Alumni reunion weekend

In the same week as the new Class of 2004 graduates leave St Andrews, over 120 alumni, most of whom are celebrating five and ten- year milestone anniversaries, are preparing to return to their alma mater, together with family and friends.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural reunion, the weekend of reunion activities has been designed to allow alumni to recapture some of the magic of their student days and provide maximum opportunity for the rekindling of old friendships and the making of new ones.

New Hall will accommodate over 100 reunion guests, many of whom will be struck by the excellent quality of modern university accommodation. The events start on Friday evening with a wine tasting led by St Andrews alumna Rose Murray Brown, one of only 250 Masters of Wine worldwide and one of the UK’s leading drinks journalists. On Saturday morning, graduates will have the opportunity to hear at first hand about the University’s recent achievements and future plans when Dr Brian Lang, Principal and Vice- Chancellor, delivers his bi-annual State of the University address at a meeting of the St Andrews General Council. There follows an opportunity to visit old haunts and make new discoveries with a light lunch in what many will remember as the Old Students’ Union Diner on North Street, and is now the refurbished Old Union Coffee Bar, and with an historical walking tour of the town, University led by red-gowned ambassadors.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Reunion Ball on Saturday evening in the Younger Hall with ceilidh band Annasach and a disco by Equinox Events. This will be preceded by a black tie dinner at St Salvator’s Hall and a Beating of the Retreat by Madras College Band.

On Sunday, participants may choose to attend a Service in St Salvator’s Chapel and to take part in the traditional Pier Walk before the Farewell Buffet Lunch in St Salvator’s Hall.

Alumni Relations Officer, Elaine Cartwright, said “Our aim is to ensure that our graduates’ link with the University and with St Andrews does not end at graduation but continues with them throughout their lives. We are therefore delighted that alumni with graduation dates spanning almost 60 years from 1944 to 2003 are joining us from as far afield as the United States, New Zealand, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany, and from as close to home as St Andrews itself!¿

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information – Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530/07730 415 015 press releases/reunion2