The Saint
600th birthday funds
Cecelia Uddenfeldt-Wort
The University of St Andrews has launched a fundraising campaign in order to commemorate its 600th birthday.
In preparation for the celebrations, which are to take place between 2011 and 2013, the University has employed ex-banker, Patrick Degg as the new Director of Development responsible for coordinating the upcoming anniversary.
Fundraising efforts have already begun. From the second week of this semester the University launched a telephone campaign to initiate awareness and to encourage donations to help fund the upcoming anniversary celebrations. From now on, 45 students will be selected twice a year to assist the university in raising funds, particularly from alumni and families.
According to Degg, the 600th anniversary will be a chance to create a new groundwork for fundraising at the university. He said that it would also be an opportunity, not only to maintain the excellence in learning already present at the University, but also to help it on its way to further success.
Degg explained that in order for the university to be able to guarantee this level of excellence, fundraising and increasing funds are vital.
He said, This goes back to my motive for being involved in this industry and coming here to St Andrews. Education now is a global industry and if St Andrews University is going to continue to compete and succeed at the highest level, then it needs to have the funds to be able to do that.
Both Mr Degg, as coordinator, and the University on the whole are hoping for the event to be as much a global celebration as a local one.
We have a large amount of international students at the university and it is important to acknowledge this as well.
Although often overlooked by the student body, fundraising plays an important role in ensuring the Universitys development and maintenance. Degg described the three virtual circles that are the vital ingredients when it comes to creating an excellent university. First, to be able to provide high quality education; second, the provision of good facilities such as music and sports; and finally to attract the best students, even if they may not be able to afford to come.
One area in particular which looks set to benefit from the 600th anniversary fundraising campaign is the redevelopment of the main library building. Degg explained, There are facilities such as the library, that the University recognises simply arent operating on the same level as other institutions. There is therefore an urgent need to do something to change this.
Emma Shea, Communications Manager for the 600th Anniversary Campaign Office, expressed excitement about the upcoming celebrations. She said, Many students dont realize, but those graduating after the year of 2011, will be graduating from a 600 year old university, the third oldest in Great Britain.
