Leave your Exeter legacy

Bettina Rigg

It is more than 15 years since Bettina Rigg (Law 1978) first remembered Exeter when drawing up her will. She made her decision because she recognised the value of her time at the University and the opportunities it had afforded her.  

“My father and father-in-law were both brilliant engineers, but neither had the chance to attend university,” she said. “They progressed the traditional way from apprenticeships upwards – but who knows what they could have achieved if they’d had the benefits a university education brings? In memory of them, I hope my legacy offers that opportunity to engineers of the future.

“My time at Exeter was in every sense a formative experience. I emerged more confident, with real self-belief and my sights set high, and from a professional perspective my Exeter degree lent me credibility – it opened doors and provided an opportunity to achieve.

“The thought that I can help someone achieve their potential, give them the same opportunity I had – that my father and father-in-law never had – is hugely satisfying. It would be awful if I missed this chance to make a real difference to someone’s future.”

Andrew Lang

A room in the newly refurbished library on the Streatham Campus has been named as a tribute to an Exeter alumnus and philanthropist.

Professor Andrew Lang obtained a first class honours degree in physics at Exeter in 1944. He went on to complete a London External MSc and PhD at Cambridge, carrying out industrial research in England and the USA, before embarking on a successful career in academia.

As Assistant Professor of Physical Metallurgy at Harvard University, then Lecturer, Reader and Professor of Physics at the University of Bristol, Andrew Lang pioneered studies in X-ray diffraction physics. Prof Lang was a Fellow of the Royal Society.

During his life Professor Lang supported many charities including the University of Exeter. He died in 2008 and in his Will bequeathed over £90,000 to support investment in the University library. It was in the library that he learned the skills of focused research and study and realised how important this had been during his academic life.

To celebrate his generous legacy, a room within the newly refurbished library has been named the 'Lang Room'. Members of Professor Lang’s family were able to attend a special opening to recognise his generosity.

Stephen Mossop, Head of Library Customer Services at the University said: “We are constantly making advancements in our library provision to ensure we provide the very latest facilities for our students and so we are very grateful for Professor Lang’s generous gift.

“What makes it even more special is that he was a former student who appreciated and valued the University library. We are proud that the principles of research and study he learned at Exeter stayed with him and helped him within his illustrious career.”