New principal wields birretum for first time

Professor Mapstone confers her first degrees with historic artefact

The newly installed principal at St Andrews University conferred her first degrees on graduates yesterday.

Graduate Matthew Akintunde, from London, was the first to be tapped on the head with the birretum by Sally Mapstone at the Younger Hall.

Mr Akintunde completes his undergraduate studies with a Master of Arts.

Yesterday’s ceremony was the third and final round of winter graduations in St Andrews.

This week saw a married couple receive professorships.

Rebecca Sweetman from the School of Classics was made a professor yesterday, a day after her husband Brad MacKay, of the School of Management, achieved the same.

Vice-principal (International) Dr Anne Mullen said the principal’s first graduation ceremony was a historic occasion.

She said: “Having the authority to grant degrees, and to turn students into lifelong members of our alumni community, is the defining privilege of a principal and vice-chancellor.

“Today Professor Mapstone made history by being the 11th principal and vice-chancellor to wield the St Andrews birretum, and only the second woman to do so in over 600 years.

“We hope the day was made even more memorable for our graduating students by virtue of this special significance.”

The birretum, or graduate’s cap, has been used in graduation ceremonies for centuries.

When the birretum touches the student’s head, the contact marks the exact moment of graduation.

Pictures: Kim Cessford. Clockwise, from above: the graduation parade heads down North Street; Laurie Dobson, Inga Trauthig and Rita Lamberti in St Salvator’s Quad; Anja Ivic and Chiara Koller celebrate; Dr Laura Obermuller, the first student to graduate as a doctor from...