Principal's Medal Morgan Brooke-Johnson

I should now like to introduce the Principal’s Medal. This award was inaugurated thirteen years ago with a gift from three anonymous donors and is supported by Ede and Ravenscroft, believed to be the oldest firm of tailors and robe-makers in the world. The award of the Principal’s Medal recognises students who display exceptional endeavour and achievement during their time at St Andrews. The awards are open to final-year undergraduates and postgraduates in any discipline, and the achievements celebrated are both academic and extra-curricular.

For the academic year 2019 to 2020, the Principal’s Medal was awarded to three outstanding students, and this celebration enables us to bestow the medal in the customary way. Today we recognise Morgan Brooke-Johnson, who graduated with a Master of Arts with Honours in Management – and I am pleased to note that she has received a first-class degree.

Morgan joined the University of St Andrews via our Supported Pathway programme, succeeding in gaining a place initially to read for the Master of Arts general degree. This Supported Pathways programme is designed to unlock potential where it had previously not been allowed to flourish and, during her time at St Andrews, Morgan has been an outstanding example of its worth. 

After completing her second year of general-level study, Morgan advanced to honours level. She subsequently made the Dean’s List for outstanding academic achievement in both honours years, and in 2020 she received the Nisbet Prize which recognises the most outstanding Management student in the entire class. Morgan graduated in 2020 with one of the most accomplished student records of her cohort, despite being a commuter student with significant responsibilities at home that were not shared by many of her peers.

Morgan’s generosity and will for self-advancement were demonstrated outside of the classroom. In her spare time, Morgan volunteered as a Mentor for Gateway to Arts students, in which role she has supported many incoming widening-access students in transitioning to the St Andrews community. And as an undergraduate, Morgan was approached to work as a Research Assistant by academics within the School of Management who were so impressed by her resourcefulness that they insisted she continued into postgraduate research. 

I am delighted to recognise that Morgan remains a student at our University, where she continues to lead her cohort academically and is fast emerging as an academic leader of the future. After receiving the Principal’s Medal, Morgan studied for the degree of Master of Research in Management Studies, which she attained with distinction in autumn 2021 – again at the top of her class. Morgan is now in her first year reading for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in our School of Management, with her research focusing upon the role of women in philanthropic organisations, and her rigour, talent, and ambition show no signs of abating.

Morgan, in recognition of all that you have achieved academically and your selfless support of others, it gives me great pleasure to bestow upon you the Principal’s Medal.