Andrew Carnegie's Great Grandson receive's Carnegie College's first Honorary Fellowship

Andrew Carnegie’s great-grandson William Thomson CBE has received the very first Carnegie College Fellowship. The honorary fellowship was presented at the college’s Graduation Ceremony held in Dunfermline Abbey on 17 September and was an acknowledgement of William’s proactive support for the College, particularly throughout the past year during the college name change.  

Janet McCauslin MBE, Assistant Principal with Carnegie College, gave the oration prior to the Principal presenting the honorary fellowship to William Thomson,

‘William is an extraordinary man, His career has included periods of time as a stockbroker, shipping manager, entrepreneur, publisher, shop owner, school director, venture capitalist and many other things besides – a career which epitomises change and flexibility, over a 40 year period, in response and in anticipation of changes in technology, society and the economy.  However there is very much more to William than his career in business. He is someone who is motivated simply by seeing what needs to be done and doing it. For example he set up Finton House School in Wandsworth, London. He had been impressed by the care and approach taken by the head teacher, especially in integrating a child who had spina bifida with the rest of the pupils. When the owners of the school building decided to take it back William and his co-founders established a new school for the teachers and the pupils. A feature of this school is how it assimilates the pupils with physical disabilities in a ‘matter of fact’ way that also helps able bodied youngsters accept and appreciate their physically less able peers. The school has grown from a roll of 15 to 350 youngsters in a short period of time’.

Carnegie Principal Professor Bill McIntosh added ‘We feel certain that William’s great grandfather, Andrew Carnegie, would be particularly proud of the achievements of his great grandson. He has tried many things, succeeded and then tried some more. He is entrepreneurial, innovative, caring and generous. The college is delighted to have the support of William Thomson, himself a successful entrepreneur and businessman with managerial experience. The name change has been received positively and the fresh image has undoubtedly helped raise awareness of the college and what it provides locally and internationally.’

Professor McIntosh continued ‘In a year that has seen the very first Carnegie Festival and the first graduates to receive Carnegie College certificates, it seems appropriate that the first fellowship be awarded to a member of the family who have been so instrumental in the history of the college’.

William Thomson is the Honorary President of the Carnegie UK Trust and last year he kindly presented the college with a portrait of his great ancestor and the college’s main benefactor, Andrew Carnegie.