Alistair Moffat was elected Rector of the University of St Andrews earlier this academic year with a record turn out of voters. Moffat graduated from St Andrews in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He has worked as the Director of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Chairman of STV, as well as finding time to write over twenty books.
The rectorial career of Alistair Moffat will span the 600th anniversary celebrations. The post of rector is elected every three years, and is a post unique to Scottish universities. The rector represents the students on the University Court, and Moffat has held numerous surgeries and meetings with students since his election in 2011.
In keeping with the matchmaking tradition of St Andrews, Moffat met his wife while studying here. Two of their three children have also attended the University of St Andrews.
Moffat follows in the footsteps of other rectors such as Rudyard Kipling, Andrew Carnegie, J. M. Barrie, and John Cleese. Moffat was involved in the campaign to elect John Cleese during his time as a student at St Andrews. Moffat was also involved in sports while at St Andrews; most notably he was on the First Rugby Team.