DCU Leadership Circle Dinner Attracts Leading Irish and US Dignitaries

From L to R going across back row;- Pat Kenny (Ex-Managing Partner, Deloitte), Pat Cullen (Managing Partner, Deloitte), US Ambassador Thomas C. Foley, Gay Byrne (Trustee), Niall Moyna (DCU Faculty of Science and Health), Mary Finan (Trustee), and Frank Keane (Managing Director, Frank Keane BMW)

The DCU Leadership Circle Dinner was held on Friday 27 June as a thank you to the supporters and friends of the University. It was hosted by DCU President Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski and DCU Educational Trust Board of Trustees. Over 120 guests attended the event, many of whom represent leading Irish and US corporates. US Ambassador to Ireland, Thomas C. Foley, gave a keynote speech on the importance of philanthropy in the education sector.

During the evening, three DCU Leadership Awards were presented to Frank Keane of BMW, Pat Kenny and Pat Cullen of Deloitte and Dr Niall Moyna of the DCU School of Health and Human Performance.

Frank Keane was presented with the award for his leadership gift to establish the Frank Keane BMW Endowment Fund. This endowment will support students entering the DCU Access programme who wish to study science. Pat Kenny and Pat Cullen were the driving forces behind the Deloitte Endowment Fund which will support seven or more students through annual Access scholarships in perpetuity. This gift from Deloitte was one of the first significant endowment gifts received by the university under the Access Endowment Campaign which was launched in 2006.

The third leadership award was presented to Dr Niall Moyna for his outstanding research in the area of health promotion, particularly in children, and for his involvement in the advancement of Irish sport and athletics. He continues to pressure government and other national bodies to make sport a priority and to think strategically about Ireland's approach to health and physical activity.

The DCU Leadership Circle is a community of exceptional supporters and friends of Dublin City University. Membership recognises and acknowledges the contributions made by donors whose generosity and vision help to bring Dublin City University to the next level of its development as a world-class centre of research and learning.

About DCU Educational Trust

The DCU Educational Trust is a registered charity (CHY 8960) established in 1988 to advance the development of Dublin City University. It is by building philanthropic relationships with friends, corporations, alumni, foundations and community groups that the DCU Educational Trust demonstrates the unique culture of Dublin City University and the power of higher education to change lives.

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