John Watson OBEJohn Watson OBE
  • About John
  • A Lifetime In Printing
  • History
  • Giving Something Back
  • Gallery
  • News

A STUNNING ADDITION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

23rd September 2021jwatson

John Watson OBE this week saw first hand how the University of Glasgow has honoured the globally-renowned James McCune Smith.

John was given a VIP tour of the landmark James McCune Smith  Learning Hub on University Avenue, Glasgow.

It is named in honour of Dr McCune Smith (1813-1865) who was a University of Glasgow alumnus born into slavery and who went on to become the first African American to be awarded a medical degree.

He was a pioneering and celebrated intellectual, prominent abolitionist and fierce supporter of social equality.

The £90.6 million James McCune Smith Learning Hub opened in April this year. It provides a state of the art learning and the teaching facility with capacity for more than 2,500 students and is the first building to be delivered through the University’s Campus Development Programme.

John said: “I was delighted to receive a tour of the spectacular James McCune Smith Learning Hub – part of a huge commitment to students from all over the world and for generations to come.

“It speaks volumes for the international focus that the University of Glasgow has and it is fitting that it should be named after a pioneer of higher education and medicine who went on to achieve such great things.”

The tour included a visit to one of the building’s rooms – so named in recognition of financial support by the Watson Foundation – set up by John Watson – for the outstanding work of the University.

While born into slavery. McCune Smith was freed by New York State’s Emancipation Act on July 4, 1827.

He attended the African Free School in Manhattan where his academic achievements led him to apply to several American universities.

Shockingly, after being denied entry to all those institutions due to his race, McCune Smith applied for – and was accepted by – the University of Glasgow’s medical school.

McCune Smith went on to gain three qualifications from the University of Glasgow – a bachelor’s degree in 1835, a master’s degree in 1836, and his medical doctorate in 1837.

Upon returning to New York McCune Smith set up medical practice in lower Manhattan and grew to be recognised as a prominent figure in the New York black community.

Previous post CASTLEMILK PANTRY OPENS Next post WATSON FOUNDATION STEPS IN AT ICONIC SQUASH CLUB

Archives

  • April 2025 (1)
  • December 2024 (1)
  • October 2024 (1)
  • June 2024 (1)
  • December 2023 (1)
  • November 2023 (1)
  • September 2023 (1)
  • August 2023 (1)
  • April 2023 (1)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • June 2022 (2)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (1)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • September 2021 (1)
  • June 2021 (1)
  • March 2021 (1)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • August 2020 (1)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (1)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • November 2018 (1)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (1)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (1)
  • July 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (1)
  • May 2016 (1)
  • April 2016 (4)
  • March 2016 (1)
  • January 2016 (1)
  • December 2015 (1)
  • November 2015 (2)
  • About John
  • A Lifetime In Printing
  • History
  • Giving Something Back
  • Gallery
  • News
© 2023 John Watson OBE. All rights reserved. Site by SDS