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University of Aberdeen Graduation Stories

Honorary graduand: Sir Duncan Rice, Principal Emeritus, University of Aberdeen

Sir Duncan Rice was Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen from 1996 to 2010, a period of transformational change for the institution.

A historian by discipline, Professor Rice gained a first class MA from the University of Aberdeen, and completed his doctorate at the University of Edinburgh before pursuing much of his professional life at Yale and New York Universities. Sir Duncan was a Associate Professor of History at Yale University, and Professor and Dean at Hamilton College in New York State. From the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, as New York University’s Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science, and then University Vice Chancellor, he shaped and enhanced its academic core by the significant expansion of the Arts and Science Faculty and the establishment of a major research presence in the natural sciences. He made a major contribution to the internationalisation of NYU and was instrumental in building the League of World Universities. At NYU, he played a key role in one of the most successful US higher education fund-raising campaigns to date. In 1996 he returned to Aberdeen as Principal and Vice Chancellor. Described as "the quiet revolutionary" of Scottish higher education, he has been a leader in encouraging large-scale systematic fundraising. He led a successful fundraising campaign for £150 million attracted to the University during his tenure. Professor Rice’s public service is reflected in his board memberships, past and present, including the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Scottish Opera/Ballet, and the National Trust for Scotland. Within the education sector, his commitments have included Chairmanship of the Circumpolar Universities’ Association and the UK Socrates-Erasmus Trust. In 2007 his philanthropic leadership was recognised by his appointment as Trustee-at-Large for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and also as Chair of CASE Europe. Professor Rice was knighted for his services to higher education in 2009.

Monday, July 4 at 11am

Sarah Cordiner (21) graduates today with an LLB Law degree, just days ahead of her wedding to her fiancée who she met at the University of Aberdeen and who will also graduates this week.

Sarah, from Aberdeen, met Ben Traynor (22), who graduates on Thursday July 7 at 6.30pm with a Bachelors in Education, on her second day at university and they got engaged last summer.

They met through the Christian Union and had the same group of friends together throughout University.

Sarah also met her future bridesmaid at Crombie Halls when they lived together in first year and Fiona Gibb graduates on Wednesday July 6 with a degree in Psychology.

Sarah said: “It is such an exciting few days for us as we both graduate and get married.”

Sarah and Ben will marry on Friday July 15 at Gilcomstoun South Church before their wedding reception at the Marcliffe.

Ben and her parents will watch her graduate today as she becomes the first in her family to don a cap and gown.

Sarah will enrol in the University’s Diploma in Law in September and Ben will take up his probationary post at Port Errol School in Cruden Bay where he will teach a primary 5/6 class.

Her parents Alan (58) and Elaine Cordiner (55) and future husband will spend the day taking photos together before a meal at the Marcliffe.

Monday, July 4 at 11am

Peterhead man Iain McLean will experience a mix of emotions when he graduates this morning with a law degree.

The 22-year-old lost his sister Cheryl to muscular dystrophy in October during his final year studying for the LLB (Hons) degree. Cheryl (26) had battled the muscle wasting disease for over nine years.

Iain had to make the difficult decision over whether to continue with his studies.

Iain said: “I wasn't sure whether I would be able to go back to University as I have found it very difficult to adjust to life without my only other sibling.

“Cheryl was such an inspiration to me and I was very proud to say that she was my sister. She never complained and was always so positive.

“Cheryl died very suddenly and the shock to come to terms with such a loss is really hard.

“However, I decided to go back and throw myself into my studies. I had to keep going and keep myself going. ”

Iain’s family and friends have been a great support at what has been a very difficult time.

Iain said: “My Mum and Dad have been so supportive to me as well during such a difficult time for them as well.

“All my friends at University and at home have been so good and going back to University has given me something to focus on.

“I would say to anyone who is going through a difficult time while at University to just keep going and appreciate such an amazing opportunity.

“I would like to graduate in memory of my sister as I know she would be very proud of me. I have loved my university experience but I really thought my sister would be here for my graduation.

“I’m sure she would have loved to have been here but I know she will be looking down on us today.”

Iain will start his career with oil company Bibby Offshore as their Graduate Contracts Engineer in September.

Monday, July 4 at 11am

Studying law at the University of Aberdeen has become a family affair for one Stonehaven household.

Scott Birse (24) decided to follow in his mum’s footsteps and to enrol at the University of Aberdeen for an accelerated law degree (LLB).

During his undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen, where he studied politics and international relations in 2009, his mum Mary Birse was simultaneously studying law as a mature student at the university.

Mother and son would gather around the kitchen table to study and discuss complicated legal questions.

As Scott, a former Mackie Academy pupil, spent time with his mother, he became inspired to study law.

He enjoyed finding solutions to her legal queries and that attracted him to the course.

He said: “It is often hard to explain to people the demands of the accelerated course, as you are effectively fitting a three year degree into two years.

“It was really great that my mum had just graduated and could support me through it.”

Scott’s mum, Mary, is now a trainee solicitor and she often advised him on his coursework as well as passing on her books, free of charge of course.

An accelerated law degree is a program which allows a student to study law after gaining an undergraduate degree in a different subject.

Scott’s parents, Mary and David Birse, will be there to watch as he graduates at Elphinstone Hall.

Monday, July 4 at 11am

Best friends from Oldmachar Academy graduate today with degrees in law.

Craig Stephen (21), graduates with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) with options in accountancy and Neale Tosh (21) graduates with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) with options in French.

On top of supporting each other through their studies Craig and Neale will help each other in their roles respectively as President of the University of Aberdeen’s Law Society and the University of Aberdeen’s Mooting Society next year.

Neale said “It was great to have a friend all the way through university who I could bounce ideas off of for coursework and our societies and then go to the pub with afterwards.”

Craig says that despite competing for members after the summer, they won’t become rivals but will remain friends.

Craig and Neale are no strangers to responsibility as they were head boy and senior prefect respectively at Oldmachar academy.

Craig says “It will be quite a momentous occasion. If you had told us when we met at school that we would be graduating with law degrees together I don’t think we would have believed you.”

They plan to attend the Law school’s reception before going for a celebratory pint together.

Both will enrol on the University’s diploma after the summer after Craig has completed his internship in the Edinburgh law firm MacRoberts LLP. Neale has a traineeship lined up with national law firm, Brodies LLP.

Monday, July 4 at 6.30pm

Honorary graduand: Alan J D Amoore CA, Member of Court, University of Aberdeen, & Vice Chairman, Aberdeen Harbour Board

Alan Amoore, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, was in professional practice for over 30 years, latterly with international firm, KPMG. From 1994-99 he was Managing Partner of the firm’s Aberdeen office, with considerable experience of working with and advising commercial organisations, mainly in North-east Scotland. Mr Amoore has served on Aberdeen Harbour Board since 2003 and as its Vice Chairman since 2009. He is also involved with a number of charitable organisations including Save the Children and Voluntary Service Aberdeen. Mr Amoore joined the Court of the University of Aberdeen in 2003.

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