Emory Report homepage  

June 25, 2007
B. Jones Scholars reunite to celebrate program’s 30th anniversary

by John Ingersoll

More than 100 Bobby Jones Scholars and others affiliated with the program converged on Emory June 19–22 for the 30th reunion of this unique exchange. Named for Robert T. Jones Jr., the legendary golfer who studied law at Emory in the 1920s, the scholarship is shared by Emory University and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Starting with one student each in 1976–77, the program has now exchanged 244 British and American scholars.

During their stay on the Clairmont Campus, reunion participants attended lectures and tours at Emory, enjoyed a reception at East Lake Golf Club and a luncheon at Atlanta Athletic Club, and closed the week with a black-tie farewell banquet at the Carter Presidential Center. Dwight Andrews, Emory professor of music, ended the festivities by performing “Amazing Grace” on the saxophone, following comments by President Jim Wagner and Stephen Magee, vice principal of the University of St Andrews and a performance by Bobby Jones Scholar Stuart Ambrose ’01C, currently Sir Lancelot on the national tour of the musical “Camelot.”

Wagner has stressed often that the Bobby Jones Scholarship is a jewel in Emory’s crown — a unique program in international friendship that has strengthened the ties between the University and St Andrews to the point where faculty members now regularly visit each other’s departments.

The University of St Andrews was chosen as Emory’s partner partly because the town of St Andrews’ connection with Jones — who won the British Amateur there on his way to the Grand Slam in 1930 — and bestowed upon him the citizenship of the royal borough of St Andrews in 1958. This was the first time in 199 years that an American had been so honored, the last being Benjamin Franklin.

The University of St Andrews mirrors Emory in many ways, as a strong research institution with strengths in the arts and sciences, and housing a divinity school.

Bobby Jones Scholars are among the four most outstanding graduates of each institution and are free to pursue any course of study they wish at their host university. Having already received their baccalaureates, they need not seek a degree but may explore disciplines they did not have time for at home, or they may delve more deeply into their fields of interest.

The reunion featured lectures by Harriet Robinson, research professor and chief of microbiology and immunology at Yerkes National Primate Research Center, a leader in the development of an HIV vaccine; Catherine Lewis ’90C, professor of history at Kennesaw State University and curator of the “Down the Fairway” exhibition on Bobby Jones at Atlanta History Center; Patrick Allitt, professor of American history and author of “I’m the Teacher, You’re the Student”; tours of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, the Math & Science Center, Candler Library and the Quadrangle; and visits to the Georgia Aquarium and the High Museum — as well as a round of golf for devotees of Jones’ celebrated calling.

Several Jones Scholars were featured speakers at various events, including Hamish Taylor ’84B, a St Andrean who earned an MBA on his scholarship at Emory and is now an industry leader in Scotland and winner of the Sheth Distinguished International Alumni Award.

TOP