Orkney students to benefit from nearly £1 million local donation

A teacher and keen artist from Orkney, has left a £930,000 legacy to the University of the Highlands and Islands to benefit higher education in Orkney.

The bequest by Nancy Hewison, is in memory of her late husband William Hewison, a journalist and author, best known as a former editor of The Orcadian, where he worked for 34 years.

The legacy will create the ‘Bill and Nancy Hewison Fund’, which will be student focused and used to support students in their studies and to encourage higher education participation by the people of Orkney.

Professor Crichton Lang, Principal and Vice-Chancellor (interim) said: “This is a remarkable donation and we are incredibly grateful to the late Mr and Mrs Hewison.

“It is a great honour that this local couple had such confidence in the university’s ability to support students that they have chosen to generously gift their lives’ work to us.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for the university to further increase its transformational impact on the prospects of our region, supporting the people and communities in Orkney and Orkney College UHI.”

Professor Eddie Halpin-Abbot, Principal of Orkney College UHI said: “The creation of the Bill and Nancy Hewison Fund will make a real difference to students in Orkney for many years to come.”

The fund will be managed by the university’s development office, working to identify students and projects requiring support, ensuring the wishes of the benefactors are met sustainably and that their legacy will continue to produce benefits over time.

For more information contact alison.wilson@uhi.ac.uk