Tree planted in memory of great supporter

The University of St Andrews has paid tribute to one of its most active supporters by planting a tree in his memory.

George McElveen, who died in November last year, helped raise millions of dollars in scholarship funds to bring talented North American students to study in St Andrews with the aim of broadening their life experience.

As founder and president of the Dr Ernest Ransome III Scholarship Trust, Mr McElveen encouraged friends and associates to donate to the University in tribute to his good friend Ernest Ransome.  In the 15 years since it was established the fund has enabled 25 Ransome Scholars to study for a degree at St Andrews.

In a separate initiative to support Scottish students to study at the University of St Andrews, Mr McElveen also funded an endowed scholarship in memory of his mother Ethel Leona Plowden McElveen.

“George was an extremely generous support of the University,” said Louise Taylor, the University’s Director of Donor Relations.  “He truly believed that by encouraging young Americans to come to study at St Andrews, the Ransome Scholarships would give them an opportunity for a first class education and also broaden their outlook on the world.”

“He made many friends in Scotland over the years through his love of golf, and he was renowned at the University for not only being generous but also for being a great character and friend.”

In tribute to Mr McElveen’s love of St Andrews, his family and friends have established a new scholarship fund in his name with the aim of raising $1.6million to endow four new scholarships.  The George McElveen Scholarships will support young people from North and South Carolina, where Mr McElveen was born, raised and lived, to undertake undergraduate study at St Andrews.

The commemorative tree-planting ceremony held recently brought together Mr McElveen’s family, friends and University staff together with past and present scholars who have benefited from Mr McElveen’s generosity.   The tree was planted outside St Salvator’s Hall of Residence.

ENDS

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Ref:  McElveen tree 090408
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