L to r: Dougi McMillan, Director of Creative Industries at Fife College, Abby Cloete, William Garner and Niamh Hogwood are pictured at the College’s Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline.
Fife College Students, Abby Cloete and Niamh Hogwood have been awarded a George Lauder Bursary to study in the USA this summer.
Abby (22), from Inverkeithing, and Niamh (20), from Cardenden, are delighted to have been chosen from dozens of entries to benefit from the once in a lifetime opportunity which will give them a head start in their future studies and career.
This year’s scholarship award was given a special seal of approval from the Great-Great-Grandson of George Lauder, William Garner at the College recently.
William and his family, who live in Virginia and also Washington DC, have visited the College on a number of occasions in the past. William was delighted to recently have lunch with the students and hear all about their plans as they prepare to travel to the USA this summer to study subjects relating to their course.
The Bursary is funded through annual contributions from the descendants of George Lauder and other friends of the College in the USA and administered by the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York.
William Garner: “I am delighted that my trip to Scotland has coincided with the George Lauder Bursary Award – it has been wonderful to meet Abby and Niamh who are both truly deserving. I’m sure they will benefit hugely from their trip to the USA and learning experiences.
“My Great-Great-Grandfather, George Lauder, would be thrilled that a scholarship like this was being awarded in his name in Dunfermline, enabling generations after him to benefit from experiences that will enhance their futures.”
The award of the George Lauder Bursary celebrates the vision of George Lauder, the Uncle of Andrew Carnegie, in promoting the foundation in 1899 of a Further Education College in Dunfermline, now known as Fife College.
HND Jewellery Design & Manufacturing student Abby said: “I’m so grateful to have been awarded the George Lauder Bursary. This is a life changing opportunity for me and one which will kick start the rest of my studies and future career.
"I’m really looking forward to not only getting the chance to learn more about my subject, but also having the opportunity to broaden my horizons and meet new people.”
HND 3D Design with Architecture student Niamh, who graduated last September, said: “I’m really grateful to receive the award."
Niamh, who previously won a student competition to come up with ideas to re-vamp the front of the College’s Kirkcaldy campus, added: I’m looking forward to representing the College and finding find out more about the culture in America and to also learn more about their buildings.”
Lyn Gold, Adam Smith Foundation Co-ordinator at Fife College said: “We are delighted to award the George Lauder Bursary to Abby and Niamh. Throughout a rigorous selection process, they both demonstrated a great commitment for the subject areas that they are currently studying and a real passion to explore and develop this further in the USA.
“I would like to thank the descendants of George Lauder, the other friends of the College based in the USA and the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York for their continued support that allows this once in a lifetime opportunity to be offered to our students.”
The Adam Smith Foundation scholarship programme is supported by Fife College and was created to support students to develop opportunities, open doors and transform lives.
For further details about the Adam Smith Foundation and other scholarships available at Fife College visit our Scholarship pages or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
