Sean Og O Halpin and Irish Times photographer Bryan 0 Brien among DCU Alumni to be honoured by President Mcaleese.
- 8 May 2006

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese visited DCU on Monday, May 8th, to present the University’s inaugural Alumni Awards to six distinguished graduates – among them Cork’s All-Ireland star, Sean Og O hAilpin, and the international award winning Irish Times photographer Bryan O Brien.

Emma Kiernan, Co-ordinator of the Collinstown Park School Completion Programme, part of a national initiative aimed at improving retention of pupils in primary and post primary education, is also among the inaugural award winners. A former DCU access student with a BA in Business Studies and a Masters in Education and Training Management, Emma is a powerful advocate of access to third level education for second level pupils from non-traditional backgrounds.

Michael Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of Empathy Marketing Limited (Pigsback.com) Dr Ena Prosser, a partner in the venture capital company, Fountain Healthcare Partners, formerly Director of Enterprise Ireland’s Biotechnology Directorate, and Liavan Mallin founder of Celtic Hampers which became the largest mail order company in Ireland, and founder of ShopDirect as well as the Liavan Mallin Award for young entrepreneurial companies, completes the six Alumni Award winners.

The DCU Alumni Awards will be presented annually to graduates who have made substantial achievements in their chosen fields, or who have contributed in a significant way to the social, artistic or economic development of Ireland. The Awards have been initiated this year as part of DCU’s celebration of its 25th Anniversary.

At the event President McAleese was also introduced to 10 students from Ballymun Jobs Centre, St Dominic’s College Cabra, Colaiste Dhulaigh, Drimnagh Castle CBS and St Dominic’s Secondary School Ballfermot that are learning how to set up their own businesses. They are receiving entrepreneurship training and support through a programme run by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Ireland, an international organisation that has partnered with DCU.

The President of DCU Ferdinand von Prondynski said: “DCU is the youngest university in Ireland, but the breath of our graduates’ contribution to Ireland is well represented in these awards, from sporting achievement to business innovation, outstanding media performance and contributing to the social development of Ireland. DCU has led the drive to increase the numbers of Irish people from marginalised communities receiving third level education and I’m delighted the access programme is represented today.

“We are honoured that President McAleese has presented the inaugural Alumni Awards and we are proud of our first award winners; Sean Og O hAlpin is a sports leader who illustrates the mark DCU is making in Ireland’s sporting life, leading Cork to victory in the All Ireland hurling final last year. This was followed by our success in this year’s Sigerson Cup and Derval O Rourke’s gold medal win in Moscow. Emma Kiernan has demonstrated her commitment to equality in education through her work in the Ballymun Initiative for Third Level Education and her current role in Collinstown; Liavan Mallin, Michael Dwyer and Ena Prosser through their successful entrepreneurial activities, can serve as role models for our ten young budding NFTE entrepreneurs who met the President today! Their attendance at the awards will also help demonstrate the benefits of continuing into third level education. ”

ENDS