5 MINUTES WITH A BENEFACTOR STUART NIVEN STUART NIVEN (FR 1984) HAS REMAINED INVOLVED WITH THE COLLEGE THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE: HE HAS BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI SOCIETY, A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL (TWICE), A MEMBER OF THE FOUNDATION BOM, AND CURRENTLY CHAIRS THE MAJOR WORKS COMMITTEE. HE REGULARLY DONATES TO THE ANNUAL GIVING APPEAL AND HAS ALSO INDICATED HE WILL BE LEAVING A BEQUEST TO THE COLLEGE.
What made you choose to live at St Andrew’s rather than anywhere else at the time?
Philanthropy Report 2021
Simply put, the (then) Bird, Dr Hugh Cairns. He was a charming and interesting man who managed to make me, and many others feel welcome, and I give thanks every day that he saved me from going to St Paul’s.
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What is the best thing you remember about your time at College as a student? Times spent at the card table, and on the front steps. There were always interesting and funny people to talk to, from a wide range of faculties and backgrounds. College was quite different when you were a student. What are the main changes that stand out to you today? Obviously, co-residence is a huge change. On the flip side, I think we had more government school students back in the 1980s and that mix was fabulous. However, speaking to current students, I don’t actually think College is that different,
it is still a place of great fun and fellowship. You have a long connection with the College, Stuart! You were President of the Alumni Society from 2001 – 2007 and recently returned to the St Andrew’s College Council, having previously held a position from 2007 – 2016. You have also sat on the Foundation Board of Management. What motivates you to keep up your connection with St Andrew’s? I had a fantastic time whilst I was at St Andrew’s, and I am very grateful for that (thanks again Hugh). I think St Andrew’s is very different from the other Colleges and that needs to be protected and improved upon. I want the current students to have at least as much fun as we did in the mid1980s. You studied a Bachelor of Arts at university, and then a Diploma of Law. What made you decide to pursue a career in law? I would like to say something noble, but the truth is - nepotism. My father was a
lawyer, and I could think of nothing else. I always knew I could get a job with him. Do you have any advice for students looking to work in law? Regional and suburban legal practices have an unfair reputation, but in my view, you will get far more satisfaction from helping a little old lady with her legal issues that you will ever get from helping a multinational corporation. In your opinion, what is the most important work that the College does? I think the fact that at St Andrew’s we have real student based leadership is very important. The chance for every student to get involved, serve on a subcommittee and learn from their mistakes in a safe and supportive place is unmatched. What contribution or achievement in relation to the College are you most proud of? Being on the Major Works Committee of the College Council when the Harper Masterplan was formulated and approved
