Issue 10 April 2011 News For friends and alumni living in North America Glasgow joins with Ivy League to boost research ties The University has signed a strategic agreement with ’s Columbia University which will see the development of a range of research collaborations.

Columbia University, a member of the prestigious US Ivy League, signed a memorandum of understanding with Welcome from the Glasgow which will allow academics from both institutions to work closely together International Dean to develop high-impact research themes. The document sealing the collaboration As the International Dean for the was signed at an official ceremony in Americas I am writing to update New York City in October. Professor Anton you on our activities in the region. Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, My role as dean is a challenging one, and Professor Claude Steele, Columbia representing and promoting the whole University Provost, signed the agreement. University across a huge and diverse region. The initial task has been to give Senior staff from both institutions welcomed focus to the University’s activities in the the new partnership, which forms part of Americas. Meeting with representatives Glasgow’s internationalisation strategy. from other universities visiting Glasgow Professor Anton Muscatelli said: ‘The as well as travelling to their institutions University of Glasgow is delighted that this is an important part of the job. memorandum of understanding has been signed. To formalise our existing links with During 2011, I shall be overseeing our one of the USA’s great universities will strategic partnership with Columbia provide first-class opportunities for staff from University as well as building on the many other research and teaching both institutions to collaborate and work The agreement will see the development relationships with our Universitas together. The relationship between Columbia of biomedical research collaborations in the 21 partners. Exchange partners University and the University of Glasgow has first instance. The three themes identified provide unrivalled opportunity for been built up over the past number of years are cardiovascular disease; molecular an international experience for and there are a number of research themes pharmacology and neuroscience and Glasgow students. where we can work closely together.’ genetics of complex traits. The work will Earlier this year I was able to attend ‘I look forward to the relationship between be based on translating research findings alumni events in Boston and two of the top 100 universities in the world into treatments for patients. Washington, DC. I very much enjoyed blossoming in the years to come.’ To mark the signing, a cooperative research the opportunity to see our alumni Professor David Hirsh, Columbia’s former symposium featuring lectures from staff ambassadors in action, promoting Executive Vice President for Research, said: from both universities was held earlier in the Glasgow to prospective students by ‘Columbia is pleased to formalize its day at Columbia University Medical Center. sharing their experiences of living and collaborations with the University of Glasgow In addition, Professor Muscatelli also gave studying in the city. The enormous as we share several common research a lecture. He spoke about the funding enthusiasm for Glasgow was very interests. We believe the mutual cooperation challenges facing universities in the current encouraging and I very much look will advance the scholarly pursuits at both economic climate and compared US forward to meeting more alumni in May at our forthcoming events. of the universities.’ funding models with those in the UK.

Professor David Fearn International Dean for the Americas Since returning to Canada, Dave has High, from the worked as a nurse, taught and developed University programmes and has been Canadian Rockies, an administrator. He has been a plenary speaker on disasters and has developed Canmore, Alberta rural disaster and and pandemic plans. Presently he is the site manager for After many years of nursing on the hospital in Canmore, Alberta. isolated Aboriginal reserves, often hundreds of miles from the nearest For the past three years he has been a Health Delegate for the Canadian Red Cross road, David Bateman (known and has been involved locally with detention as Dave) came to the University monitoring for refugee claimants and of Glasgow in 1994 to pursue a internationally as a nurse, infection control Masters in Public Health. specialist and administrator in disasters after cyclone Gustav and the earthquake Dave and his wife Susie really enjoyed in January 2010. In April of this year he Glasgow, Scotland and University life. is heading back to Haiti to work with the ‘I am not sure which was more challenging Ministry of Health and Haitian Red Cross to though, school, deciphering accents or facilitate a smooth handover of the hospital. being a new father. I remember carting my ‘Since that day when my wife encouraged son to the Barras, the pubs, trivia nights, me to look overseas for schooling, my life hiking up Ben Lomond, and to the Graduate has been ever more fulfilling. Attaining my House for overseas student association MPH has opened doors for me, with the meetings (and a few pints). I remember most rewarding being my work with the a terrible snow storm where my Canadian Canadian Red Cross and truly feeling a driving skills came in handy freeing two part of a humanitarian effort.’ stuck cars, and for once I was the best at snowball throwing. I also remember walking Dave enjoys life in the Canadian Rockies through the campus looking at buildings with his wife Susie and their two sons, older than any in Canada, having stated Dexter (15) who was born at the Queen to the University of Toronto office Mother’s Hospital in Glasgow and Morgan (which was responsible for assessing (13) who was born in Canmore. ‘After two scholastic equivalencies) that there was no generations of my family being in Canada, need to assess my Masters as Glasgow had I have put a little Scottish back into the Dave with two Public Health nurses. On his probably got it right after 500 or so years!’ family heritage, although my sons are not right, Robertee and on his left, Maude. sure why I call them big Jessies’.

New memorial recognises first African American to qualify as a doctor

A memorial was erected at Cypress Hills Cemetery in , New York in September of last year at the unmarked grave of one of Glasgow’s most remarkable graduates.

James McCune Smith was the first African medical schools so he crossed the American to be awarded a university Atlantic and studied at the University of medical degree and practice medicine Glasgow, where there were no barriers in the United States. to education. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1835, a master’s degree in James McCune Smith’s descendants 1836, and his medical degree unveiled a new headstone at the in 1837. ceremony to commemorate his many achievements. Greta Blau, his great- He subsequently practiced medicine great-great-granddaughter, realised in New York for 25 years and was she was descended from him after involved in the anti- and suffrage finding his name inscribed in a family movements, contributing to and editing bible. After some genealogical research abolitionist newspapers and serving as to confirm the family connection, Greta an officer of many organizations for the learned that James’s children passed, improvement of social conditions in the lived and were identified as white in black community. A prolific writer, he society after his death. opposed the American Colonization Society’s plan to repatriate African- James was born in New York City, to Americans and he was active in the parents who were former slaves, and during the civil began his education at the African Free war. James died in 1865 aged 52 shortly School in the city. Racial discrimination before slavery was outlawed in the US barred him from attending any American th with the passage of the 13 Amendment. James McCune Smith’s graduation signature Richard Rockefeller receives Giving form American Alumni of Glasgow University honorary degree Please complete this form and return to: Melvyn Pond, President, AAGU, 198 West Richard Rockefeller, EdM, MD, River St, Milford, CT 06460-3468 Trustee and Chair of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, was made a Doctor Name of Science at a ceremony at the Carlyle Hotel, New York on Tuesday Name at graduation (if different) 26 October 2010. Address (inc zip code)

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Anton Muscatelli conferred the degree upon Dr Rockefeller and Tessa Holyoake, Professor of Experimental Haematology and Email Director of the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, who nominated Dr Phone Rockefeller for the award delivered the oration on the night. The official ceremony Graduation Year was followed by a small celebration dinner at the hotel. Degree and Subject Dr Rockefeller, who is the great-grandson Give online: of the industrialist John D Rockefeller, www.glasgow.ac.uk/alumni/aagu was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous Dr Tessa Holyoake and her extraordinary Please accept my gift to further leukaemia in the year 2000. Thanks to a staff stand out as offering the greatest the mission of American Alumni breakthrough in drug treatment around promise of a medical cure for the leukaemia of Glasgow University. that time he is currently well and off all from which I have suffered.’ treatment. He officially opened the Paul I would like to make a gift in the amount O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre in For 20 years to 2009 Richard was chairman of $... Glasgow in May 2008. Opening the centre, for the United States advisory board of the Dr Rockefeller paid tribute to the staff and international aid group Doctors Without I will give this amount every year for said their work is vital. He said: ‘The Borders and has often gone into the field …. years. leukaemias are among the harshest of with them as an advisor. As Trustee and cancers. Much progress has been made to Chair of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund he I enclose my check payable to date, but a great deal remains to be done. spends his time with a variety of non-profit American Alumni of Glasgow University. I have chosen to support the Paul O’Gorman companies and foundations, with interests Leukaemia Research Centre because ranging from community revitalisation to My company will match my gift; among all the world’s researchers, oceans protection. I will forward the appropriate forms to AAGU.

Signature

Date Forthcoming Events I wish to convey to the Board of Directors Atlanta pub night Toronto Young Alumnus of the of AAGU my hope that consideration will Alumni and friends are invited to join Year Presentation Dinner be given to allocating this contribution to Chris Berry, Professor of Political Theory, Alumni and friends are invited to this on Friday, 20 May from 6.30pm at TAP, dinner event on Saturday, 28 May to 1180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309. celebrate the achievements of I understand that AAGU’s Board of Directors The get-together is an opportunity to meet the 2010 Young Alumnus of the Year retains sole discretion and control over all with fellow alumni and enjoy after work winner, Dr Patrick Gunning (BSc 2001, gifts made to help support its grants to the drinks on the patio. PhD 2005). Dr Gunning is an Assistant University of Glasgow. Professor of Chemistry at the University Chicago drinks and networking evening of Toronto Mississauga, and was The University may not include my name in Join Professor David Fearn, International honoured at the 2010 University its publications in connection with or by Dean for the Americas, on Wednesday, 25 Christmas Dinner in Glasgow for his reason of my gift to AAGU May at Osteria Via Stato, 620 North State exceptional accomplishments in the Street, Chicago, from 6.30 pm for drinks field of cancer research. Thank you for your donation. and small bites. Meet with fellow alumni Acknowledgement of your gift will and friends to socialise and network The Young Alumnus of the Year Award be sent to you. before the Memorial Day holiday weekend! was established in 2001 as part of the University’s 550th celebrations and this Details about this gift will be shared with the University. San Francisco event is an opportunity for our alumni to American Alumni of Glasgow University is a 501(c)(3) Alumni are invited to attend on join and celebrate Patrick’s achievements tax-exempt organization (recognised by the U.S Wednesday, 1 June at Hotel Durant, Internal Revenue Service) which funds grants that on Canadian soil. Berkeley from 6.30pm for networking benefit the University of Glasgow. In compliance with IRS regulations, the Board of Directors of American and drinks. Socialise with alumni from For further information and to reserve your Alumni of Glasgow University maintains complete the local area, the San Francisco Alumni place at any of the above events please discretion over allocation of gifts to the University. Association contacts and Professor David email [email protected] or A copy of its latest annual report may be obtained, Fearn, International Dean for the Americas. visit www.glasgow.ac.uk/alumni/events. upon request, from its Treasurer. If you are giving from Canada, please complete the form opposite.

2011 SPR NA NEWS Giving form Events round up Giving from Canada – tax deductible Atlanta reception and exhibition Please complete this form and return to: 1 The High Museum of Art in Atlanta provided the Development & Alumni Office, wonderful venue for the alumni reception on 2-3 The Square, University of Glasgow, Thursday, 14 October. The event, in conjunction Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK with the National Galleries of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, was a celebration of Name Scotland and the new exhibition Venetian Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Name at graduation (if different) Scotland. Guests were welcomed to the High by Director Michael Shapiro. Tour groups were Address (inc postal code) led by Michael Clarke, Director of the National Galleries and curator of the exhibition, which includes two masterpieces by Titian, Diana 2 and Actaeon, and Diana and Callisto.

Email Burns celebrations in Houston Houston saw at least two major Burns Suppers Phone in January and Glasgow alumni were prominent in both. At the Westside Burns Graduation Year Supper Association event on 22 January Robert Wylie (BSc Hons, Nat Phil 1978) gave Degree and Subject a spirited Address to the Haggis. Houston’s Give online: www.glasgow.ac.uk/givingto Heather & Thistle Association held its Supper glasgow/givenow/canada on 29 January and the Immortal Memory was 3 given by Dr Tony Grogan (MD 1959) from I would like to make a gift to the University Winnipeg, Canada. of Glasgow of $.... Boston Burns night Enclosed is a check made payable 80 guests gathered at the Downtown Harvard to ‘The University of Glasgow’ Club of Boston for this year’s event on Thursday, 10 February. Clark McGinn I will give this amount every year for was on hand to expertly Address the Haggis …. years. which was piped in by Mike MacNintch and Tom Pixton who entertained throughout the Please charge my Visa / Delta / Mastercard / night with Scottish tunes. We were delighted 4 Switch (please note that we cannot accept to welcome back Kirsten Cairns who sang American Express): beautifully and led the group in a rendition Card number of Auld Lang Syne to round off the celebrations. Start date __ / __ Expiry date __ / __ Washington, DC Burns night Issue number (Switch only) __ __ A lively night was enjoyed by all on Saturday, Card security number (on reverse) ______12 February at the beautiful historic home of President James Monroe, the Arts Club of Signature Washington. Alumni, friends and prospective Date students enjoyed Scottish tunes from Becky 1. Atlanta Ross (fiddle), Karin Loya (cello) and Bob 2. Houston. Robert Wylie, Katherine Mitchell (piper). Guests were treated to a Please allocate my gift to support: Boardman (MA 1964), and Helen Mann (MA plentiful supply of steaming haggis, neeps 1967). Photo was taken after all had taken and tatties and before the night was finished, The Medical Fund part in a Dashing White Sergeant! managed to drink the bar dry of its supply 3. Boston Beatson Pebble Appeal of whisky! 4. Washington, DC The Vet Fund SCENE – Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment Data Protection Act 1998 The Chancellor’s Fund Under the codes of the 1998 Data Protection Act, The Scholarships Fund the University of Glasgow will use the information provided by you for University education, social How to contact us and charitable purposes only. I would like information on how Emily Howie, Alumni Manager Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 I may make a bequest to the University Tel: +44 (0)141 330 2668 in my will. The Development & Alumni Office acts in accordance with the terms of the Freedom of Email: [email protected] I would like my gift to remain anonymous. Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Information Emma Sloan, on donations received by the University of International Development Officer Thank you for making a donation. Glasgow is provided in ‘Giving to Glasgow’ and Tel: +44 (0)141 330 2810 Acknowledgment of your gift will other project-specific newsletters. Information is be sent to you. included only on donors who have given us their Email: [email protected] express permission to do so. Development & Alumni Office Please make checks payable to ‘The University Photography by the University of Glasgow 2 – 3 The Square of Glasgow’, not ‘University of Glasgow Trust’. Photographic Unit, Wikipedia and istock. University of Glasgow The University will send you a receipt Glasgow G12 8QQ Scotland, UK for your own tax records. Printed on 50% recycled paper Printed by Mailing & Data Solutions Ltd, Glasgow Web: www.glasgow.ac.uk/alumni © University of Glasgow 2011.

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401 2011 SPR NA NEWS