MacMillan Nobel Funds Makes Inaugural Gift
A charitable fund established by the Department of Chemistry’s David MacMillan with monies from his 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has made its inaugural gift to the University of Glasgow, MacMillan’s alma mater.
The gift was announced this week by Glasgow, which has selected three scholarship funds to receive the gift from the May and Billy MacMillan Charitable Fund.
David MacMillan on a recent visit to the University of Glasgow, his alma mater, to receive an honorary degree.
The Fund was established last year by MacMillan, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry, and his wife, Jean, in honor of his parents. The Nobel laureate hopes to create opportunities and resources for underprivileged college-bound students in Scotland.
“We decided to give the inaugural gift to Glasgow for a whole range of reasons,” said MacMillan, who graduated from Glasgow in 1989 with a degree in chemistry. “First of all, I came from a working-class background, and Glasgow looked out for me. They gave me an amazing education and a springboard to the rest of my life. So, it seemed like the perfect match.
“But we also made this decision because Glasgow has a great program in place to help underprivileged kids get to university and stay there,” he added. “I think it’s so important to give back. This is something we’re really excited about.” MacMillan received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in June 2022.
The gift will support three scholarship programs for the university: Accommodation Scholarships, which will provide living and accommodation stipends for three individuals for the duration of their education; Retention Scholarships, for students who need financial support in years two, three, and four of their undergraduate degree; and Access Scholarships, for mature students who go to university later in life and need a year of access courses as they prepare to pursue their degree.
“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the May and Billy MacMillan Charitable Scholarship Fund,” said Daniel Keenan, the Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning officer at Glasgow. “The generosity of the Fund’s recent donation, coupled with David’s understanding of our work, means that we will be able to provide individuals from some of our most disadvantaged communities with new opportunities to make the most of their potential.”
MacMillan grew up in Bellshill, Scotland. He was one of the first young men in his hometown to attend college, along with his older brother, Iain.