Principal's Medal 2018: Charlie Maguire
Tuesday 26 June 2018
I should now like to introduce the Principal’s Medal. This award was inaugurated nine years ago with a gift from three anonymous donors and is now supported by Ede and Ravenscroft, believed to be the oldest firm of tailors and robe-makers in the world.
The award of the Principal’s Medal recognises students who display exceptional endeavour and achievement during their time at St Andrews. The awards are open to final-year undergraduates, and to postgraduates in any discipline. The achievements celebrated are academic as well as sporting, musical, or other attainments.
For the academic year 2017-2018, the Principal’s Medal is being presented to three extraordinary students. This afternoon we recognise Charlie Maguire who has just received his Master of Arts in Management and International Relations.
Charlie’s nomination references the intellectual strides he has made since joining St Andrews and the manner in which he has challenged himself to develop. Charlie was placed on the Dean’s List for academic achievement in his third year and made the list again this year. I’m delighted to note he has been awarded a First. Charlie has also broadened his field of study successfully, melding insights from Management with those from International Relations in a manner that has won extensive praise from his tutors. In class, he is a generous peer who encourages others to develop their ideas.
Alongside his academic achievements, Charlie has worked as a Student Ambassador for the University with great heart and skill throughout his time here, becoming Principal Student Ambassador with responsibility for 400 fellow students. As well as introducing potential students to the University, Charlie has supported our engagement with diplomatic, military, and business guests. Charlie has also worked for my Office and I can personally attest to the excellent quality of his work. Indeed I actually first met Charlie right at the start of my time at St Andrews when I was being taken round Fresher’s Fair and he was designated as my bodyguard. I have to tell you that he was completely hopeless at this – because he was so well known and popular that I would find myself looking back for my bodyguard to find Charlie 20 metres behind surrounded by adoring fans. Charlie also contributes to the Arts at St Andrews running the Barron Theatre and directing operations for the On the Rocks Festival, the UK’s largest student-run Arts festival, as well as stage managing a range of successful theatre productions.
Charlie, in recognition of all that you have achieved both academically and personally during your time as an undergraduate, and as you prepare for the next steps in the Civil Service, it gives me very great pleasure to invite you to join me on stage now to receive your medal.
– Principal Sally Mapstone