The Principal's medal for outstanding endeavour and achievement
October 2009
Background
Gifts and pledges have been made by anonymous donors to fund annual student awards in honour of Principal Louise Richardson. The donors have made a commitment to support the award for five years and have pledged a total of £15,000 between them in total. Gift aid will be received on all these gifts boosting the total by a further £3,750.
The awards
The medal will be awarded to students who display exceptional endeavour and achievement during their time at St Andrews. This is not restricted to any one discipline and could include sporting, musical, academic or other achievements or a combination of some or all of these. Up to three awards will be available each year. Each award will carry a value of £1,000 in addition to a specially produced medal. The medals will be produced by Alexander Kirkwood & Son, an Edinburgh based company who make a number of other medals for the University.
Launch of the awards
The Proctor's Office will issue a statement launching the awards before Christmas 2009. This statement will be sent to final year undergraduate students, postgraduate students, Heads of School, Service Unit Heads, Directors of Teaching and Student Sabbatical Officers. The statement will outline the purpose of the awards and the timing for the nominations process. The Press Office will also be asked to put together a press release about the awards.
Award process
Nominations will be invited each year by the Proctor's Office with a closing date of mid-February (beginning in 2010). Nominations may be made either by the individual concerned or by someone on their behalf. To be eligible for nomination, students must be either in their final year of undergraduate study or be a postgraduate student. Nominators will be required to provide details of the achievement/endeavour as well as a copy of their CV and the names of two independent referees. It is to emphasised that the award will be made only if there is a candidate or candidates of exceptional merit.
Following the closing date, the Proctor's Office will contact the referees for each nomination and request a reference. In mid-March, the selection panel will be sent copies of all nominations and references. It is suggested that selection panel comprise:
- The Principal
- The Deputy Principal
- The Master of United College
- The Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning
- The President of the Students' Association
- Two senior academic members of staff (to be selected by the Principal)
If necessary due to a very high number of nominations (which is unlikely) a screening committee may have to draw up a long list initially.
The selection panel will then meet at the end of March to determine which applicants to interview. Interviews will take place in early April. Meetings will be co-ordinated by the Proctor's Office.
The outcome of the awards will be notified to all nominators by mid-April. The Proctor's Office will arrange the transfer of the prize money to the winners.
Recognition
The winner(s) of the medal (along with their parents and/or partner if appropriate) will be invited to a drinks reception hosted by the Principal at her residence on The Scores. It is suggested this take place the Monday of graduation week in June. In 2010 this would take place on Monday 21 June. The Principal will present each winner's medal at the appropriate graduation ceremony.
The Proctor's Office will provide the necessary details to the Press Office to enable a press release to be issued with details of the winner(s). A 'photo-call' for all winners and the Principal may be arranged to provide suitable photographs for the release.
The winner(s) will be required to write a short report about themselves and to express their thanks for the award. This will be sent to the Development Office to pass on to the donors of the award.