Charity Fundraisers 26/04/2009
 St Andrews' Top Charity Fundraisers St Andrews students' reputation for being top charity fundraisers has been reinforced by the amazing total raised for 2008/9. Will Wright tells me that this amounts to c.£220,000, which he calculates as an average of £36.67 for every full-time student - and Mhairi Jennifer McGaan proudly claims that Rag Week 2009 accounted for 10% of the total. I was delighted to be asked along for the award ceremony in Lower College Hall where individual recognition certificates were awarded by Dr Chris Lusk to Stephen Gamble, Will Elsby, Will Wright, David Haines and Mhairi Jennifer McGaan. Half Cut Film Festival 23/04/2009
 Brilliant night at the Half Cut Film Festival - the New Picture House hosted a red carpeted gala of the best of student films, and I had a front row seat as a judge, along with award making film maker Robert Sproul-Cran and Dovi Anderson and Rich McKain - the Hollywood animators behind films such as WALL-E, and The Matrix Revolutions. Top prize went to St Andrews' finest, Naysun-Alae Carew, of Rogue Productions, the St Andrews University Film-Making Society. Enjoyed the celebrations at McKays afterwards. Thanks to Naysun and to Charlotte Walsh, Katherine KK Kennedy and crew who put together a sparkling event. Rectorial Installation Address 03/03/2009
 Kevin delivered a Rectorial address on the theme of Trust during his installation ceremony on Tuesday 3rd March 2009. Click Read More to read the full address. Rectorial Drag 02/03/2009
 Being dragged out of St Salvators Quad The Rectorial Drag is a unique St Andrews tradition - the Rector accompanied by his Assessor is dragged around the town by the University blues, and I also asked representatives of university societies to join in, so a boisterous procession paraded along North Street, Market Street and South Street, stopping en route in various residences and hostelries to be welcomed by over 50 clubs and societies. There then followed one of the largest torchlit processions from the Quad down along the pier that anyone could remember. I found it a moving sight to stand at the end of pier and watch torches still snaking their way down past the cathedral. Thanks to all for such a brilliant day.  On a tricycle made for one Rectors are expected to enter the Quad in a novel form of transport - my predecessors have arrived on horseback dressed in armour, in vintage sports cars and one even sailed into the harbour. I wanted something which was 'green' and was lucky to find an ancient old ice cream tricycle covered in cob webs owned by the Jannetta of South Street, a St Andrews institution. I thought this was appropriate as my maternal family come from Italy and my grandparents had an ice cream shop in Alloa. The image of me in red apron, flanked by my Assessor Georgina Rannard and Andrew Keenan (Students' Association President) was broadcast by the BBC and carried in national and local press. Being the Rector... so far 01/03/2009
 Kevin talking to a student Life has been enjoyably hectic since being approached to be Rector. Election week was devoted to visiting halls of residence, speaking to student societies; debating with the other candidates on what were the key issues which the Rector could get involved with and hope to make a difference. And really that process has not changed since the resounding success of election night on 31 October. Occupation of Lower College Hall 25/02/2009
 Speaking with students occupying Lower College Hall This past week has been dominated by the occupation Of Lower College Hall by students in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Along with St Andrews the other universities occupied have been SOAS, LSE, Essex, King’s College, Birmingham, Sussex, Warwick, Manchester Met, Oxford, Leeds, Cambridge, Sheffield Hallam, Bradford, Nottingham, Queen Mary’s, Manchester, Strathclyde, Glasgow, Goldsmiths, Edinburgh, UEA, Plymouth, UAL, Cardiff. The St Andrews occupation lasted from 18-25 February and concluded when an action plan was agreed with the University administration. I had the opportunity to address those in occupation on the first day of their action and again on the concluding day. Coming as I do from a background of student activism supporting the cause of students exiled from Chile and South Africa, I have long experience of direct action events (including having blockaded a St Andrews University committee into a meeting room because of what we perceived to be a lack of urgency on the issue of high student failure rates). So too has the Principal, Dr Louise Richardson, who during the week also came down to Lower College Hall and spoke of her anti-apartheid protesting, whilst making clear her view that the University would not take a stance on the conflict in Gaza. Although there were points of friction and frustration during the week as negotiations stalled, my sense is that the action was handled sensibly on both sides. Over 200 students were involved and messages of support came in from people like Noam Chomsky, whilst practical support came from Maisha restaurant who supplied free food! November Graduation 27/11/2008
 Sir Jackie Stewart November's Graduation Ceremony was my first as Rector. By tradition the Rector brings up the rear of the academic procession - preceded by a janitor carrying the Rector's mace - before taking a seat in the front row of the stage. A feature of most ceremonies is the presence of one or more distinguished recipients of an honorary degree. Sir Jackie Stewart spoke powerfully of the dyslexia which has afflicted him and blighted his schooling.  Simon Pepper And I was particularly happy to see my old friend and predecessor as Rector, Simon Pepper, receive his honorary degree for the work he has done with typical enthusiasm and diligence over the past 3 years. Simon and I have known each other for 20 years as he worked for WWF whilst I was with Oxfam and then Friends of the Earth. Here, Simon is with Dr Claire Whitehead, Senate Assessor on the University Court, and Andrew Keenan, Students' Association President. Kevin Dunion takes over as Rector 31/10/2008
 Left to right: James Shield, Kevin Dunion, Georgina Rannard Kevin Dunion has been elected by students to take over the role of Rector at the University of St Andrews. Kevin talks to STAR 24/10/2008
 In advance of the rectorial election on 31st October, Kevin spoke to Fraser McIntosh, Head of News at STAR (St Andrews Radio), in a lengthy interview covering topics as diverse as policy issues, sustainability, Kevin's experiences of football and the SRC, as well as his background with Oxfam and Friends of the Earth. Met up with the speakers for a meal before the Debating Society's US Mid term Election Debate and then to a packed Lower Parliament Hall where as might be expected partisan rhetorical blows were traded, but with nobody landing a knock-out line. Nevertheless the result was an overwhelming victory for the Democrats- not likely to be repeated on election night itself.  Stacey Hilliard, Vice-Chair of republican abroad and Ray Bonner of The New York Times |    About Kevin
Kevin Dunion is the Scottish Information Commissioner and Rector of the University of St Andrews. Click here to find out more. Double-click for larger video ArchivesNovember 2010 Categories |
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