Recognising achievement

An award-winning journalist, a D-Day veteran and the Principal of New College at the University’s School of Divinity are just some of the alumni who have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Serving education

David Fergusson, who graduated Bachelor of Divinity in 1980, is a Professor of Divinity and worked for several years as a parish minister in the Church of Scotland. He is the Principal of New College at the School of Divinity.

Having held the Chair of Systematic Theology in the University of Aberdeen, he returned to Edinburgh as Professor of Divinity in 2000. He is a Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland.

He has been recognised with an OBE for services to education, the arts, and the Church of Scotland.

I'm delighted to be honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours. My involvement in the wider sphere of university and church has been an important part of my work at New College over many years. I am greatly indebted to many colleagues who have offered their support and friendship along the way.

Sharing experiences

Melanie Reid is an award-winning Times journalist whose weekly column is about disability and her life as a disabled person.

A graduate in English language and literature (MA 1980), Melanie was a columnist at the Herald in Glasgow and a former associate editor of the Sunday Mail before joining the Times. After a serious riding accident in 2010 left her a tetraplegic, she began writing about her experiences. The column that emerged, 'Spinal Column', won her Columnist of the Year 2011 and broadsheet Columnist of the Year 2012.

Melanie has been recognised with an MBE for services to journalism and to people with disabilities.

Preserving memories

Dr Thomas Renouf, a D-Day veteran who fought with the 51st Highlanders has been recognised with an MBE for services to armed forces veterans.

Called up four days after his 18th birthday, Thomas fought as part of the Normandy Campaign and the Battle of the Rhineland. He was awarded the Military Medal for his role in the Rhine crossing and France’s highest military honour, the Legion d’Honneur for his bravery during the liberation of towns and villages across France.

After the war Dr Renouf returned to Scotland to study physics (BSc 1952), he then trained British Army officers in the Physics Department of the Royal Military College of Sciences before returning to Edinburgh to complete his PhD in 1970.

As Secretary of the 51st Highland Division Veterans' Association he organised regular commemorative ceremonies and was instrumental in establishing a memorial to the 53 fighters of the 51st Highland Division in the French town of La Roche-en-Ardenne.

On June 26, 2016, aged 91, he died peacefully at home, amongst his family.

Full list of honoured alumni

Civil Division List

Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

The Lord Smith of Kelvin CH

Dr hc, Faculty of Social Sciences, 1999, The University of Edinburgh

For public service, particularly in Scotland

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Mr David Ewan Cameron CBE

BSc Science Ordinary, 1969, The University of Edinburgh

Director, Community Land Scotland. For services to Community Land Ownership in Scotland

Dr Brian Andrew Lang CBE

Dr hc 2008; MA Social Anthropology, 1968; PhD Social Sciences, The University of Edinburgh

For services to the Arts, Heritage and Education

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (OBE)

Mr Stuart Condie OBE

1986 MA (French and Linguistics), The University of Edinburgh

Grade 6, Counter-Avoidance, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to the Investigation and Reduction of Fraudulent Tax Avoidance.

Ms Margaret Dawson OBE

1973 MA (History), The University of Edinburgh

Chief Executive and General Secretary, Workers Education Association for Wales (WEA Cymru). For services to Education in Wales.

Mr Colin Dingwall OBE

2000 MA (Politics and Modern History), The University of Edinburgh

Lately Programme Director, Electoral Registration, Cabinet Office. For services to Elections and Major Project Delivery.

Professor David Fergusson OBE

1980 BD (Systematic Theology), The University of Edinburgh

Professor of Divinity and Principal of New College, University of Edinburgh. For services to Education, the Arts and the Church of Scotland.

Dr John Gordon OBE

1965 BSc (Zoology); 1969 PhD, The University of Edinburgh

Honorary Fellow, Scottish Association for Marine Science. For services to Science.

Professor David Hope-Jones OBE

2005 MA (Geography), The University of Edinburgh

Principal Officer, Scottish Malawi Partnership. For services to International Development.

Dr Joanna Twist OBE

1996 MA (Geography); 1997 MSc (Geography), The University of Edinburgh

Chief Executive Officer, Ukie. For services to the Creative Industries.

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Sydney George House MBE

BSc Forestry, 1978, The University of Edinburgh

Lately Conservator of Forests, Perth and Argyll Conservancy, Forestry Commission. For services to Forestry, the Economy and Tourism in Perthshire.

Mr Thomas Walter Karas MBE

BSc Resource Management, 1974, The University of Edinburgh

Lecturer, Forestry and Senior Warden, Scotland’s Rural College (Barony Campus). For services to Rural Education in Scotland

Dr Charlotte Pamela Logue MBE

MBChB, 1973, The University of Edinburgh

Lately General Practitioner and Specialist in Genito-uninary Medicine, Causeway Coast. For services to Medicine

Ms Melanie Reid MBE

MA English Language and Literature, 1980, The University of Edinburgh

Journalist. For services to Journalism and to People with Disabilities.

Dr Thomas Joseph Renouf MBE

BSc Physics; 1952, PhD Physics; 1970, The University of Edinburgh

Secretary, 51st Highland Division Veterans Association. For services to Armed Forces Veterans.

Mr James Bruce Watt MBE

LLB Law, 2004, The University of Edinburgh

Co-Founder, BrewDog. For services to the Brewing Industry.

Mrs Catherine Slessor

MA Social Sciences, 1983, The University of Edinburgh

Lately Editor, The Architectural Review. For services to Architectural Journalism.

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Dr Sharon Hannah BEM

PhD Biochemistry, 1992, The University of Edinburgh

BioQuarter Campus Operations Manager and Business Manager, The University of Edinburgh. For services to Medical Research

John Walker Hunter BEM

MA English, 1956; MA Arts (Ordinary) 1954, The University of Edinburgh

For services to the History and Heritage of Galloway

Mrs Linda Nicholson BEM

MA Psychology, 1982, The University of Edinburgh

For services to Sport in the Scottish Borders

Diplomatic Service and Overseas List

Order of the British Empire and Knight Bachelor (Kt)

Knight Bachelor

Professor Sir Angus Stewart Deaton Kt

2011 Hon DSocSc, The University of Edinburgh

Professor, Princeton University. For services to research in Economics and international affairs