Ron and Mary Pressman, pictured at a dinner at Highclere Castle to mark the end of the 600th Campaign

Donor Story: Mary and Ron Pressman

Mary Pressman (JYA 1976-77) is Vice President of the University of St Andrews’ American Foundation, and her connections to the town and the institution date back to her father’s time as a student here in the 1930s.

She explains what inspired her family to continue their support for St Andrews through the Making Waves Campaign.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone and Anthony Mason, CBS News

Making Waves Impact Tour in New York and Boston

Last month, the University of St Andrews made waves across the Atlantic as Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Sally Mapstone visited our North American community in Boston and New York.

In Boston, alumni and friends gathered to celebrate the growing momentum of the Making Waves Campaign. In New York, the Principal joined University of St Andrews parent and Special Correspondent for CBS News Anthony Mason for a thoughtful on-stage conversation about the University’s global vision and the lifelong connection shared by our St Andrews community.

You can view photo galleries from both events below.

The St Andrews Chronicles

500-year-old history of Scotland on public display for the first time

The St Andrews Chronicles, one of the most important manuscript histories of Scotland, which sheds new light on William Wallace and the Stone of Destiny, will be on public display for the first time in its 500-year history.  

A special event featuring Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, an early Scots literature scholar, in conversation with Professor Dauvit Broun of the University of Glasgow, and Elizabeth Henderson, Rare Books Librarian in University Collections and Museums, will explore the St Andrews Chronicles, its journey to its current home, and its profound significance for our understanding of Scottish identity, legacy, and nationhood. 

The St Andrews Chronicles will be on display at the Wardlaw Museum between Friday 21 November 2025 and Sunday 7 December 2025. 

Making Waves Lecture Series 

The Making Waves Lecture Series features talks from leading academics from across the University. Details of upcoming lectures are below.

• Thursday 27 November, Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh: St Andrews and Scottish Art

• Tuesday 9 December, Royal Over-Seas League, London: The SETI Post Detection Hub – Preparing science and society for the discovery of extra-terrestrial life with Dr John Elliott, School of Computer Science

• Wednesday 11 February, Royal Over-Seas League, London with Professor Richard Whatmore, School of History – further details to follow

We look forward to welcoming alumni, supporters, and friends to hear more about the big ideas taking shape at St Andrews and the ripples they are creating across society.

All lectures are free to attend. Please register via the link below.

David Forfar, Alison Forfar, and Dr Colin Forfar with the Principal, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, and Professor Deborah Williamson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

University honours paediatric pioneer and war hero

The Principal, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, joined guests for a moment of history in the School of Medicine: the official opening of the newly named Dr John Forfar Clinical Study Room.

The dedication was made by members of the Forfar family and honours Dr John Oldroyd Forfar (MBChB 1941), a pioneering paediatrician, decorated war hero, and St Andrews alumnus whose life embodied courage, compassion, and service.

St Andrews scoops 2025 Green Gown Award

The St Andrews Nature Networks project has won a Green Gown Award in the Nature Positive category. The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges. 

The ambitious, collaborative St Andrews Nature Networks project created, restored, and connected habitat at a landscape scale along 16km of the Fife coastline, from Guardbridge to Kingsbarns.

Saints Golf scholars on the terrace at Rusacks St Andrews

Sponsorship and scholarship success for Saints Sport

Saints Sport has signed a major new partnership with Chanrossa, with the company taking on the role of Official Partner of Saints Football in the 2025-2026 academic year. This marks a significant investment in the University’s football programme.

Rusacks St Andrews has renewed its partnership as an Official Partner of Saints Golf, continuing a collaboration that celebrates the rich heritage, community, and competitive spirit of the game. Eden Mill has also renewed its status as an Official Partner, strengthening a relationship built on shared values of excellence, innovation, and the traditions of St Andrews.

Also this month, five of the University's most talented student athletes have been selected for the 2025–2026 cohort of Winning Students 100, Scotland’s national sport scholarship programme.

Harris Bisset (Rowing), Rosa Thompson (Rowing), Kristina Armstrong (Canoe Sprint), Sophia Isberner (Rowing), and Ellie Monk (Golf) have been recognised for their exceptional achievements in both sport and academia.

Register now for Alumni Carol Services in St Andrews and London

The University of St Andrews Alumni Carol Services in London (Wednesday 10 December) and St Andrews (Monday 15 December) will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity to mix, mingle, and meet fellow St Andrews alumni.

General Council

The next meeting of the General Council of the University of St Andrews will take place on Saturday 29 November at 10.30am in Parliament Hall, South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JU. Tea and coffee will be available from 10am.

General Council members will be sent a link to the billet (meeting paper) before the meeting. Printed copies will be available at the meeting or can be requested in advance from the General Council Office.

To register your attendance, please email generalcouncil@st-andrews.ac.uk with your name, maiden name if applicable, year of graduation, degree, and subject of study.

Future Readiness Summit, UAE 2026

Global leaders and senior decision-makers will convene in Abu Dhabi from 26 to 29 January 2026 for the Future Readiness Summit, hosted by the University of St Andrews Business School Executive Education in partnership with the Future Readiness Academy and ADGM Academy. The high-level programme will focus on practical approaches to developing future readiness, leadership foresight, and strategic agility in a time of geopolitical turbulence.

Register here via Teams to join the free pre-programme webinar, Spotlight on the Future Readiness Summit – UAE 2026, on Monday 8 December 2025 at 12 noon GMT.

Dr Clarissa Melo Czekster, School of Biology

Saints Spotlight: Clarissa Melo Czekster

Dr Clarissa Melo Czekster is a Reader in the School of Biology. She recently received the Young Investigator Award from the American Chemical Society for her work on infectious disease research. 

In this month’s Saints Spotlight, she discusses her work focused on communities of microorganisms known as biofilms and their significance in human chronic infections.

Alumni Stories

Ewan and Karlee on Hallow Hill

Karlee Bowlby (MLitt 2021) was inspired to study at St Andrews after falling in love with Scotland during her year abroad in 2013. Despite online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic, she found a connection with fellow student Ewan Bowlby (PhD 2022). Karlee discusses their whirlwind romance at St Andrews, Ewan’s untimely death in 2022, and the continued impact of his research.

Melissa, pictured with Henderson Loggie’s IT and Finance Partner, Stephen Bain

Melissa Fogwill (MSc 2022) was recently appointed by accountancy firm Henderson Loggie as the company’s first Chief Technology Officer. Despite navigating a global pandemic and personal health struggles during her time at St Andrews, Melissa excelled in her studies. Now an upcoming tech leader, she reflects on the support she received at the University, on becoming a published author, and on her continued work in inclusion.

If you would like to share your Alumni Story, please contact deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Alumni Authors

Global Burns Night 2026: save the date!

Please save the date for our annual Global Burns Night, which will be held online on Thursday 22 January.

This popular event celebrates Scotland’s national poet and Scottish culture through a showcase of music, poetry, traditional dance, food and drink, and academic elements from across the University.

Further details, including registration, will follow. For now, please save the date.

SaintsFunder: Ubuntu Charity Fashion Show 2026

Founded in 2017, Ubuntu is a celebration of Black fashion and art, hosted in St Andrews. The student committee is planning the return of its flagship fashion show, which aims to honour Afro-Caribbean culture in a showcase of culture and creative excellence.

Interior of the new university library, University of St Andrews, ca. 1977

50 years: share your memories of the Main Library 

In 2026, we will celebrate 50 years since the official opening of the Main Library. Did you have a favourite carrell or view when studying? We would love to hear your memories for potential inclusion in a special anniversary feature. 

Email deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk with your stories and recollections, along with any photos you would like to share.

University Shop

Celebrate Black Friday with 15% off at the University of St Andrews Shop! Offer valid from 24 November to 1 December online and from 28 November to 30 November in store. 

Reconnect! 

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for St Andrews in the News, they can do so using the links below:

Alumni: Update your contact information

Parents/guardians of undergraduate students: Register to join the Family Programme