09 April 2007

University of Dundee joins tartan parade

The University of Dundee will launch its own tartan this week during the annual Tartan Parade in New York City.

Gordon Craig, Director of Admissions and Student Recruitment at the University, is in the United States this week on a whistle-stop tour of four states with strong Scottish connections. His visit will end in New York City, where the new University tartan will be launched as part of the parade on Saturday April 14th.

The University of Dundee tartan incorporates the colours of the Scottish Saltire, which reflects the historic association with St Andrews University, from 1897 to 1967. The red and gold of the crown of Scotland refers to the name of Queen’s College, bestowed (in 1954) as a mark of royal favour. In 1967, the University of Dundee became an independent university, and the four main colours (red, gold, purple and blue) represent the four colleges of the University.

"On our last visit to the USA we were overwhelmed by the interest in Scotland, and how fashionable and indeed trendy tartan has become," said Gordon.

"With the huge `Dressed to Kilt’ shows now in Los Angeles and New York and its popularity as a fashion garment, it seemed a good idea to register our own tartan and use it to promote the University in America and worldwide. In time we will roll out a variety of garments, including kilts which students could wear at graduation ceremonies, or at one of the many Student Balls held throughout the year."

Gordon, together with Shannon Hersage of the University’s International Office, is on a recruitment tour of four of Dundee’s `Study Abroad’ partner institutions, including private and state Universities in Pittsburgh (the home of Andrew Carnegie), Baltimore (the home of Betsy Ross, who sewed the original stars-and-stripes and whose great uncle was a Scottish minister), New Jersey (whose first Governor, Andrew Hamilton, was a Scot) and the State University of New York (whose Vice Chancellor in 1845 was John Greig from Moffat).

"These are universities who do send Study Abroad students to Dundee, and we want to generate further interest in Dundee from these universities and educate them about Scotland and all the things which Dundee can offer their students," said Gordon.

Gordon will deliver a `Letter to America’ presentation at each of the universities visited, emphasising the long connection between Scotland and the USA and how each has benefited from that close association. He will also highlight the opportunities for American students to visit and study in Scotland today, particularly through Study Abroad or Exchange programmes, or postgraduate study, and launch the University's Caledonian Scholarships at the four Universities, which will be worth £300 to one student at each University to travel to Dundee for a Study Abroad programme in January 2008.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The institutions being visited by the Dundee team are:

10th April Tuesday: Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

11th April Wednesday: Towson University (Towson, Maryland)

12th April Thursday: Rowan University (Glassboro, New Jersey)

13th April Friday: SUNY-New Paltz University (New Paltz, New York)

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk