11 July 2001

First class twins

photo of twins

A student at the University of Dundee will graduate with a clean sweep of first class grades in all her honours courses to be dubbed with the best degree the department of geography has awarded in years - she follows in the footsteps of her twin sister who graduated last year with 1st class honours.

Ingrid Small (23) from Cupar excelled herself over the last four years of study. She has been awarded a prestigious Carnegie scholarship to fund postgraduate work - a mark of very high distinction since only a small number are awarded to students competing from all Scottish Universities. She also picked up the University's Ede and Ravenscroft award in third year as well as first class grades right through her degree. Ingrid has been accepted to begin a 3 year PhD programme in sediment finger printing at the University of Dundee starting in October. Her twin sister Claire also graduated with a first last year and is currently studying for a PhD in Alzheimer's in the psychiatry department.

Professor Alan Werritty, head of the geography department reacted to the news saying: "In my 30 years of teaching in Universities Ingrid Small's first represents one of the best I have ever come across - a view shared by both our external examiners. It is particularly gratifying that Ingrid chose a local University which has been able to bring her undoubted talents to full fruition. We are delighted that she has been awarded a Carnegie scholarship - a credit to herself and to the University - and that she proposes to stay in the department and, like her sister, pursue a PhD at the University of Dundee."

The twin's parents Muriel and Dave will be at the Caird Hall on Thursday 12 July to see the Ingrid join her twin sister as a first class graduate of the University of Dundee. Their brother Graeme who is studying public management at Glasgow Caledonian will also be there to celebrate with his sisters.ENDS

Contact Jenny Marra, Assistant Press Officer 01382 344910