Lord George Robertson: "I was always a rebel"

It's not often that a student – and a self-confessed rebellious one at that – becomes the Chancellor of their alma mater. But for Lord George Robertson, the journey from status-quo-challenging undergraduate to the highest role in the University is one that reflects his life of service to others, and drive to stand up for what he believes is right.

A rebel from the start  

Lord Robertson had a streak of determination that saw him standing up for himself and his beliefs from early on in his university career.

“I was kicking against the system from the beginning," he says. "I came through to Dundee with my father, determined not to be going into a hall of residence, which I thought was far too regimented."

That attitude was one that guided him throughout his university life. From student protester to contributing to the student paper Annasach, and also campaigning for students to choose Dundee over St Andrews for their degree, it's a wonder he had time to complete his own degree.

“My graduation was characterised by huge relief," he admits. "I had done so little work and lost an election a few weeks before the final exam so didn’t think I was going to get a degree at all. It was a remarkable achievement for me and a real family affair – my parents, brother and sister came to celebrate. They were all very proud of me. It really was a grand occasion.” 

Choosing the new University of Dundee

At the time of his graduation, Lord Robertson became one of the first to graduate with a University of Dundee degree. At the time, Dundee was in the midst of a split from the University of St Andrews. A fledgling university, Dundee was looking to shed its connection to St Andrews, and find its own identity as a modern institution.

"I’ve always been very partisan about the split from St Andrews and campaigned against St Andrews as it was very right-wing at the time," he says. "When I knew I had a choice I had no doubts whatsoever about taking a Dundee degree and giving the university a good start during a time when it was difficult to be a new university."

Meeting the University's first Chancellor

During his tenure as a student, the University's first Chancellor was HM The Queen Mother – a nod to the University's previous College status as Queen's College, University of St Andrews.

Lord Robertson – who you might expect at that time to have been particularly anti-establishment – reveals that the royal managed to charm even the most political of students.

“Students were particularly rebellious at the time," he says. "A group attending the Scottish Labour Party conference refused to stand for a standing ovation for Prime Minister Harold Wilson. 

"There was a genuine radical view... but I think people recognised that having the Queen Mother as the first Chancellor was a really good start for the University. 

"All the rebels stood in line and were charming to her as she was charming to us as well. It was an amazing transformation of the people who had been incredibly radical up until then to be charmed by this senior member of the royal family.”

From challenger student to Chancellor

Lord Robertson reflects on the moment that he gained his degree officially - being doffed by the Dundee Bonnet, an act which he now performs for thousands of students every year.

“It's a bit unbelievable to go from a rebellious student to being the Chancellor of the University. I know when Principal Drever capped me in 1968 I think there was a sense of relief – for me that I had got a degree and for him, that he got rid of me because I was a bit of a thorn in the flesh of the University at that time!"

And now, in his current role, and with his years of experience, Lord Robertson offers some sage advice for the latest cohort of graduates.

"Being at Dundee is the best start to any career that anybody could have," he says. "New graduates have got a platform to build their future. Work hard, take your chances when you get them, and be lucky – that's the formula and they are all connected."

Lord Robertson's career story and return to service at his alma mater isn't just his personal story – it's one that reflects the connection we all feel to our University. Whether staff, student, graduate, or student of the future, we're all part of the University, and the University is ours. Our lives may shift and move apart through time, but we'll always have a connection to the power of education that connects us to our shared university experience.