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Celebrating 21 years of work on equality and access at Dublin City University
A day of celebration was held on 14 October 2011 to mark the 21st anniversary of the DCU Access Service which began in 1990 with just 6 students and which has since grown to 500 students in the college today. The day began with a Festival of Learning; guest speakers included Mary Liz Trant of the National Access Office, John Lyons Labour TD, Matt Cooper broadcaster with Today FM and Presidential candidate Mary Davis. Entertainment was provided by students from our link Schools and in the words of DCU President Brian MacCraith 'who needs XFactor when we have talent like this?'
In the afternoon, the annual 'Achievement Awards' were held and teachers and Guidance Counsellors from our 24 link schools in the North Dublin area were invited to nominate students in one of 5 categories - Academic, Sport, Arts and Culture, Community Spirit and Special Nomination. 385 students were nominated in total and were invited to this celebration of their success along with parents and family members. Each student received a certificate of recognition which was presented to them by the President of DCU. To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the service, an additional 'Outstanding Achievement' award was presented to students who were nominated by their schools as being particularly exceptional in each of the categories. One winner and two runner-ups in each category were awarded a glass plaque to mark their achievement and commemorate the day.
The winners and runners up in each Category were as follows:
Academic:
Runners-up were Aaron Trimble from St. Kevin's college and Luke Stobie Redmond from the Donahies Community Schools
Overall winner was Sarah Caruthers from St. Michael's Holy Faith Glasnevin
Arts and Culture:
Runners-up were Hannah Moore from Margaret Aylward and Conor Bridgeman from St. Aidan's C.B.S.
Overall winner was Sadhbh Elliott from Mater Christi
Community Spirit:
Runners- up were Jonathan Friel from Beneavin College and Dean Brown from Colaiste Dhulaigh
Overall Winner was Luke Madden from St. David's C.B.S.
Sport:
Runners-up were Craig Guerin from Grange Community College and Nikita Duggan from Pobalscoil Rosmini
Overall Winner was Tomás Hanafin from Colaiste Eanna.
A number of guest presenters were invited along on the day to present the outstanding achievement awards. In the sports category, presentations were made by Bernard Jackman, former Leinster and International Rugby star, Philly McMahon all Ireland medal winning member of the Dublin team and Jack Hanratty, Rugby Coach DCU and Leinster Rugby. In the Arts and Culture section awards were presented by Breandán de Gallai of Riverdance fame, Gillian Duffy, former Access student and novelist and Yvonne Crotty, musician and producer of the entertainment for the 21st anniversary celebrations. In the Community Spirit category, 3 Access graduates and philanthropists Leylah Mohammed, Karina Kortevich and Noel Carroll made the presentations and in the Academic category, presentations were made by two access graduates Ameera Ahmed and Cillian Byrne and by teacher and Gaelic Sports star Paddy Christie. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who helped to make it a very special day for everyone.