Gerard McDonnell came to world attention on August 1st 2008 when he became the first Irish person to scale K2 and was subsequently tragically killed in the single worst accident in the history of K2.

As a testament to Ger’s warmth of character, family, friends, classmates and the DCU School of Engineering came together to establish a permanently endowed scholarship fund in his memory.  The Ger McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship Fund is being run as part of the University's Access Programme. Now in its 20th year, the DCU Access Scholarship Programme provides over 400 talented students with the opportunity of a third level education, which their circumstances would not otherwise allow.

Ger was honoured at DCU on the 30th of April with the official launch of a Scholarship in his name.  A plaque was unveiled by Chairman of the DCU Educational Trust, Larry Quinn before Ger’s brother JJ thanked everyone on behalf of the McDonnell Family.

We are delighted to report that over €56,000 has been raised for the Ger McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship Fund with the first scholarship being awarded to a student studying Engineering at DCU.  Because the Scholarship is endowed, a scholarship will be awarded in Ger’s name to a deserving DCU student each year in perpetuity.

"One of the reasons Ger was so well known and respected by so many people was because of his commitment to helping others", said Fiona McDonnell, a class mate of Ger's during his time in DCU. "It's fitting that he be remembered within DCU by an Access Scholarship that can help someone else", she adds.
Although the scholarship can in no way compensate for the loss of Ger, it is our hope that in time, the Scholarship will bring some small measure of comfort to all who knew Ger in the knowledge that his memory is encouraging the potential of bright young students at DCU.  Dublin City University is deeply honoured to house this special tribute to Ger and we look forward to sharing news of the scholarship recipients in the years to come.

To learn more about the Ger McDonnell Memorial Scholarship Fund at DCU please contact Claire Whelehan at the DCU Educational Trust on (01) 700-5467. For online donations please visit www.dcu.ie/trust/