A familiar face to all who frequent the Gilmorehill campus, Graeme Kane has been a stalwart champion of the University for decades.
Joining our community 32 years ago as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, Graeme began his career as the ‘Milk Boy’ – carting bottles of milk every morning across campus to the various buildings and departments. Starting the job straight from school quite literally (joining UofG on the Monday morning having finished school on the Friday afternoon), Graeme has since worked in a variety of roles across the campus, covering every nook-and-cranny of practically every University building.
Graeme has close familial roots to the University through his father, Tommy Kane, who was also a much-loved pillar of the University. Tommy worked in the Senate Office as a Court Steward, so commended for his service and well-loved in the community that he received an Honorary Degree in 1999, one of only two non-academics employed by the University to receive this honour.
Above: Tommy Kane (seated middle) surrounded by family including Graeme Kane (far left)
Like his father, Graeme’s role is focused on the Gilbert Scott Building (dubbed ‘The Mothership’), in particular the use of the Bute Hall and the Senatorial offices. There is little that Graeme does not know regarding ‘The Mothership’ and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the building, from its roots in the 19th Century to its current place as the iconic centrepiece of the University campus, makes for a fascinating conversation.
“I have met people from all over the world doing this job: wide-eyed students walking the campus for the first time, proud parents attending graduations."
In his time at the University, Graeme attests that some of the most surreal moments occur when the University plays host to its many wide and varied filming requests. “Standing in the pouring rain in November, listening to McFly perform for the umpteenth time that day, pretending to count down towards the bells as the Pride of Scotland Awards filmed their Hogmanay special, I just thought to myself: there is no other job in the world like this!”
Despite rubbing shoulders with the glitz and glamour of pop stars and Hollywood actors, Graeme says he enjoys speaking to students at the University the most. “I have met people from all over the world doing this job: wide-eyed students walking the campus for the first time, proud parents attending graduations – they’re the people that make this job worthwhile.”`
Over his many years as part of the UofG community, Graeme has seen how vitally important the University’s people are to its ongoing success. “The University is its people. Without them, the University is just a collection of nice buildings and fancy architecture. You or I might not be here in another 571 years, but the University will, and it’s the University’s people that will keep it going!”
Graeme’s warmth and hospitality is clear upon meeting with him, and he is seen by many as the heart of the University and a perfect embodiment of the University values.
Known as ‘The Chief’ to his colleagues, Graeme advocates the close-knit nature of the Facilities team as responsible for its success, and their willingness to go the extra mile and pull together to help wherever is needed. Being an ever-present helping hand to anyone is what sets Graeme and members of his team apart, whether you are a student, an academic, in professional services, or a member of the public. Graeme and his peers are often seen as the ‘glue’ that holds everything together, working every day to keep the University beating and to provide the environment that enables everything else that happens at the University to take place.
As Graeme aptly puts it: “We may not be the ones that will cure cancer, but we will be there to help those who can.”