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        <title>Development Trust - Blog</title>
        <description>Blog posts from Development Trust</description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/champion-of-education-david-eastwoods-lasting-gift-to-medical-research/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Champion of Education: David Eastwood's Lasting Gift to Medical Research]]></title>
            <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[During a long and distinguished career, David Eastwood dedicated himself to the education of others. As well as being a former lecturer at the University where countless students benefitted from his wisdom and outstanding skills as an educator, he was also a much-loved head teacher and worked with the newly formed Aberdeen City Council as Assistant Director of Education. When he passed away in 2022, he left a significant gift in his will to the University for medical research, creating impact that extends from individual lives to wider societal wellbeing.
David started his career teaching Physics at Fettes College before&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/aberdeen-through-and-through-meghans-passion-for-creativity-shines-in-her-home-town/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Aberdeen through and through: Meghan's passion for creativity shines in her home town]]></title>
            <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Following in her father&rsquo;s footsteps, Aberdonian Meghan Penny always wanted to study at the University of Aberdeen, and this week her years of hard work come to fruition as she graduates with an MA in English with Creative Writing. Here she tells us about her passion for her subject, her time at the University and how a William Benzie Scholarship has supported her during her studies.
&ldquo;Choosing to study at the University of Aberdeen felt like a natural decision for me. As an Aberdonian, I&rsquo;ve always felt a strong sense of pride in my city and the University. Studying at&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/from-windrush-legacy-to-law-degree-support-from-the-robertson-trust-has-helped-mia-kilduff-along-the-way/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[From Windrush legacy to Law degree: support from The Robertson Trust has helped Mia Kilduff along the way]]></title>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Mia Kilduff&rsquo;s Grandad was a huge motivation behind her decision to study law at university. As a descendant of the Windrush generation, Mia has always been aware of all the unseen efforts and struggles that have allowed her to attend university and graduate on Wednesday 1 July with the degree of Bachelor of Laws with English Law (Honours). Here she tells us more about her inspiration, her time at Aberdeen, and how a Robertson Trust Scholarship has helped her along the way.
&ldquo;I originally applied to the University of Aberdeen based upon it having the best prospects for my course.&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/from-adversity-to-achievement-dianas-determination-ensures-a-bright-future/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[From adversity to achievement: Diana's determination ensures a bright future]]></title>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Following the invasion of her home country of Ukraine, Diana Postavka has made a new life in Scotland while making the most of her time at the University of Aberdeen. Diana&rsquo;s determination and commitment to her studies sees her graduate on Tuesday 30 June with a first-class degree and she has been supported along the way by both a Horn Family Scholarship and an Alistair Findlater Trust Bursary. Here she tells us more of her story.
&ldquo;My name is Diana Postavka, and this year I&rsquo;m graduating from the University of Aberdeen with a first-class degree in Business Management.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m from&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/two-alumni-recognised-with-benefactor-to-the-university-awards/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Two Alumni Recognised with Benefactor to the University Awards]]></title>
            <pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[On Saturday 21 March, Professor Peter Edwards, Principal &amp; Vice-Chancellor, and Clare Livingston, Interim Director of Advancement, were delighted to be part of the Aberdeen University Hong Kong Association&rsquo;s Scottish Evening where two alumni were recognised for their support and personal commitment.
Jean Hamilton and Edward Lam were presented with Benefactor to the University awards which recognise exceptional individuals or organisations that have given significant philanthropic, or long‑standing personal contributions, service, or support to the University.
Jean graduated in 1958 and became one of our most dedicated ambassadors in Hong Kong during the many years she spent there. She was&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/exciting-new-development-in-the-cruickshank-botanic-garden/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Exciting New Development in the Cruickshank Botanic Garden]]></title>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The Cruickshank Botanic Garden has been an important part of the University of Aberdeen&rsquo;s Old Aberdeen campus for over 125 years after being founded in 1898 thanks to a generous gift of land from Miss Anne Cruickshank (1820-1911), in memory of her brother Dr Alexander Cruickshank.
Anne wanted the Garden to help further the study of science and was determined that it should be open and free to enter for everyone. It exists to promote an appreciation of the beauty, diversity and importance of plants, and an understanding of their role in the natural world.
Over the next 70 years,&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/founders-week-2026-celebrating-the-benefactors-who-shape-the-university-of-aberdeen/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Founders' Week 2026: Celebrating the Benefactors Who Shape the University of Aberdeen]]></title>
            <pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The University of Aberdeen concluded this year&rsquo;s Founders&rsquo; Week with its Benefactors&rsquo; Lunch last Friday - a special event honouring individuals and organisations whose generosity and commitment continue to shape the University&rsquo;s future.
Founders&rsquo; Week offers a moment of reflection on the institution&rsquo;s origins in 1495 and on the generations of people whose support has allowed the University to thrive. This year&rsquo;s celebration held additional significance as it marked the first Founders&rsquo; Week under the leadership of the University&rsquo;s new Principal &amp; Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Edwards. The occasion provided an opportunity to recognise those whose belief in the University&rsquo;s mission&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/wartime-bursary-helps-inspire-legacy-gift/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Wartime bursary helps inspire legacy gift]]></title>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[When Robina (Ruby) Cormie enrolled at the University of Aberdeen to study a BSc in Science during World War II, pursuing her passion for Physics and Mathematics, she received a &pound;90 bursary, equivalent to approximately &pound;5,550 today, from the British Government to help with the cost of her studies. She considered herself very fortunate to have received financial support and maintained throughout her life that it had a hugely beneficial impact on her studies and her subsequent distinguished career as a scientist.
While at Aberdeen, Ruby met fellow student, David Tough, who was studying for an MA in Mathematics. David&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/celebrating-dereks-long-association-with-the-university/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Celebrating Derek's Long Association with the University]]></title>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Few people have demonstrated such an impact and commitment to the University of Aberdeen more than Derek Ogston. After first setting foot on campus at 17, he enjoyed a 70-year plus association with the University which, since his death in 2021, is continuing with a gift in his will.
Derek was born in Aberdeen in 1932 to Frederic and Ellen Ogston. Brought up in Aberdeen, along with brother Bill, the family moved to London with his father&rsquo;s work in 1939. He attended King&rsquo;s College School in Wimbledon and decided to board there when the family moved back to Aberdeen. A&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/chloes-fund-supports-elisias-crucial-cystic-fibrosis-research/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Chloe's Fund Supports Elisia's Crucial Cystic Fibrosis Research]]></title>
            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[After losing their daughter Chloe to cystic fibrosis, Professor Tom and Grace Baxter wanted to support research being undertaken at the University of Aberdeen. With the help of Chloe's consultant, Professor Graham Devereux, they established Chloe's Fund in memory of their daughter, and this has enabled the University to recruit PhD students to undertake cystic fibrosis research over a number of years.
Current PhD student Elisia Josiah is working alongside Professor Heather Wilson to explore how CFTR modulators influence the immune response in cells which play a crucial role in fighting off infections in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/the-enduring-impact-of-the-young-family/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[The Enduring Impact of the Young Family]]></title>
            <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The University of Aberdeen is very fortunate to have enjoyed a long association with the Young family whose deep and enduring connection to the University spans generations. Brothers Donald (MBChB) and Ken (MA Physics) and Ken&rsquo;s wife Anne (MA English) all graduated from the University in 1957. Older brother Ian graduated with a BSc Physics in 1954, a PhD in 1958 and was bestowed with an honorary degree in 1992. Their academic achievements continued a family tradition of service and scholarship in Aberdeen as their father, John Young, was a Professor of Pathology at the University and their mother Ruth&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/finding-direction-and-confidence-my-journey-through-geoscience-at-aberdeen/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Finding Direction and Confidence: My Journey Through Geoscience at Aberdeen]]></title>
            <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Fay Vincent had a pretty hectic time in the run up to her graduation earlier this month with a First-Class Honours BSc in Geoscience. While studying during her final semester, she purchased a new house and moved in with her long-term partner, whilst continuing to juggle life as a business owner and parent to her 10-year-old daughter. Here she tells us about her time at the University of Aberdeen and how the School of Geosciences Undergraduate Bursary supported her.
&ldquo;I chose to study Geoscience at the University of Aberdeen, because it offered an excellent range of earth science subjects, as&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/adiens-dream-of-university-supported-by-the-alistair-findlater-aberdeen-aberdeenshire-trust-scholarship/</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/adiens-dream-of-university-supported-by-the-alistair-findlater-aberdeen-aberdeenshire-trust-scholarship/</guid>
            <title><![CDATA[Adien's Dream of University Supported by the Alistair Findlater Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Trust Scholarship]]></title>
            <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[As a young boy growing up close to the University&rsquo;s Old Aberdeen campus and with a passion for history, Adien Gordon never imagined that he would be accepted to study here, assuming his financial background would prevent it. But, following years of determination and the support of the Alistair Findlater Aberdeen &amp; Aberdeenshire Trust Scholarship, Adien graduates on Wednesday 2 July with an MA in History &amp; International Relations and has a bright future ahead of him. Here he tells us more about his story and his time at the University.
&ldquo;As my time at the University of Aberdeen comes&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/marys-legacy-gift-creates-lasting-opportunities-in-scottish-history/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mary's legacy gift creates lasting opportunities in Scottish history]]></title>
            <pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Mary R S Creese lived most of her adult life in the USA but she maintained a passion for Scottish history and, following her death in 2017, left an extremely generous legacy gift to the University for our work in the field of Scottish history.
Born in Orkney in 1935 to Walter (a minister) and Annie (a schoolteacher) Weir, Mary moved to the USA in the late 50s where she married Professor Thomas Creese, a US mathematician, in 1964. They had two daughters, Anna and Catherine. She enjoyed a long and distinguished career in science and later in her career&#8230;]]></description>
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            <link>https://www.abdn.ac.uk/giving/blog/duncans-lifetime-support-continues-with-a-gift-in-his-will/</link>
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            <title><![CDATA[Duncan's Life-time Support Continues with a Gift in his Will]]></title>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Duncan Hopkin was a committed and enthusiastic member of the University of Aberdeen alumni community, attending events both on and off campus over many years and becoming a very generous life-time donor. His death in December 2023 was deeply felt by those who were lucky enough to have enjoyed his company over the years but the gift he left in his will is testament to his generous and kind-hearted spirit.
Born in September 1943 in Birkenhead, Duncan was the eldest of four children to Jim and Mary Hopkin. A move to Aberdeen when he was 10 saw him attending Ashley&#8230;]]></description>
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