The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Former Lord Advocate
st andrews: Dame Elish Angiolini among figures being recognised
Former Lord Advocate of Scotland the Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini was honoured with a Doctor of Laws at St Andrews University.
As Lord Advocate, Dame Elish was instrumental in changing the way crimes involving vulnerable victims are handled.
She oversaw a review which led to the creation of the National Sexual Crimes Unit, the first of its type in Europe.
And as head of policy at the Crown Office, she helped prepare for devolution and the Scotland Act 1998.
She maintains a connection with St Andrews and serves on the advisory board of the university’s recently created Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research.
Dame Elish received her honorary degree in recognition of her major contribution to legal matters in Scotland and public service.
Acclaimed Iranian playwright and film-maker Professor Bahram Beyzaie was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of his major contribution to Iranian culture and the arts.
And Donald Macleod from BBC Radio 3’s Composer of the Week series was awarded a Doctor of Music.
The university’s director of music, Dr Michael Downes, said: “He has been a crucial figure in the gradual evolution of the role of Radio 3 broadcasters from announcer to presenter, winning the trust of producers and editors who encouraged him to write his own scripts.
“He delivers these with a calm assurance that has made him one of the best-loved voices on radio.”
Also receiving an honorary degree was anthropologist Professor Anthony Cohen, who was made a Doctor of Science.
The third day of graduation ceremonies at St Andrews saw students from the faculty of arts receive their degrees.
Professor Jason König from the School of Classics told graduates: “This is a special day. You should be proud of what you have achieved.
“Most of you will have sat in this same hall nearly four years ago now for your opening ceremony – although without your families then. It is amazing how fast that time goes.
“You are older, certainly. Wiser, maybe. Above all, I hope more confident in your ability to enter into dialogue with the world around you.”
Among those graduating was former MSP and television producer Ted Brocklebank, who achieved an MA (General) with distinction.
A native of St Andrews and former pupil of Madras College, the 74-year-old began his career in journalism as a 17-year-old with DC Thomson and Co before going on to become head of news and current affairs at Grampian TV.