Giving to Glasgow The fundraising magazine for alumni and friends of the University of Glasgow
Issue 22 June 2013
American support to study Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns Two major donations in support of the University’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies have been received by the American Alumni of Glasgow University (AAGU), including a matched gift from The Cola-Cola Foundation. The Centre for Robert Burns Studies was established in 2007 and its mission is the development of research, scholarship and teaching in the area of Robert Burns, his cultural period and related literature. The Susan and Frank Shaw Fund at the centre will be used to foster links with other institutions working in the area of Robert Burns, to encourage Robert Burns studies through publications and events, and support academic and student exchanges both within the UK and globally. The first donation was made by Frank and Susan Shaw, who then facilitated the matched gift from The Coca-Cola Foundation. Robert Burns was the first person ever to appear on a Coca-Cola bottle. In 2005 the Scottish poet featured on approximately one million limited edition bottles.
Frank Shaw, the past president of the St Andrew’s Society of Atlanta, and his wife Susan are enthusiastic supporters of all things Scottish and in particular of the life and works of Robert Burns. Frank is a member of the University’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies Business Board and works closely with codirectors Professor Gerard Carruthers and Dr Kirsteen McCue. Susan, a native Atlantan, retired in 2002 from The Coca-Cola Company as Corporate Secretary after 35 years. Mr and Mrs Shaw feel that the centre, and in particular Professor Carruthers, has become a big part of their lives: ‘We fell in love with the University rather quickly because of the people we met over the years in Columbia, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia and, of course, at the Robert Burns conferences in Glasgow.
‘We were made to feel welcome from the first day we met the centre’s various representatives, and it became apparent to us that Glasgow would become the fifth educational institution we have either endowed or gifted to. We look forward to working together for many years to come.’ Professor Carruthers said, ‘This support means a great deal to us, especially as Frank and Susan are such great friends and have been a key influence on our plans since the centre started. The fund will contribute to some of our exciting events and projects in the coming year.’ • For further information about supporting Glasgow from the US, or about the AAGU and matched giving see www.glasgow.ac.uk/givefromtheUSA.
Left to right: Professor Gerard Carruthers, Mrs Susan Shaw, Mr Frank Shaw and Dr Kirsteen McCue taken at the centre’s annual conference in January 2013.