Why I give: Richard Arnholt
When Richard Arnholt (MA Hons 1997) returned to St Andrews in September with fellow trustees of the University of St Andrews American Foundation, it was his first visit to Scotland in more than 25 years. The trip rekindled memories of a university experience that shaped his life and career and reinforced the reasons he and his wife, Katie, choose to support the University today. Here, Richard reflects on what keeps him connected to St Andrews and what motivates him to give back.
The St Andrews experience
There are a few reasons I chose to study at St Andrews. First and foremost, I credit friends from secondary school in the US who attended the University ahead of me for sharing their incredible experiences and piquing my interest. I was also drawn by St Andrews’ outstanding International Relations and Economics programmes, and by the chance to go to university in the UK. My mother is British, and studying in Scotland, at a school with such a long history of academic excellence, was a wonderful opportunity to connect with that side of my background.
I have so many wonderful memories, many of which came flooding back during my recent visit to the town with the University of St Andrews American Foundation – my first trip to Scotland in more than 25 years! We visited familiar places, met with scholars, walked the streets I’d known as a student, and learned about the newest developments at the University, including tours of Eden Campus, and of what will become ‘New College’.
My fondest memories are of the friendships I formed with people from all over the world, many of whom I am still in touch with. I also played lacrosse for Scotland in the 1997 European Championship in Sweden (four of us from the St Andrews team were selected for the national side), learned from outstanding professors, and learned to play golf, something I still enjoy today.
St Andrews has shaped my life and career in so many positive ways. Immediately after graduating, I worked as a research assistant for the Global Organized Crime Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. My international relations and economics studies at St Andrews, together with a recommendation from one of my professors, were key to that opportunity. My St Andrews degree also helped me gain admission to law school. Overall, the international perspective I gained by studying in Scotland has been a great benefit over my career, helping me to navigate cross-border and cross-cultural issues.
A lifelong connection
I have stayed connected, and the older I get, the more connected I feel. I am still in touch with friends from St Andrews across the world, recently had lunch with one of my former professors, and am grateful to have the chance to serve as a trustee on the board of the American Foundation. The University’s Development team has been instrumental in helping to keep the alumni community connected, and I am grateful for the work they do to keep us all informed about developments at St Andrews and for facilitating and hosting events all over the world.
Wonderfully, I have also had the chance to host St Andrews students at my law firm for talks about careers in the legal field during ‘Career Treks’ in Washington, DC. These visits have given me a window into the good work the University is doing to help students connect with potential employers here in the US.
What I really admire about St Andrews is the University’s ability to maintain its sense of history and tradition while advancing research in areas as varied as marine biology, renewable energy, computer science, international relations, and economics.
Investing in future generations
Philanthropy is important to us because we believe deeply in investing in people and educational access. There are many reasons my wife, Katie, and I give to St Andrews, but chief among them is gratitude for the fantastic education I received. We are also inspired by the continued importance of institutions like St Andrews, which educate talented students from across the world and give them valuable, multicultural experiences.
Growing up in Dubai gave me an early appreciation for multicultural communities and the vital importance of bringing different perspectives together. We are grateful to be able to support exceptional institutions like St Andrews so that they can continue to open doors for ambitious students worldwide and shape thoughtful, globally minded leaders who will positively impact our future.
We have chosen to support the University primarily through philanthropic contributions directed toward advancing the University’s strategic priorities, alongside my service on the board of the American Foundation. We hope that our support will help ensure future generations of students have access to the same world-class academic environment, multicultural community, and historic campus life that shaped my own path.
The Making Waves Campaign aims to raise £300 million, and contributing towards that ambitious target is a meaningful way to invest in an institution that has given us all so much as alumni, families and friends.
St Andrews uniquely bridges centuries of tradition with cutting-edge global innovation. By contributing to the Campaign, we are ensuring that the University can continue to attract brilliant minds, maintain and expand its historic home through projects such as ‘New College’ and the Digital Nexus building, and prepare future graduates for the challenges of tomorrow.
Every gift makes a tangible difference in sustaining that legacy, and it is a legacy well worth supporting as St Andrews has, once again, been ranked as the top university in the UK by The Sunday Times Good University Guide!
Find out more about how you can get involved with the Making Waves Campaign.