Alumni and alumnae, past and present staff, corporate partners, current students, and friends of the Department of Marketing from about 30 countries turned out in force on Saturday, June 11, to celebrate the Department's 40 years of pioneering leadership in marketing education and research.
The Anniversary Dinner and Awards Ceremony was held at the iconic Òran Mór in Glasgow's West End, under the pristine gaze of the stunning murals painted by Alasdair Gray, the famous Glasgow-born writer and artist.
Welcoming guests to the event, Professor Kevin Ibeh, current Head of the Department of Marketing, noted that the evening was an opportunity to celebrate and reconnect with old friends, reflect on the Department's journey so far, and to recommit to the challenge of enhancing the Department's proud heritage and finer traditions over the next forty years and beyond. He saluted the past and present heroes of the Department, including founding Head of Department, Emeritus Professor Michael Baker and his successors, and the Department's exemplary staff, high achieving students and alumni, corporate partners and departed colleagues. The Dean of Strathclyde Business School, Professor Susan Hart, in her brief remarks congratulated the Marketing Department on this significant milestone. She also welcomed guests, particularly those that had flown in from abroad for the occasion and wished the Department every success over the next 40 years.
A major highlight of evening was the Department's recognition of a few of its many deserving members for their significant contributions over the course of the past 40 years. The award recipients include Mr Scott Taylor, CEO of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau who received the Distinguished Alumnus award for a distinguished career since graduation; Dr Jim Hamill who received the Silver award for 25 years' service to the Marketing Department; Emeritus Professor Michael J Baker, who was honoured with the Founder's award in recognition of his founding vision and outstanding leadership. Meritorious Service awards for significant contribution to the Department's mission also went to four recipients, namely Emeritus Professor Susan Shaw, Keith Crosier, Mercedes Douglas and Late Professor Douglas Leathar.
The event was hosted by Professor Eleanor Shaw and donations were collected for two charities, namely Yorkhill's Children Hospital and the Malawi Fund.