Army medic awarded Fife Provost’s Prize

A Dundee HM Revenue & Customs worker who graduated from the University of St Andrews this year, has been awarded the Fife Council Provost’s Prize for 2008. The annual prize is awarded to an outstanding student on the University’s Part-Time Evening Degree Programme .

Dave Rennie, who lives in Broughty Ferry, Dundee with wife Fiona and son Adam, studied Computer Science, Psychology, History and Biology at classes in the evenings and in his spare time for several years before finally graduating with a Master of Arts Degree (General) in June.

The Provost’s Prize, in its eighth year, is granted to those who have persevered and flourished in their degree course, often in spite of challenging circumstances.

The part-time degree programme offers the flexibility that people, such as Dave, with family and work commitments need to allow them to study while maintaining a ‘normal’ life at the same time.

This flexibility was put to the test in 2003 when he had to put his studies on hold as he was called up as a medic in the Territorial Army to serve with the NATO Stabilisation Force in Bosnia, as the country recovered from the war in the former Yugoslavia. He is a member of the 2nd (City of Dundee) Signal Squadron.

Dave commented, “The teaching at St Andrews is second to none and the staff do everything they can to help Evening Degree students cope with the demands of the course alongside all the usual domestic and work commitments. I would recommend it to anyone.

“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me through the course, especially my family and Nicky Haxell, the Evening Degree Co-ordinator. It’s great to have been awarded the Provost’s Prize. It’s a good way of encouraging people to take advantage of the wider access opportunities on offer at St Andrews.”

Dave was presented with his award at a reception in St Andrews.  Commenting on the award, Evening Degree Co-ordinator Nicky Haxell said, “All on the Evening Degree are extremely proud of Dave and what he has achieved over the years, in combining academic study with full-time work, family commitments and then his tour of duty in Bosnia in the middle of his degree. When he came to the presentation in his military uniform, it really brought home to us the extent of his achievements.”

The Evening Degree programme is aimed at adults over the age of 21, and a General MA degree can be obtained within three to nine years, depending on prior qualifications and whether the student prefers to study one or two sessions a week.  Each year approximately forty students are admitted to the degree programme.

For further information on the Evening Degree Programme contact Nicky Haxell, University of St Andrews, telephone 01334 462203 or email:  [email protected]

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:-

DAVE RENNIE IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ON 01382 730583, e-mail: [email protected]

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:-

IMAGES OF DAVE RECEIVING HIS AWARD FROM THE PROVOST OF FIFE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Fiona Armstrong, Press Officer on 01334 462530 / 462529, Mobile: 07730 415 015 or Email: [email protected]
Ref:  Provost Prize 23/09/08
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