Queen of crime joins St Andrews winter graduation celebrations

Over 1000 students from across the world will gather at the University of St Andrews this December for winter graduations, which will also see three distinguished individuals honoured.

Graduates from 80 different countries including Scotland, China, Nigeria, Germany and the USA, to name just a few, will receive their academic awards in the Younger Hall on Thursday 6 December and Friday 7 December 2018.

Leading figures from the worlds of sport, literature and business will also be honoured by the University during winter graduation.

Queen of crime, Scottish author Val McDermid, will be awarded an honorary degree on Friday 7 December in recognition of her outstanding career as an award-winning writer and broadcaster. Val is perhaps best-known for her Wire in the Blood series, featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, which was adapted for television starring Robson Green.

Others to be honoured include internationally renowned business leader Herbert (Herb) Kohler and Scottish professional golfer and former Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie.

The full list of recipients is as follows:

Thursday 6 December 10.30am Paul Lawrie – The former Open Championship winner is being recognised for his valuable contributions to Scotland as a sporting role model and his unwavering commitment to the development of junior golf.

Thursday 6 December 2pm Herb Kohler – Chairman of the Kohler Company and owner of the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, Herb will be awarded an honorary degree in recognition of his significant contribution to the town and community of St Andrews.

Friday 7 December 2pm Val McDermid – Known as the Queen of Crime, Val has sold over 15 million books to date across the globe and is translated into over 40 languages.

Further information on all December Graduation ceremonies is available on the Graduation webpages.