A man who has hooded over 15,000 students as they graduated from St Andrews University was at last honoured himself.
John Jardine, who retired as university bedellus last July, was given the University Medal on the fourth and final day of this year’s graduation ceremonies.
As well as leading the university’s team of janitors, Mr Jardine played a ceremonial role as mace-bearer and was the officer who placed the hoods over the heads of graduates after they were capped by the chancellor or vice-chancellor.
Among the honorary graduates he has hooded are Hillary Clinton, Sir David Attenborough and golfers Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington.
He also proudly carried the 600-year-old St Salvator’s mace down the aisle of Westminster Abbey to mark the university’s 600th anniversary.
In the Younger Hall yesterday, he was presented for his medal by dean of science Professor Alan Dearle in recognition of his “outstanding service”.
Mr Dearle said: “John Jardine is a true St Andrean and epitomises all that is good about this community, both the town and the gown.
“He is missed, loved and respected by all of us that have had the pleasure to work with him.
Mr Jardine, who served for 25 years in the Black Watch rising to the rank of regimental sergeant major, worked at the university for 29 years.
He was made its bedellus in 2007, a role which in addition to its ceremonial duties put him in charge of the day-to-day janitorial network.
Married to Barbara, he is also a member of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council.
The university also bestowed an honorary degree upon Professor Peter Sarnak for his contributions to mathematics.
