Graduation address: Professor Garry Taylor
Thursday 6 December 2018
Vice-Chancellor, ladies and gentlemen.
Congratulations graduates. You did it. Those late nights, those deadlines, those experiments which didn't quite work, that final chapter which suddenly came together – it was all worth it. You are now the proud owner of a degree from one of the world’s best universities. Well done.
I am sure that you would also join me in thanking your families and friends in the hall and those watching across the world on the live streaming, for all the support they have given you. Their pride is palpable. When you meet up with them later, let them know how much they mean to you.
I would also like to thank my colleagues here on the stage who have taught you, supervised you, challenged you and stretched your minds. Being an academic is a privilege: my 95-year- old mother still wonders when I am going to quit college and get a proper job! One of the privileges is the annual renewal of bright, enthusiastic young minds, thirsty for knowledge which challenges us to ensure that we offer the best possible education that is cutting-edge and relevant for a fluid and turbulent world. We are also immensely proud of your achievements.
St Andrews does graduations better than anyone else. I have been here almost 20 years and was at three other universities before. I can guarantee that you will never experience a better graduation anywhere in the world. This is due to many people who work quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes, and who I would like to thank. They are the mace bearers, ushers, the choir, the organist, the gardeners, the cooks, the janitors, cleaners and porters, the Graduation Office staff, Registry, Print and Design and my colleagues in the Principal’s Office, all of whom make these events such a joyful experience.
The last Graduation Address I gave was on the 24th of June 2016, the day after the Brexit referendum. The atmosphere in this hall was one of shock, as we all wondered what on earth Brexit would mean. Here we are, almost two and a half years on, still shocked and wondering what on earth Brexit will mean. We have almost 1,000 students from the EU at this University, many of whom are graduating this week, and our hope is that we can continue to attract European students post-Brexit so that they can continue to add to our wonderful cultural diversity. It is important to note, however, that we are a global university: 45% of our students come from outside the UK; 40% of our academic staff are from outside the UK and two thirds of our research staff are from outside the UK. We have always welcomed the best students and staff from around the world, whatever their origin. Our horizon goes way beyond Berwick-upon-Tweed, the English Channel or the Russian border. Our major concerns post-Brexit relate to student visas, access to European research funding and the mobility of students and staff throughout Europe. We hope that the lobbying of our politicians will resolve these issues in time.
This University will, of course, rise to the challenge, survive and adapt to change as it has done for the last 600 years. It started life when Scotland was an independent nation; it survived the Reformation, which led to the martyrdom of several clerics and ransacking of the Cathedral; it survived the Union of 1707; it will survive Brexit and any future attempt to form an independent Scotland. In addition, the whole higher education system in the UK faces major challenges with possible changes in fee structures, pressure on costs and increased international competition for overseas students. This University will overcome these challenges because it never stands still. Ever to excel is our motto. We will be drawing on our core principles as we transition and adapt to a changing world – indeed, a world that we ourselves are changing and influencing through the ideas and discoveries generated by our own staff and students.
The composer Richard Wagner took on big themes of changing worlds in his operas where he through-composed his music, so each act became one long (often very long) continuous arc of music drama. He is particularly masterful in describing musically the transition from one scene to another where the themes of one scene slowly meld seamlessly into the new scene. He employs leitmotifs or guiding motifs: small musical phrases that represent an object, a person, a situation or an emotion and brilliantly weaves these motifs into a symphonic whole so that the music always adds another dimension to the drama unfolding on stage.
Now, I would like to suggest that you take certain leitmotifs of St Andrews with you as you transition from your time here and adapt to whatever career path lies before you. These leitmotifs will be: an open and enquiring mind; a relentless pursuit of knowledge; an endless curiosity; a rejection of mediocrity; a desire to explore boundaries across subjects; an evidence-based approach to debate and decision making; a compassionate and caring attitude; a respect of the opinions of others; a celebration of diversity; a global vision that is not stifled by national boundaries. Add to these the other memorable leitmotifs of St Andrews: breezy walks along the beach and the pier; bracing dips in the sea; horizontal rain; huge skies; heart-stopping sunrises; and fudge doughnuts…
Weave these leitmotifs into your future career as your life drama unfolds; remember St Andrews by them, and smile. They are the core principles that will serve you well. Seize every opportunity that comes your way and be sure to have fun on the journey.
Now go and celebrate. Well done.
Professor Garry Taylor FRSE
Deputy Principal and Master