The Chancellor of the University, Sir William Fraser, President of the Appeal Fund and Professor Ross Harper, Chairman of the Appeal will host a reception tonight in the magnificent River Room which is part of the Lord Chancellor's residence to raise funds for the Donald Dewar Memorial Chair.

About one hundred guests, many of them graduates, will gather to hear the Lord Chancellor, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Irvine of Lairg, give a welcome speech, followed by The Chancellor.

Over £400,000 has already been raised and it is hoped that this splendid evening will swell the funds even further.

The purpose of the event is two-fold. Firstly, to pay tribute to Donald Dewar and his achievements. As one of a remarkable generation of Glasgow alumni, he was a keen and talented debater, honing his parliamentary skills in the University Union. He is also remembered as a dedicated champion of social justice and the architect of Scottish devolution

Secondly, to introduce the Donald Dewar Chair of Social Justice which will go towards realising his vision of a Scotland "where everyone matters, where together we can build on the commitment to social justice which lies at the heart of political and civic life in Scotland" (Scot Exec 1999).

This is part of a major campaign to raise £1.8m to endow the Chair.

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Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Professor Ross Harper received an honorary degree of Doctor of the University on Commemoration Day on 19 June 2002.

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First published: 3 July 2002