A gift from the heart for the Making Waves Campaign
Alumna and American Foundation Trustee Helen Hwang (JYA 1987) has continued her relationship with St Andrews through lifelong friendships, family connections and now, a gift of the heart which she hopes will inspire others to give to the University’s Making Waves Campaign.
It was in spring 2021 during a chance conversation with Senior Development Officer Moira Sharkey that Helen recalled her Management Studies notebook for the first time in over 30 years. The School of Management was celebrating the 35th anniversary of the course at St Andrews and was looking for memorabilia for a special exhibition, curated by Professor Tobias Jung.
Helen thoughtfully offered that her notebook – which contains an impeccable and irreplaceable paper record of the typewritten copied syllabus, tabbed handwritten class notes, exam questions and responses, case study year project, and more – could feature in the display. The notebook is a comprehensive record of what was taught to the very first cohort of Management Studies students.
Helen Hwang with Professor Tobias Jung at the School of Management’s 35th anniversary celebration in 2022
Fast-forward 16 months and Helen was reunited with the notebook in autumn 2023 during a visit to St Andrews with the American Foundation.
During that visit, Helen first encountered the University of St Andrews Collections and Museums and, impressed by a display they had put together for the trustees, had an idea. After further consultation with Sean Rippington, Head of Archives and Rare Books, and Sarah Rodriguez, Muniments Archivist, Helen decided to donate her notebook to the University to be held in University Collections for the benefit of generations to come.
Helen with the notebook in Martyrs Kirk, September 2024
The launch of Making Waves: The Campaign for St Andrews in September 2024 was the ideal opportunity to make the gift official. One of the four key projects is the development of ‘New College’ as a home for the University of St Andrews Business School (incorporating the School of Management) and the School of International Relations.
Robert Fleming, Director of Development, with Helen Hwang, outside Martyrs Kirk Research Library
Helen hopes that by sharing her story, she may inspire others to give – in whatever way they can – to support the Making Waves Campaign.
In the short film below, Helen describes the impact her Junior Year Abroad here from 1986-87 had on the rest of her life, and the significance of her gift to St Andrews.
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Helen Hwang’s full Alumni Story was published in August 2019 and can be read here. Our thanks to Helen for making this meaningful gift to the University of St Andrews, and for joining us for the launch of the Making Waves Campaign.
Find out how we’re making waves at St Andrews here: Making Waves Campaign.