Father to watch daughter graduate from stage

Published On Thu 25 Jun 2015 by Grant Hill

Proud fathers are not exactly in short supply at the University of Dundee’s Graduation ceremonies but only one will be on the stage with his daughter when she receives her degree tomorrow.

Dr Iain Murray, a Lecturer in the University’s School of Computing, will be part of the traditional academic procession across City Square and onto the Caird Hall stage for the ceremonies on Friday, 26th June. His daughter, Kirsten, will be among those who graduate in Medicine during the afternoon ceremony.

Kirsten (23), a former pupil of Monifieth High School, received her first-class honours intercalated degree in Teaching in Medicine two years ago. Her father graduated from Dundee in Electronics and Microcomputing in 1986 and obtained his PhD from the institution in 1990, meaning that Kirsten’s MBChB Medicine will take the number of degrees that the Murray family have received from the University to four.

The senior Dr Murray said, “I’m very proud of what Kirsten’s achieved and it will be nice to be on stage when she receives her degree. We have a long history with the University so for Kirsten to have received her two degrees from here it takes on extra significance. I’ll be applauding more loudly than the rest of the academic procession and might even try and sneak a photograph in from my seat.”

Kirsten will start work as a junior doctor at Ninewells Hospital in August and hopes to go into general practice after completing her training. In addition to her father, her boyfriend and five other members of the family will be on hand to watch her graduate.

“It’s fantastic that so many people are able to be there for my graduation,” she said. “I decided to take the intercalated option to improve my career prospects but it’s meant six years of hard work so I’m delighted to have finally got to this stage. Despite my dad’s position here I was never tempted to go into computing. I can deal with the basics but struggle beyond that so I think I made the right decision to study medicine.

“It will be nice to have my dad on stage as it's something that not many students have so it is special. But I don't think I'll be looking for him - I'll be looking straight ahead and concentrating on not falling over!”

Kirsten will also receive the School of Medicine's Margaret Fairlie Prize for the best exam performance in obstetrics & gynaecology. The prize will be presented to Kirsten by Professor Gary Mires, Dean of Medical Education, during a ceremony at the Dalhousie Building on Friday. In a further twist, Professor Mires is one of the doctors who delivered Kirsten as a baby.

The University’s Graduation ceremonies take place from Wednesday 24th to Friday 26th June in the Caird Hall in Dundee. Around 3500 students will receive their degrees and diplomas over the course of the week, one of the highlights of the academic calendar.

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