Graduates celebrate success

Camilla Rekvenyi and Andrea Mariani don traditional headdresses following the graduation ceremony at St Andrews University yesterday. Picture: Kris Miller.

Students from across the globe converged on St Andrews University yesterday for the second day of this summer’s graduation ceremonies.

Distinguished individuals from the worlds of science, art, sport and literature are among those being honoured this week, and yesterday saw honorary degrees conferred upon theatre critic Joyce McMillan and former Samoan head of state His Highness Le Afioga a le Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Tupuola Tufuga Efi.

Ms McMillan was made a Doctor of Letters in recognition of her major contribution to theatre, journalism and social democracy, having been described by playwright, screenwriter and theatre director Zinnie Harris, a professor of English, as a “hugely passionate and dedicated champion” of the arts and social democracy.

Tui Atua was also made a Doctor of Letters in recognition of his major contribution to cultural custodianship and academic scholarship.

Professor Don Patterson, the awardwinning Scottish poet, delivered the morning graduation address in which he presented a jovial and heartfelt message to those students, many of whom are about to step out into a world beyond education for the first time.

“My first piece of advice is that no one ever wants your advice,” he joked.

“Advice is the worst way to give advice. But make it sound like something else, and people will often take it.”

Ending with an emotional message, he added: “In whatever pride we take in our history, or our league table results, whatever our important roles, our clever specialisms, our lofty research projects, never doubt, St Andrews graduates, that you are our best work, and that of which we remain most proud.”

Meanwhile, Professor Anthony Lang, from the School of International Relations, told graduates in the afternoon session their new-found authority comes with responsibility.

“Your responsibility is not to assert your authority in a crass and domineering way; we see this kind of politics far too often,” he said.

“It is to publicly think, deliberate, and advocate for ideas that are based in fact, interpreted through theories, evaluated through standards, and placed in a global context.

“If you can do this in the years to come, I will be proud to say we have given you an authority you deserve and which you can use to make our shared world a better place.”