Double first for husband and wife

Mature students Stuart and Jenny Baker are celebrating this week as they both graduate from the University of St Andrews with first class honours degrees.

Stuart, who already has a degree in French from the University of Swansea, graduated with an MA (Hons) in Philosophy yesterday, while his wife Jenny graduated today (Thursday 21 June) with an MA (Hons) in Art History.

Their son William, who was also a student at St Andrews for part of the time while they were here, graduated with an honours degree in Economics and Social Anthropology in 2003 and is now a pilot in the Royal Navy.

Stuart, a former international IT consultant with a major insurance company and Jenny, a former radiographer with the NHS, took early retirement eight years ago.  Originally from Cheltenham, they moved to Kinaldy, near St Andrews, and decided to embark on the part-time degree course offered by the University.

To celebrate their achievement, Jenny and Stuart are holding a garden party this weekend to thank their family, friends, fellow students and University staff who have supported them during their studies.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Madeleine Steel Charitable Trust; a local charity Jenny is very involved with.  Established several years ago by local couple Dr Judith Steel and her husband, Professor Michael Steel (and Emeritus Professor at St Andrews), the charity was set up in memory of their first grandchild, Madeleine, who was born with a heart abnormality and who sadly died following essential heart surgery.

Greetings cards, designed and made by Dr Judith Steel, will be on sale at the event in aid of the charity, while all proceeds from the sale of ice cream from B. Jannetta’s ice cream cart, generously lent to the Bakers for the occasion, will be donated.

Music on the night meanwhile, will be provided by a jazz band consisting of students and research fellows from the University.

ENDS

Issued by Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]
Ref:  Double first 210607

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