Bright future awaits as sun shines on Class of 2021 graduates

Monday 27 June 2022

The sun shone on the Class of 2021 as the University of St Andrews entered its third week of graduation celebrations (Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 June); this week marking the academic achievements of students who completed their degrees last summer.

Abbie Sim from Glenrothes, who graduated with an MA in English and Film Studies, has been working while taking a year out. She is considering a career in primary school teaching.

Medicine students Qiqi Chua, of Singapore, Hossai Hemat, of Logar in Afghanistan, and Rachel Melomud, from Israel, celebrated getting together in St Andrews again. The trio, who graduated with a BSc Medicine, are continuing their medical studies at the University of Manchester, one of St Andrews’ partner institutions.

Computer Science graduates Joshua Lembong, of Indonesia, Ryan Gibb, from North Berwick, and Adithya Ajith, from UAE/India, were delighted to be reunited in St Andrews. Both Joshua and Adithya are working in software development while Ryan is currently working on a Masters at Cambridge before embarking on a PhD.

Budding broadcast journalist Caitlin Kilpatrick, from Glasgow, was celebrating being awarded an MA (Hons) in International Relations. Since finishing in St Andrews last year, she has embarked on a Masters in journalism at the University of Glasgow and hopes to get work experience in broadcasting.

Instagram fashion design sensation Noemie Jouas said her time at St Andrews set her in good stead for a career in fashion design. Noemie, who graduated with an MA (Hons) in Management, has set up her own company, Noe Dresses. She said the chance to get involved in making costumes for University plays and fashion shows allowed her to embrace her creativity, while a Management degree helped develop her entrepreneurial flair.

Heather Jeffrey of Lauder in the Borders celebrated graduating with an MA (Hons) in French and Italian. Heather is now working in online education.

Olivia Mooney, of County Down, celebrated the completion of her medical degree at St Andrews with her parents. She has two more years of her studies to complete with St Andrews’ partner institution, The Queen Mary University of London, and is currently on placement at St Bartholemew’s Hospital.

Chris Duckworth, of Bournemouth, returned to St Andrews this week to mark the completion of his PhD in Astrophysics. Chris, pictured with his girlfriend Sarah Reeves, is now working in data science and healthcare in Southampton.

Sophie Bickerton of West Sussex said she believed the delay to graduation was even better than the real thing, giving friends a chance to hear about what everyone is doing a year on and enjoying a proper reunion after Covid.

The Computer Sciences graduate, who is now working as a tech graduate engineer for American Express, has spent the last week in St Andrews with her partner, astrophysicist Ted McRobie, who graduated in the Class of 2022. Sophie said one of the highlights of her time in St Andrews had been helping to organise the North Haugh ball with DJ Gok Wan.

The University of St Andrews Class of 2021 celebrating academic success on Monday 27 June 2022.

Class of 2021 graduates were treated to some wise words from legendary Fife singer-songwriter Kenny Anderson who became the most recent Honorary Graduate of the University of St Andrews today (Tuesday 28 June).

St Andrews-born singer-songwriter Kenny Anderson AKA King Creosote had his contribution to music recognised today when he was awarded a Doctor of Music (DMus) by the University of St Andrews.

In his reply to a laureation address given by University Chaplain, Revd Dr Donald MacEwan, in a ceremony held for the Class of 2021 graduates, ‘King Kenny’ told graduating students: “You have all proved that you can use your brains… but maybe, as you go forward into your lives, listen to your hearts, because that’s where the magic lies…”

Returning Computer Science graduate Samantha Chinomona was one of the University’s featured ‘Virtual’ Saints, and featured in a remote photoshoot from her new home in London on the day of her official conferral in 2021.

Arabic and International Relations graduate Claire Pei, who now works in Communications for the United Nations Foundation in New York City, returned to St Andrews this week to mark the completion of her degree.

Claire, who is originally from China, celebrated her degree success with parents Ava and Mike and sister Rebecca, who has travelled from their home in California. She said that since taking up her post she has helped another St Andrews student secure an internship with the UN after the role was advertised in the University Careers Centre.

It was literally love at first sight for St Andrews graduates Stella Coulter, from New York, and Joe Charuy, from London, who met in their first class of first-year and have been together ever since. Stella, who studied International Relations, is now a talent recruiter for a fashion company in New York City, and Joe, who works for investment bankers Merrill Lynch in London, said one of the highlights of their time in St Andrews was working on the FS charity fashion show and modelling in it.

Joe said he believes he was also the youngest student to be selected for the Scottish University’s water polo team. During his time in the town, he also learned to play golf becoming “good enough” to play The Old Course. Looking back on his time in St Andrews, Joe said it was a “truly international ” and “culturally enriching” experience.

Computer science graduate Paul Graham of Glasgow, who is now working as a software engineer for Amazon, marked his academic success with mum Veronica and sister Antonia.

Friends and academic sisters Amenti Winter, of Watford, and Georgina Beeby, from Northamptonshire, enjoyed a reunion in St Andrews as part of the Class of 2021 today. Amenti, who studied Philosophy, and Film Studies student Georgina, who is now undertaking a Masters in Film Studies, have remained close friends.

Tabitha Benton-Evans, who graduated with a First Class Honours degree in French, is now training to be an Opera Director at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Tabitha said she made so many incredible friends during her time in St Andrews and was amazed that so many students who joined the Opera and Gilbert and Sullivan societies have gone on to “follow their passion” for live theatre and music.

Geography and Sustainable Development graduate Serena Aupoix returned to St Andrews this week to celebrate success in achieving First Class Honours and be reunited with one of her favourite supervisors, Dr Rehema White. Serena, who was born in France, wore a traditional recycled silk dress to reflect her Malaysian upbringing. She is now working as a sustainability consultant at an eco retreat in Lanzarote.

The University of St Andrews Class of 2021 celebrating academic success on Tuesday 28 June 2022.

Celebrations to mark the achievements of St Andrews graduates who completed their degrees over the last three years have drawn to a close today (Wednesday 29 June) in the final day of celebrations.

Over the last three weeks, more than 5000 students from across the globe have returned to the town to mark their academic success, including the Classes of 2020 and 2021 who were unable to graduate in person due to the Covid pandemic. Today saw the final ceremonies take place for the Class of 2021.

The sky’s the limit for Fergus and Callum Donnan of Birkhill near Dundee who both graduated today with First Class Honours in Astrophysics. Read more…

Ministry of Defence work colleagues Suzanne Callan and Janice Hayes graduated with an MA (General) after completing an evening degree. Suzanne lives in Leuchars, where she works in the army education service, while Janice, who lives in Letham in Angus, works for the Dundee-based Army Medical Corps, 225 Scottish Medical Regiment.

Staff in the University’s School of Management celebrated the success of their colleague, School administrator Sam (Samantha) Letham, who graduated today with an MA (General) in Combined Studies. After walking in the graduation procession from the Younger Hall, Sam was greeted by colleagues with their ‘well done’ sign being expertly sheltered from the rain by a rainbow of colourful umbrellas.

South African style came to St Andrews this afternoon as BSc (Hons) Maths graduate Spencer Percival enjoyed a return to the town for graduation celebrations. Spencer’s traditional Shona culture outfit came courtesy of his ‘other mum’ Stella who helped bring him up and sent it over to Scotland for his special day.

Describing it as “like having her here”, Spencer said graduating a year later than normal was actually better because there was “none of the post-exam fatigue” and felt his return to St Andrews as “a full alumni” gave him a better sense of perspective on his time at the University. Spencer, who ran to be Student President in 2021, said the highlight of his time in St Andrews was being Senior Student at Mackintosh Hall, where he helped care for students and create a sense of family away from home.