Mhairi Black named University of Glasgow Alumnus of Year

MP Mhairi Black graduating in June from the University of Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

Black was elected as MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire West in May’s General Election while still a 20-year-old politics student at the university.

The “Baby of the House”, she is the youngest MP at Westminster since the Great Reform Act in 1832.

Black graduated in June with a first class honours degree in politics and received the award from the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Sir Kenneth Calman, at a special Christmas Dinner at Bute Hall.

She said: “Just a few months ago I was in the same position as every other student, frantically trying to pull together my dissertation and make sure I was ready for my last exam. So to be receiving an award from my very own university is a huge honour and allows me to reflect on just how much my life has changed in the last few months.”

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Anton Muscatelli said: “Mhairi has been a true ambassador for the University of Glasgow, demonstrating huge commitment to her final year studies at the same time as canvassing for election. Students and staff at the University of Glasgow have shown they can change the world – I am certain that Mhairi will make a difference to the lives of others as she strives to combat poverty in her role as an MP. I am also sure that she will be an inspirational role-model for other young people to engage in the democratic process.”

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