2017 GCUALUMNI Winter The magazine for graduates and friends of Glasgow Caledonian University Murray Rowden Alumnus Murray Rowden talks about his time at GCU and constructing a career in New York - Pages 6-7 Welcome to America A first for GCU in New York - Pages 4-5 Welcome Contents Welcome to the 2017 4 Welcome to America – a first for GCU in New York issue of GCU’s The Big Picture GCU given degree-granting authority in New York State! Alumni Magazine in 6 GCU alumnus constructs a career in New York what has been a Scots artist Gerard M Burns was on campus to exhibit his portraits Murray Rowden discusses his time at GCU and how he is landmark year for of Sir Billy Connolly, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the constructing a career in New York. Glasgow Caledonian University’s Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, alongside University (GCU). In paintings of a host of celebrated Scots. 8 Highlights of the year a groundbreaking An important year for the University at home and abroad. move, GCU is the first 9 Busy times at GCU foreign higher Reunions and events in Glasgow, London and New York. education institution to be granted a charter by New York State 10 STEM formula equals success Board of Regents to become a degree- GCU honorary graduate Anne-Marie Imafidon on how to granting body in the city, and we were encourage girls to study STEM subjects. thrilled to welcome the first 16 students 12 Working with business is like being handcuffed to a through the doors earlier this year. This rocket year also saw the completion of our Heart GCU alumnus Brian Williamson on how serious illness of Campus project that has transformed our encouraged him to speed up rather than slow down. Glasgow campus by providing innovative new student spaces whilst contributing to 14 Honoured by GCU GCU’s sustainability initiatives. In this year’s issue, you can read more Leaders from health, philanthropy, engineering and about these initiatives, as well as exclusive STEM honoured at graduation ceremonies. interviews with honorary graduates Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and Brian 17 Making their mark Williamson. We tell you about how Sir Alex Meet the recipients of GCU's Lifetime Achievement Ferguson CBE and his celebrity friends, Award and Alumnus of the Year. including Walter Smith and John Hartson, 18 Impact in the field managed to raise over £78,000 for the Meet GCU’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Glasgow Caledonian University Foundation. Professor Cam Donaldson. You will also read about the successes that led five of our alumni to become 20 Beyond the joke: how comedy set me free Lifetime Achievement and Alumnus of the Interview with Only an Excuse creator Phil Differ. Year recipients in 2017. 22 Should have gone to Glasgow Caledonian Your University continues to be here for Exclusive interview with founders of Specsavers. you so please do get in touch if we can help. We have created an online platform, GCU 24 Celebrating success Connect, which enables you to connect with Industry recognition at national and international level. former classmates, hire or get hired, mentor 26 Sir Alex Ferguson event changes the lives of students or be mentored and expand your Celebrity golf day raises vital funding. professional network. We also offer a variety of benefits on further study and 28 John really cuts the mustard venue hire, as well as corporate support for We catch up with former Magnusson Award winners. your business via CPD and Knowledge 30 Making a difference Transfer Partnerships. ScottishPower partner with Advanced Higher Hub. We are extremely grateful to our alumni 31 Banking on a brighter future with Santander and friends who share their time and GCU signs new agreement with Santander Universities. expertise helping to inspire our students, be it through guest lectures, placements or 32 Bringing our precious pictures back to life internships. Scottish tech firm breathes life into old photographs. We look forward to working with many 34 Stay Connected with your University more of you in the year ahead. Data protection law is changing, opt in to keep in touch. Jillian Watt Written and designed by: Glasgow Caledonian University. Printed by: Sterling. Director, Glasgow Caledonian University Photography by: Peter Devlin, Malcolm Cochrane. © Glasgow Caledonian University 2017. Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Scotland, United Foundation, Alumni Engagement and Events Kingdom. +44 (0)141 331 3000 www.gcu.ac.uk [email protected] 02 03 INTERNATIONAL Sir Alex Ferguson shares his The talk was moderated by Sir lessons in leadership at GCNYC Michael Moritz KBE, a high-profile Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Honorary philanthropist, venture capitalist, and Welcome to America Graduate and Founding Donor to the author who teamed up with Sir Alex to Glasgow Caledonian University write the book: Leading: Learning from Foundation visited Glasgow Caledonian Life and My Time at Manchester New York College at a landmark stage United. of its development. Sir Alex said: "I am a committed - a first for GCU in During his visit he took time out to supporter of Glasgow Caledonian, deliver a Masterclass in leadership. a vibrant university which does Widely regarded as one of the most important research and changes the successful managers of all time, Sir Alex course of many young people's lives. explored the theme of leadership It is a huge pleasure to see the The MoMA’s new exhibition. New York indicating the links between effective University take a step forward with the leadership and long-term, launch of Glasgow Caledonian New Fair Fashion Center features In a groundbreaking move, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has been awarded a charter transformational success. York College.” in MoMA exhibition by New York State Board of Regents to become a degree-granting body in New York – the first The research of Glasgow foreign higher education institution to achieve this. Caledonian’s Fair Fashion Center (FFC) is a capping focal point of The Museum of Modern Art’s new exhibition, Items: Is Fashion Modern? n New York, a city renowned for its M.S. International Fashion Marketing developing economies, microfinance is The exhibit features 111 items of global role in business and fashion, Sharpen your profile in the fashion now expanding to the US and UK. I clothing and accessories that have been research indicated industry demand for industry by becoming an expert in instrumental in the 20th and 21st the University’s portfolio of research- 'profitable sustainability', and learn how Commenting on this historical centuries, continuing to hold currency based Masters-programmes in these successful global fashion marketing achievement, Principal and Vice- today. The FFC’s process, known as subjects with a core focus on relies upon the right answers to Chancellor Professor Pamela The Quantum Redesign of Fashion, sustainability and ethical business. questions of environmental and Gillies CBE FRSE said: has been interpreted through the lens Following the landmark decision in social impact. “Glasgow Caledonian of the pieces in the exhibit, forming June 2017, recruitment began to the University is a special place. research data that was visualized by inaugural Masters degree in M.S. Risk Management We are a forward-looking, acclaimed information designer Giorgia International Fashion Marketing and, Become a highly competitive candidate socially entrepreneurial and Lupi. Ms. Lupi beautifully translated despite the tight turnaround, Glasgow for opportunities in NYC and across the truly international University. the information into an aesthetically Caledonian New York College (GCNYC) world. Launch or advance your career in I am absolutely thrilled that compelling mural visualization staff found a very healthy demand for risk management, risk analysis, risk we now have the design, extending over three walls. the programme and were thrilled to coordination, insurance and business opportunity to build The exhibition will be open to the welcome the first cohort of 16 students continuity management. upon our new research and public October 1, 2017 through to the programme in September 2017. business relationships in January 28, 2018. Recruitment has already begun for M.S. Social Business and Microfinance New York to deliver our “We are thrilled to be a part of the 2018 intake which will include a With a Masters in Social Business and unique programmes, such an important exhibition and further two new Masters programmes Microfinance you can be a part of real which focus on fair conversation,” said GCNYC Vice that can be completed in 12 months social change. Already a proven model fashion, fair finance Pictured: Professor Pamela Gillies, Sir Alex Ferguson and Cara Smyth. President and Fair Fashion Center (full-time) or 24 months (part-time): for helping people out of poverty in and sustainability.” Founder Cara Smyth. “We are so grateful to MoMA for offering a venue and space to celebrate fashion’s history GCU alumni are eligible for a 10% discount on all programmes at GCNYC. as well as the innovation of its future, including a shift in focus toward sustainability. Fashion is a microcosm of many industries, with vast links that span all the way from agriculture to the consumer. Correcting and healing the fashion industry will ultimately cure more than just its own impacts—it will provide a model for every industry to become a respectful and regenerative eco-system.” 04 05 ALUMNI FEATURE And finally, we have a small Executive Looking back, what advice would offered me the mix of classroom and Board all of whom live and are based in you give your 18-year-old self? work experience. What I have the UK. We felt it was time for a I sought out guidance on what I should subsequently realised is that the course member of the Executive Board to be study and where I should study.