascinating lives and careers beyond.

Alumni Authors

Alumni Weekend: book now to secure your place

Only a final few places remain for our Alumni Weekend events, taking place from 14 to 16 June in St Andrews. Tickets are going fast with some events already sold out. Book now to secure your spot at this year's celebrations. 

Residential accommodation is available with a special alumni discount.

The weekend also features the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which will be played on the Kittocks Course, St Andrews on Saturday 15 June. This brings together alumni, parents, students and friends of the University in support of Saints Golf.

Contact alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like help to reconnect with fellow alumni.

Hong Kong drinks reception: Thursday 23 May

Alumni, families and friends of the University are warmly invited to join our Head of Development, London and International, Pamela Stephenson at a drinks reception in Hong Kong later this week:

Venue: Cardinal Point, Forty-Five, Gloucester Tower, Landmark, Hong Kong

Date: Thursday 23 May

Time: 7pm

Please register to join Pamela and catch up with news from St Andrews: developmentevents@st-andrews.ac.uk

Saints Talk

Dr Leshu Torchin of the School of Philosophy, Anthropology and Film Studies will give our next Saints Talk on Tuesday 28 May at 5.15pm (BST), entitled 'Documentary Film (and other Media) in a Post-Truth World'.

Register below to attend, or watch previous Saints Talks.

University Annual Public Meeting 2024

All are welcome to attend the University’s Annual Public Meeting, which will be followed by a reception. Please register via the link below.

Date: Saturday 15 June 2024

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Location: Buchanan Lecture Theatre (Meeting), Parliament Hall (Reception)

The General Council procession at graduation, November 2023

General Council

The next meeting of the General Council will take place on Saturday 15 June at 10.30am in Parliament Hall. Tea and coffee will be available from 10am.

Please register to attend by contacting generalcouncil@st-andrews.ac.uk with your name, maiden name if applicable, year of graduation, degree and subject.

Highland Fusion's performance of Seaonaidh the Water Spirit

SaintsFunder

This month's SaintsFunder appeal is Highland Fusion's 2024-2025 Bursary. This aims to enable passionate and talented Highland dancers and choreographers within the St Andrews community to pursue dance – regardless of financial circumstances. The bursary will help towards membership costs, including kit and competition fees.

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.

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