Today marks the start of #BlackHistoryMonth and we wanted to start it off by telling you a bit about UofG alumnus James McCune Smith - the first African American to be awarded a medical degree anywhere in the world #UofGBHM20
James McCune Smith was born into slavery in 1813 in New York City. Despite being intellectually brilliant, he was denied entry to American universities due to his race. So he came to Scotland to study at the University of Glasgow.
Dr Smith earned three degrees at UofG, returned to New York in 1837 to open his own medical practice and pharmacy (the first African American owned and operated pharmacy in America) and became a leading figure for black civil rights and the abolitionist movement.
The flagship building in our major campus development, the £90m James McCune Smith Learning Hub standing proudly on University Avenue is named in Dr Smith's honour. The building is expected to open early 2021 and you can find out more here 👇 gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/camp…
The naming of the James McCune Smith Learning Hub is one of the resulting recommendations from our major investigation into the University's links to historical slavery, published in 2018. Find out more 👇
"Hearing Dr Smith's story of being born into slavery, then travelling to UofG to pursue education, made me think if he can do that I can do anything!" - @iiiglasgow PhD student Kristyn Carter explains how James McCune Smith inspired her to study at UofG
If you fancy a look around, the @GUSRC took a tour of the James McCune Smith Learning Hub back in Feb 2020 👇
Another way we're continuing Dr Smith's legacy is through the annual James McCune Smith Memorial Lecture. This year the lecture is being delivered by Director of @UCL's Prof Matthew J. Smith on 29th October and you can book a place 👇 gla.ac.uk/events/blackhi…
Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth we'll be showcasing some of the work, research and teaching at UofG relating to black history and highlighting the various events we're holding. Visit our events pages to get involved 👇 gla.ac.uk/events/blackhi…
Dr Smith's legacy is being carried on by our students every day and we offer James McCune Smith scholarships to support new undergraduate students of African-Caribbean descent as they pursue their own world-changing ambitions 🌍
James McCune Smith was - and continues to be through his legacy - a true #UofGWorldChanger
Students in residences: thank for your patience and cooperation. We're doing our best to support you and wanted to provide another quick update here.
Yesterday @scotgov published new guidance around leaving halls of residence to return home, including both short visits and moving on a permanent basis.
Check your inbox for the email or visit this page for guidance in full: gov.scot/publications/c…
As announced yesterday, we'll also be transferring £50 to students in our residence to encourage food deliveries from some of our city's fantastic local shops and restaurants. To claim this, please complete the steps detailed in the email you will have received this afternoon.
THREAD - #COVID19 UPDATE: We know this is a very difficult time for our student community and we wanted to update you with what we're doing to help support you in your student residences: .....
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- For all students in UofG residences (whether you're isolating or not), we will offer a four-week rent rebate, in recognition of the difficult circumstances you are living under.
- We will also credit the accounts of all students in UofG residences with £50 which we 2/8
encourage you to spend on food deliveries from local restaurants and food outlets.
- We will also invite local mobile food outlets to come to residences and will help those who are isolating to access these. 3/8
Students & staff should consider downloading the Protect Scotland Test & Trace app, which allows contact tracers to inform you should you have been in close proximity to anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19: protect.scot
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The health & wellbeing of our staff & students is our top priority. Following the latest government guidelines, we’d like to highlight some of the measures we’re putting in place as we prepare for the new academic year.
We have put in place extra measures on our campus to make sure you can safely return to UofG – and we will issue more guidance available over the coming weeks – so please watch this space!
New students may be wondering what life at UofG is going to be like in this 'new normal' so #TeamUofG are here talk about what to expect from freshers’ week, teaching, accommodation, catering & more.
Welcome to our first digital UofG Knowledge & Public Engagement Celebration Awards! Across the next hour, we will be unveiling our 2020 winners. Good luck to everyone nominated! 🤞🙌🥳 #UofGKEPEAwards
Our first award is for Best Collaboration in Arts & Culture, celebrating our partnerships with the creative industries. Here are the nominees from @UofGArts @DrMattBrennan
Prof John Butt @DunedinConsort
Prof Clare Willsdon @UofGCulture
And the award for Best Collaboration in Arts & Culture goes to….. 🥁...
'#COVID19 put a spanner in our works, we would have had a lovely holiday in Glasgow together'
Many families, like Anoushka's @kapoooorni, travel from all over the world to celebrate graduations with us. We hope to welcome you all to Glasgow soon 🏴