In celebration of the founding of the University of Aberdeen 508 years ago, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Reverend Dr Finlay MacDonald, will be the guest preacher at the University's annual Founder's Day Service on Sunday February 9 at 11am. Members of the public are invited to attend.
The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, the Bishop of Aberdeen and former Chancellor of Scotland who saw a need for more clergy, teachers and doctors to serve the community of the North. With the active support of James IV and the approval of Pope Alexander VI, Bishop Elphinstone created a new university and established a new centre of learning in the town of Old Aberdeen.
Over 60 dignatories, representing the local community, the town council, current academics, students and graduates of the university will join the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the special service at King's College Chapel on Sunday.
Professor C Duncan Rice, University Principal will take part in the Act of Commemoration and recite the names of the seven Founders of the University. The Service will be led by the Reverend Easter Smart, University Chaplain who said: "It is great privilege that the Moderator is able to join us and help commemorate one of the most special events in our University calendar. At this time when Universities are necessarily large corporate environments, the annual Founder's Day celebrations help take us back to the original, passionate vision of Bishop Elphinstone. It was through his faith, inspiration and determination that his vision of establishing a superior European university in the North-east of Scotland came to fruition."
In addition to Reverend MacDonald preaching at the special Founder's Day Service, he will also officiate at Christ's College Chapter Service in King's College Chapel on Friday February 7 at 12 noon. The Moderator will then have the opportunity to meet with current students of Divinity and academic staff in the University Chaplaincy Centre, High Street, Old Aberdeen.
