Dr Katharine Whitehorn: Rector 1982–1985
Katharine Whitehorn – the University’s first female Rector – died on 8 January 2021 at the age of 92. Here her three Assessors share their memories of her kindness, wit and intelligence.
Paul Chennell (MA 1983) – Rector’s Assessor 1982–1983
When she was elected Rector, the first thing I wanted to do was to reassure her that she was a popular choice. She arrived feeling concerned that, as she was elected unopposed, she might be unpopular. I hope that she soon felt welcomed and valued by St Andrews students and staff – because she was!
On the day of her Rectorial Drag I was astonished how very carefully she wrote and rewrote a little speech to be made at one stop in the tour of St Andrews – a sure sign of her superb professionalism as a journalist.
Katharine was a superb after-dinner speaker: I heard her several times while she was Rector. One evening I was at a very enjoyable St Andrews dinner with Katharine and I teased her by saying that journalism couldn’t be much of a career. “Nonsense!” she replied, “it’s the best fun you can have with your clothes on!” On another occasion she said, “News is what someone somewhere is trying to hide – the rest is advertising”.
Katharine, I think, never missed a Court meeting – certainly not in the first year of her Rectorship. She was a fair chairperson for Court and did not let anyone get away without clearly stating their case; she let everyone have their say – even after the Court lunch when often the real business was done!
By the time I stood down as Rector’s Assessor I think Katharine was enjoying her time in St Andrews. She certainly came here on a regular basis and was keen to meet students and to help whenever asked.
I am sure many people who were in St Andrews at the time will remember Katharine for her kindness and wise counsel.
Mark Flannagan (MA 1985) – Rector’s Assessor 1983–1984
Katharine was a very kind and patient Rector, especially when faced with someone like me who had never been involved in committee work before and who, to be honest, didn’t really know what an Assessor was for.
Katharine made it clear from the start that she was always available to give advice and share her insights and she always wanted to hear interesting news. Here she was – a busy and successful journalist – giving me – a 20-year-old student – her home phone number and a very clear statement that she was here for me whenever needed. That’s a lesson I have carried over into my own career: being available to others is important.
As a Chair of Court, Katharine was effective in dealing with the academics, while remembering her role was to be there for students. “What is the student view?” was a regular question she would pose.
Privately, she was warm-hearted and generous. I remember my surprise and delight when she sent me two bottles of champagne for my 21st birthday. Needless to say, my housemates were delighted too!
Katharine was always particularly aware that she was elected unopposed. This made her want to make doubly sure that she was an effective Rector and fulfilled the description of the office, rather than neglecting it and taking it for granted. She saw the Rectorship as an honour, rather than as a nice extra in her life.
She was particularly proud when she received an honorary doctorate in the year I graduated – not least because she “loved all things medical”. However, she was at pains on the day to warn me “not to expect (her) to whip (my) appendix out”.
Eurfron Jones (MA 1986) – Rector’s Assessor 1984–1985
Katharine made history by becoming the first female Rector of St Andrews and also the first in the whole of Scotland. She was always warm and generous and made me feel at ease right from our very first conversation on the night of my election, when she commented on how nice it was that her final Assessor was also female.
Katharine was clear that she wanted to spend as much time as possible with students when she visited St Andrews. I had the pleasure of organising many a meal for her in various student digs, all of which helped her to ensure that the student voice was understood and heard at Court.
It was a privilege to be part of her honorary graduation, although I nearly had to miss the ceremony. I had not read “the memo” and arrived at Younger Hall without the required black skirt. The master of ceremonies was all for preventing me from attending, but Katharine came to the rescue! She whipped off her black skirt for me to wear while she received her degree in less than appropriate attire hidden from view by her all-enveloping academic gown. This taught me that, even when it seems that there is no solution, one can be found by thinking laterally!
