St Andrews: a lifelong love affair

Alumni Relations

Thursday 14 March 2024

Elaine Cartwright (MA 1985) loved St Andrews so much that barely 18 months after graduation, she applied for a job here and retired 37 years later in December 2023. She describes here what it was like to be both a student and an employee of the University, shares her proudest and funniest memories, and explains what she hopes her legacy will be.

Coming to St Andrews

No-one in my immediate family had gone to university and I never intended to go either until one of my teachers told me that I was ‘university material’. This gave me the confidence to consider it. Languages were my favourite subjects at school and several teachers recommended St Andrews as a good place to study them. The Spanish Department in particular had an excellent reputation and, I was told, was small and friendly. I therefore applied to study Spanish and French and was delighted when I was accepted.

At first, I struggled a bit to find my feet amongst language students who had covered far more literature at A level than I had with Sixth Year Studies. I also found my third subjects – Moral Philosophy in first year and Economics in second year – tough. But I persevered and earned merit certificates for my coursework, so I was exempted (as was the case in those days) from the formal end-of-academic-year exams.

In third year, I chose Single Honours Spanish because some of the options that you could only do as a single honours student – such as Latin American Literature – really appealed to me. I also enjoyed the fact that the Spanish classes were small and that everyone knew each other. I will always be grateful to Professor Douglas Gifford for taking me under his wing, and to Professor Ferdy Woodward and Bernard Bentley for all their support.

I am also grateful to special friends who were always there when I needed them, including a friend a year or two above whose room was opposite mine in Fraser and always gave sound advice; the friend from my Spanish class who spent a term abroad with me in Santiago de Compostela in second year and who later left their own revision to come from University Hall to David Russell Hall when I was panicking the night before one of my final exams; and to my medic friend in DRH who escorted me the following morning to Lower College Hall to make sure I made it to the exam. If you are reading this – you know who you are and thank you all!

After I graduated in 1985, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I completed a postgraduate secretarial course with languages back home in Dundee, and then started working there for Tristar Oilfield Services – a startup company. However, I missed St Andrews so much that less than a year into the post I spotted, applied for and got a job in the Principal’s Office as Secretary to the Vice-Principal and Second Secretary to the Principal.

From Secretary to Alumni Relations Manager

I began working at St Andrews in December 1986, less than 18 months after I graduated. Professor Struther Arnott had just been appointed Principal, following the death of Principal Watson earlier in the year. Professor Peter Grinyer, Esmée Fairbairn Professor of Economics, was Vice Principal.

Peter Grinyer was the kindest, most gentle and understanding boss you could wish for. I still remember to this day how he would smile and then chuckle at some of my early attempts to read back my only-recently-learned and unpractised-in-the-real-world shorthand.

I was a bit nervous around Principal Arnott in the early days, thankfully only filling in for Margo Forrester – a very experienced secretary who had worked for the University since 1962 – when she was on leave. Shona Deigman, Jackie Balfour and I learned so much about university administration (and etiquette!) under her watchful eye.

When Professor Grinyer was asked in 1987 to head up the new Department of Management I became Secretary to Professor Augusto Serafini-Fracassini, a Professor of Biochemistry who had previously been the Dean of Science. It was a privilege to work for him until he retired in 1994.

I also enjoyed working for Professor Jim MacCallum and Professor Colin Vincent (both Masters of the United College, but not at the same time!) and for Professor of Modern History John Guy when he was Provost of St Leonard’s College.

In 1997 I was seconded to Development and Shona and I job shared the role of PA to Sue Cunningham the Director of External Relations (now President of CASE) and later Barry Ferguson (now Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships at V&A Dundee).

I became Alumni Relations Officer in 2003 and was later upgraded to become Alumni Relations Manager. During this period Jennifer Dumas and Patrick Degg headed up the Development Unit and were followed by Robert Fleming, the current and longest-serving Director.

I decided to retire in December 2023 because I wanted to spend more time with my husband and family, go on holidays with them and have the time and headspace to pursue interests such as learning Italian, researching my family history and knitting.

Since Development is gearing up for a new Campaign it also seemed like the appropriate time to make way for fresh ideas. I’ve been at St Andrews as a student and very nearly my entire working life so it’s been far from easy to let go, but the connections and friendships I’ve made will always remain and will give me a reason and opportunity to keep in touch. On that note, I was delighted to be invited to attend a recent After Many Days Club lunch as guest of honour with my husband, Dougie, who is also a St Andrews graduate. We have already signed up for Alumni Weekend 2024!

Memories 

There are three memories that make me particularly happy and proud.

In my second year as a student, when I was struggling and feeling disheartened, I was delighted to be awarded the Colmenaros prize for the most conscientious student. It gave me such a confidence boost and helped me carry on. I’m also very proud to have been one of the editors of Chronicle and last but not least, I’ve been so happy to be able to support the launch of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network, which celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity of our alumni around the world.

There are two memories that always make me laugh.

When I was a PA in the Principal’s Office in the 1980s it could sometimes get a bit tense. On one occasion I was trying to lighten the mood by doing an impersonation of Struther Arnott attempting to use the new photocopier. I had my back to the door and was in full flow in front of said photocopier when I noticed Shona’s eyes suddenly widen and her ruler start to tap furiously. I sensed a presence behind me and began a hasty and sheepish retreat back to my desk … That was a particularly close call and we still laugh about it to this day.

Years later, now working in Development, I was helping at a General Council meeting. In my desperation to be helpful I found myself holding open a toilet door for the Chancellor and it was only when he said, “I think I can take it from here, Elaine!”, that I realised I’d gone too far and scuttled off, mortified!

Legacy

From one generation to the next, I am proud that the St Andrews family connection will continue through my daughter, Kim, who now also works at the University in Student Services.

I have been lucky enough to work with a wonderful team over the years – including longstanding members such as Sandra Doherty (who worked with me for 18 years and is now Alumni Relations Coordinator) and Amanda Wares (who retired in 2023 after 13 years). If I have a legacy, then this is a key part of it.

I also think the investment that consecutive Directors have made in Alumni Relations over the years is a recognition of the essential role that it plays in the success of the Development Unit.

Remembering with gratitude and affection the late Professor Douglas Gifford (died 1991), Professor ‘Ferdy’ Woodward (died 2000),  Professor Struther Arnott (died 2013), Professor Jim MacCallum (died 2020), Professor Peter Grinyer (died 2021), Margo Forrester (died 2021) and Professor Augusto Serafini-Fracassini (died 2023).