Launch of the Chancellor’s Circle

Over the past ten years nearly £5 million has been contributed to the University of St Andrews in legacies, and from now on that generosity will be recognised while benefactors are still alive.

Alumni and friends of the University of St Andrews, who plan to leave a bequest to Scotland’s first university in their wills, are to have their support recognised by an invitation to join the Chancellor’s Circle.

The Chancellor’s Circle is a society that is being launched to thank people for their planned generosity, and which will guarantee members receive exclusive invitations to special Chancellor’s Circle events.

The first such event was held at The Caledonian Club in London last Thursday (November 4, 2011). The Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell welcomed guests, before Professor Halliwell, Head of School of Classics, delivered a special lecture on the topic ‘St Andrews and Classics: from ancient Athens to modern Scotland’.

For six centuries legacies have made a considerable contribution to the life of the University of St Andrews. The generosity of earlier generations has created an enduring foundation for the success of today’s students. Now the University wants to show its sincere gratitude to those who have had the foresight to consider how they may enrich and protect the wealth of resources that have been entrusted to the University community.

Chancellor Sir Menzies Campbell said:

“Legacies can be used in many ways to promote scholarship, to enhance the fabric of University life, to promote academic excellence and to preserve and protect the considerable heritage of bricks, mortar and scholarly works that are part of the unique treasures of St Andrews.”

As testament to the lasting impact of legacies left to the University, Chris from Dumfries and Galloway said:

“Without the Gordon H Chaplin Scholarship in Physics I would almost certainly be unable to study here. I have never had the same feeling of belonging as I do in St Andrews. The town has a charm and beauty comparable to its excellence for teaching and every day I am thankful to be here.”

Raymond Calcraft MA 1961 commented:

“The excellent talk by the Professor of Classics was a happy reminder of the quality of the lecturing we all enjoyed at St Andrews many years ago, and a confirmation of all the values one associates with the intellectual life of a great university.”

Sally Stow MA 1974 commented:

“I was somewhat apprehensive that I would not know anyone, but that did not matter at all. As I studied Classics with Ancient History at St Andrews I was particularly pleased to hear Stephen Halliwell’s excellent talk and hear the fond words spoken of Kenneth Dover who was my hero back in the 1970s!”

Anyone interested in joining the Chancellor’s Circle should email [email protected] or call 01334 462 030.