Originally published March 22 2011

A leading member of staff at the University of Edinburgh, who helped Edinburgh secure the largest ever donation in the institution’s history is to leave his post following an investigation.

Young Dawkins, the Vice Principal for Development and Alumni, the department that runs the Campaign responsible for generating donations for the university, has helped the university net a number of major donations during his tenure, including a record-breaking £10 million donation from Harry Potter creator JK Rowling last September.

Senior Officials from the University told The Times last week that Dawkins had been the subject of an investigation, but stated that it “did not result in a disciplinary outcome”. The University refused to disclose any further details relating to the investigation.

However, they added: “He is continuing in his role at the university until July 31 2011. The University is very appreciative of the work that Mr Dawkins carried out in his role as vice principal for development and alumni.”

Before joining the Edinburgh Campaign Dawkins spent eight years as President of the University of New Hampshire Foundation, where he led the institution to surpass its $100 million capital target more than two years ahead of schedule.

In 2005 Dawkins, who is married to the 2005/06 Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) President, was hired by the University of Edinburgh to raise £350 million via the Edinburgh Campaign. Launched in 2006 the campaign aims to attract donations for‘new buildings to support teaching and research initiatives’ and ‘for investment in people and infrastructure for focused initiatives across the campus.

Along with the donation made by JK Rowling, other notable donations made to the campaign include a £1 million donation for a motor neurone disease centre, as well as a six-figure sum pledge from a London-Based family to increase understanding of fragile X syndrome, a condition that affects their son. 

Rowling’s gift brought the total just over £310 million, however, subsequent donations have since raised the total to almost £330 million.

The author’s donation is being used to set up a clinic named after her mother, who died of complications related to MS at the age of 45. It will be housed within a purpose-built facility within the University’s Chancellor’s Building.

Clinicians and researchers at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic will take a patient-centred approach towards seeking out new treatments to slow down, halt and ultimately reverse the progression of MS, a disease that disrupts signals sent from the brain to the muscles and for which there is currently no cure.

At the time of the donation Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Edinburgh Campaign Board member, told The Student: “I am delighted and astonished by the generosity of this offer. It will help real progress to be made in the battle against Multiple Sclerosis."