Winter graduation celebrations

St Andrews has celebrated its first day of winter graduation with students from across the globe, and their friends and families, coming together to mark their academic achievements.

Students from the Schools of Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Earth & Environmental Sciences, English, Geography & Sustainable Development, and International Relations, as well as St Andrews’ School of Medicine and the Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies, received undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at morning and afternoon ceremonies in the town’s Younger Hall. Amongst them were several members of St Andrews staff who have juggled work and family commitments while studying.

This year’s University Medal was awarded to former University archivist Rachel Hart. Rachel had been working as an archivist for 40 years, and at the University of St Andrews for 27 years, when she took early retirement from her post as Head of Archives and Rare Books (Keeper of Manuscripts and Muniments) in Libraries and Museums in August 2023.

There she led a team passionate about the collections in their care. Rachel was particularly keen to bring stories of the history of the University to a wider audience and loved showing University Collections to visitors.

Two PhD students were awarded the Principal’s Medal: Emma Gale from the School of Medicine and Natosha Hoduski from the School of International Relations and the School of Geography & Sustainable Development were recognised for exceptional contributions to the student community and wider society.

In addition, Honorary degrees were conferred upon two outstanding individuals for their contributions: the former Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, Professor Dame Anne Glover, was awarded a Doctor of Science in recognition of her outstanding contributions and leadership in science, while one of the UK’s foremost theorists of race and racism, Professor Paul Gilroy, was awarded a Doctor of Letters in recognition of his contributions to cultural and critical theory, to postcolonial studies and the sociology of race, and to the history of the Black Atlantic.