We are celebrating ten years of recognising your generosity
Published: 29 October 2025
2025 marks ten years of the University’s 1451 Society, celebrating the special commitment of alumni and friends who have chosen to support the University through a planned gift in their Will.
Launched by the then Chancellor Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, in November 2015, those gathered in the Senate Room heard about donors throughout the University’s history who have given legacies, architectural links between the Gilmorehill campus and the Old College and a short update on some ‘new’ developments on campus.
Since then, we have hosted events across the globe - in Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Perth, Manchester, Newcastle, London, Toronto, New York, San Francisco and even one online.
Over the past ten years, 300 supporters like you have given an amazing £30 million in legacy gifts. Gifts that have gone on to have impact across the University from opening access and opportunities for new students, supporting postgraduate study through Scholarships to enable research, and the upkeep of our historic campus and cultural assets. Your gifts make a unique contribution to the University.
Whatever the future holds, your gifts in Wills will continue to play a vital role in building on our history of changing the world to ensure that we can continue to anticipate the needs of the world around us and be at the forefront of change, excellence and innovation.
First published: 29 October 2025
Adapting to change: Some of you may recall our virtual 1451 Society event in 2020, where members were sent a tea bag and shortbread biscuit to share online.