Professor June Andrews, Director of the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre, has received a prestigious award in recognition of her service to the community. It was presented to her at a black-tie dinner at the Pyramid Club in Philadelphia, held to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The British-American Project, more affectionately known as BAP.
To mark this important event, two awards were created and one of those, the Scott/ Van Dusen/ Villiers Founders’ Award, was given to Professor Andrews for high achievement in her chosen field.
Speaking on behalf of the BAP awards committee, Martin Vander Weyer – former UK Chair of BAP and Business Editor of The Spectator magazine – said: “June Andrews has been a Fellow of BAP since 1992 and is a regular participant at its annual conferences.
“Her distinguished work in the field of dementia care and her tireless contributions to many other aspects of nursing and healthcare in Scotland are widely recognised and admired, and her positive, sympathetic, can-do spirit is very much the spirit of BAP. We are delighted to give this award to June.”
On learning she had been nominated for the award, Professor Andrews said: “It is a rather humbling experience. The British-American Project has Fellows from all walks of life; from the military in the USA and the UK, ministers of religion across both countries, and leaders in law, medicine, the arts and media.
“As a nurse, and a Scottish woman, it is quite something to be recognised in that cohort of leaders. Not least, I feel the nomination is recognition for the work of the teams I have had the privilege to lead.
“The team at the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling is world class in what they do, and global in their reach. I’m just delighted that we have all been noticed in this way and grateful to all those who have helped along the way.”
The British-American Project is a fellowship of some 1,000 leaders and opinion formers, who are drawn in equal numbers from the United States and the United Kingdom, and represent a broad spectrum of occupations, backgrounds and political viewpoints. Created in 1985, the Project works to maintain the close relationship between the two countries which was first established by an earlier generation during WWII and was originally known as the British-American Project for the Successor Generation.
At BAP’s annual four-day conference, which is held alternately in the UK and US, up to 24 people from each side of the Atlantic are sponsored to attend as Delegates, meeting and debating issues of importance to both countries. Chosen on the basis of service their communities, the Delegates come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and include rising stars from the world of business, government, the voluntary and non-profit sector, medicine, the media, and the armed forces.
At conference time, they come together to debate issues of importance to both countries, exchange ideas and experiences and cement friendships, before being elected Fellows of the Project at conference end.
By this simple mechanism, many thousands of transatlantic friendships and professional contacts have been established and, since its inaugural conference in 1985, BAP has built an influential Fellowship of more than 1,000 members. So today, BAP’s online database of Fellows is an invaluable resource for members, both for business and pleasure.
Notes to editors:
BAP is run by its Fellowship, whose elected officers and its Advisory Board – led by the Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, PC. (UK) and Dr George R. Packard (US) – manage its development.
The Scott/ Van Dusen/ Villiers Founders’ Award is named after three individuals – Isadore Scott, Lewis Van Dusen and Sir Charles Villiers – who helped to found the original Project back in 1985.
For further information or media enquiries, please contact: Colm Cunningham, Associate Director of the University’s Dementia Services development Centre at: colm.cunningham@stir.ac.uk or call: 01786 467748