William Murphy

William Murphy, 52, from Cowdenbeath, left school at the age of 15 with no qualifications. He thereafter began a 25-year career in sales and started a family.

However, in 2012 Mr Murphy contracted necrotizing fasciitis – a flesh-eating virus – and his world changed forever.

His family was told to prepare for the worst.

Mr Murphy said: “It all happened in the space of one weekend. I went from a happy, healthy person, to my family being called to the hospital and a priest reading me my last rites.”

After his initial operation to save his life, Mr Murphy faced nine further procedures to improve his quality of life. The trauma from this process severely impacted his mental health, and he turned to alcohol to cope.

He said: “After going through so much my drinking became problem drinking and I knew I had to give it up. I needed to make a positive change and pursue what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Whilst in recovery he decided to enrol in an access to law course at college, which helped him gain a place to study law at Abertay University. However, the challenges he faced in life were far from over when he began university.

On his second day of university his father unexpectedly passed away, and his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer a year into his course. He decided to reach out to staff to see how they could help him.

Mr Murphy commented: “My lecturers and support staff at university were fantastic during this difficult time. They really encouraged me to keep going with my course whilst helping me catch up with work when grieving and caring for my mum.”

He managed to get back on track but began to struggle like so many did with their mental health when the pandemic hit.

He added: “I felt like giving up. I felt so isolated during the pandemic. However, my lecturers and tutors kept in regular contact and refused to let me give up on myself. I am so grateful to them because I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my dream of obtaining a law degree without their help.”

Professor Annelize McKay, head of division for law at Abertay said: “I am absolutely thrilled with what William has achieved here during his time at Abertay.

“He has faced more challenges than most will in their life and has gone on to flourish and reach his goals.

“I would like to wish William and all of our graduates the very best for the future and I can’t wait to see what they will go on to achieve.”