Chancellor's Awards 2014
DCU students, Ann Reilly (BSc Health & Society) and Rónán Ó Dálaigh (BA Gnó agus Gaeilge) have been awarded the Chancellor's Medal 2014 as part of the November Convocation ceremonies. The Chancellor’s Medal is awarded only where there is an outstanding candidate who achieves excellence across the academic and extra-curricular areas of University life. It recognises an individual’s dedication to all aspects of life at DCU: the academic programme, extra-curricular activities, involvement in clubs and societies, and service to the University and to the wider community.
Ann's achievements in learning, recreation, helping others and he contributions to the university as well as the wider community were noted in her citation. 'Ann's combined achievements at DCU are truly remarkable and this is matched by the impression she gives to othees who are struck by her courtesy, enthusiasm, diligence, resourcefulness and intelligence." As well as being an outstanding student where she piloted a mutual help format for poeple with expereince of stigmatisation linked to obesity, Ann was chariperson of the DCU Mature Students' Society and volunteers with SO SAD, a Navan-based service providing support to people bereaved by suicide and to people who are thinking about ending their lives, as well as establishing an Alzheimer's Cafe.
Staff and students in Fiontar DCU were delighted to learn that one of their own, Rónán Ó Dálaigh, was revealed as the winner of the 2014 Chancellor’s Medal at the Graduation Ceremonies on 6 November. He was also conferred with a First Class Honours BA at the same ceremony, having successfully completed the BA (Gnó agus Gaeilge) programme in Fiontar after four years of dedication to his studies and to life at DCU.
Rónán played an active role in DCU’s Students’ Union, in promoting enterprise and business, in a range of clubs and societies, as well as being involved in drama and sport. He established his own company, SedCo, and is currently engaged in setting it on a firm footing with a view to growing it over the years ahead. Dr Ciarán Mac Murchaidh, Head of School in Fiontar, said of Rónán at the ceremony: ‘Is duine é Rónán a chaitheann dúthracht le gach dá ndéanann sé agus tá a thoradh sin le feiceáil sna héachtaí éagsúla atá ríofa agam sa ráiteas seo. I commend Rónán Ó Dálaigh to you as an example of the best of what DCU has to offer society’. Staff in Fiontar and the wider DCU community congratulate Rónán wholeheartedly on his achievement and wish him well in the years that lie ahead.
Bhí lúcháir ar fhoireann agus ar mhic léinn Fiontar DCU i mbliana nuair a fógraíodh ag searmanais Bhronnadh na gCéimeanna ar 6 Samhain go raibh Bonn an tSeansailéara 2014 le bronnadh ar Rónán Ó Dálaigh. Bronnadh céim céad onóracha air ag an searmanas céanna. Rinne Rónán an chéim BA (Gnó agus Gaeilge) le Fiontar agus is duine é a léirigh dúthracht as cuimse i rith a thréimhse san Ollscoil.
Ní dhéantar Bonn an tSeansailéara a bhronnadh ach in aon chás amháin: nuair atá iarrthóir den scoth ann a bhfuil ardleibhéal feabhais bainte amach aige/ aici i réimsí na hacadúlachta agus na ngnóthaí seach-churaclaim. Aithníonn sé sár-iarracht duine i réimsí iomlána shaol na hOllscoile: an clár léinn, imeachtaí sóisialta, rannpháirtíocht i gcumainn agus i gclubanna, agus seirbhís don Ollscoil agus don phobal i gcoitinne.
Bhí ról thar a bheith gníomhach ag Rónán in Aontas na Mac Léinn, i gcúrsaí fiontraíochta agus gnó, i gclubanna éagsúla agus i gcúrsaí drámaíochta agus spóirt fad a bhí sé ina mhac léinn in DCU. Tá comhlacht dá chuid féin bunaithe aige,SedCo, agus tá sé ag iarraidh bonn ceart a chur faoi agus é a fhás faoi láthair. Agus é ag caint faoi Rónán ag an searmanas, dúirt an Dr Ciarán Mac Murchaidh, Ceann Scoile Fiontar, gur ‘duine é Rónán a chaitheann dúthracht le gach dá ndéanann sé agus tá a thoradh sin le feiceáil sna héachtaí éagsúla atá ríofa agam sa ráiteas seo. I commend Rónán Ó Dálaigh to you as an example of the best of what DCU has to offer society’. Gabhann foireann Fiontar agus pobal na hOllscoile comhghairdeas ó chroí le Rónan as an ngradam a bhaint amach agus guímid gach rath air sna blianta a shíneann amach roimhe.