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DCU Iolite Gala celebrating 21 years of Access

Click here to view Iolite Gallery

In celebration of the achievements of the DCU Access Programme over the last two decades, the Dublin City University Educational Trust was proud to host the DCU Iolite Gala on Wednesday, 9th November 2011.

Masters of Ceremonies and DCU Alumni Richard Curran, Deputy Editor of The Sunday Business Post and Sinead Kissane, Sports Commentator for TV3, were joined by over 430 guests for this very special celebration in the Redwood Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza, Northwood.

‘Iolite’, the chosen theme for the Gala, is the traditional gemstone for 21st anniversaries, but its selection for this event is linked to the stone’s historical use by mariners as a navigation device for their vessels.

At Dublin City University, we tell our students, You can go anywhere from here. Some have broken barriers and overcome tremendous personal, financial and educational obstacles to do just that. Now more than ever, DCU is committed to increasing the amount of support available to students through Access Scholarships and similar programmes that allow graduates to become tomorrow’s leaders

Today nearly 500 Access students attend DCU across the broad spectrum of our programmes, all thanks to this ground-breaking initiative, and with each scholarship generously supported through philanthropic contributions by corporations, individuals, alumni and friends of the university to the DCU Educational Trust, DCU’s charitable foundation.

Over the course of the black-tie evening, guests were treated to an inspiring programme of speakers, including a video message from DCU Chancellor Dr. Martin McAleese and guest of honour Senator Feargal Quinn, who took to the stage to speak about equal access to educational opportunities.
DCU Access students Vicky Kavanagh and Raymond Moran spoke warmly of the opportunities that the DCU Access Programme has made available to them and presented video greetings from Iolite Gala sponsors State Street, Deloitte and Arthur Cox. There was also a strong focus on the successes and achievements of graduates, who recorded Skype messages from cities across the globe in celebration of the evening’s events.
Guests also enjoyed an exciting array of dance and music performances, including the DCU Dance Society, DCU Glee and the Late Late Show House Band.

DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith, joined by the sponsors, presented four awards representing the university’s four strategic themes, Translation, Transformation, Enterprise and Engagement. The Engagement Award, sponsored by State Street, was presented to Sean Coughlan, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland to recognise his leadership and significant work in building and supporting an Irish network of social entrepreneurs. Pat Gilroy was presented with the Transformation Award, sponsored by Deloitte, for his transformational development work and leadership of the Dublin Senior Football team and his efforts to promote the development of Gaelic Football at all levels.

The Enterprise Award, sponsored by the Irish American Endowment for Education, was presented to Paul Kerley for his success as an entrepreneur and support of others aspiring to achieve this goal.  Paul is a DCU graduate and Founder of Norkom Technologies. Professor John Crown was recipient of the Translation Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox, for his outstanding work in the area of cancer research and treatment. Professor Crown holds the Thomas Baldwin Chairin Translational Cancer Research at DCU.

Also honoured on the night was Joyce Loughnan, who was presented with a special DCU Alumni Award recognising social impact. Joyce is a graduate of the DCU MBA programme and Chief Executive of Focus Ireland, which provides services for persons out of home, including children and young people, and engages in research and advocacy.

Patrick McDermott, CEO of the DCU Educational Trust said, “All of us in the DCU Educational Trust are heartened by the overwhelming show of support and goodwill that was demonstrated here at the DCU Iolite Gala this evening.  As we celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the DCU Access Programme, it was wonderful to gather so many graduates of the university and friends of the programme to recognise the real and life-changing difference that each student scholarship makes for our students.  So many donors remark to us at their joy in being able to change a talented young person’s life for just €2000 per year.  As the Access Programme continues to grow, we hope more and more individuals and corporate friends of the university will consider supporting students through a philanthropic contribution to the Educational Trust.  These students represent the promise of Ireland’s future.  Each of them has been given an opportunity and a reason to hope and believe in themselves.  Our donors make that possible and on behalf of the entire university community, and all those gathered at tonight’s Gala we say, ‘thank you!’”

Deloitte, Brendan Jennings, Managing Partner, “Deloitte believe in the power of education to transform lives and long appreciated the calibre of graduates produced by Dublin City University. We are proud to support the DCU Access Scholarship Programme through the Deloitte Access Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides access scholarships for students in perpetuity.”

“Deloitte was pleased to receive a DCU Leadership Award in 2008 in recognition of the close relationship between our organisations. We congratulate the university on the 21st Anniversary of the DCU Access Programme.”

State Street Ireland, Susan Dargan, Chief Operating Officer, “Through the State Street Foundation, we have been supporters of the DCU Access Scholarship Programme and related programmes since 2007.”

“We are delighted to support both the programme and this Gala evening, as a reflection of the close relationship we have with DCU - as philanthropic friends and as an employer of DCU graduates. We were delighted to have this relationship acknowledged with a DCU Leadership Award in 2010.”

Arthur Cox, Eugene McCague, Chairman, “Arthur Cox are pleased to be a sponsor of the DCU Iolite Gala, celebrating this important milestone for Dublin City University. We share a long history with DCU, having been legal counsel for the university since its inception, and we are pleased to have witnessed the university go from strength to strength over the years. We congratulate the university on its achievements to date and wish it every success under Prof. Brian MacCraith’s leadership.”

The DCU Educational Trust supports students who receive a place on the Access Programme with scholarships funded entirely by the private sector. These awards are vital to the students during their years at the university.  It is hoped that through the generous support of guests on the night, the DCU Educational Trust’s goal to raise twenty-one Access Scholarships will be exceeded.

The DCU Iolite Gala was kindly sponsored by Deloitte, State Street, Arthur Cox, the Irish American Endowment for Education Inc. and DCU Alumni.