1,903 Graduates from 30 counties, 7 countries and 4 continents Honoured over 3 days at MIC Conferring Ceremonies
The Liam McCarthy Cup was in good company this week as he joined the 1,903 graduates from across the globe presented with academic degrees and other awards at Mary Immaculate College’s three-day conferring ceremonies.
Amongst those being honoured this year with an Award for Outstanding Achievement were Limerick hurling legends Cian Lynch, who graduated with a BA in Geography and Theology & Religious Studies, and Aaron Gillane, current liberal arts student, both of whom were members of the All-Ireland winning Limerick Senior Hurling Team 2018.
Not to be outshone by the men Roisín Upton, current PME (Primary Teaching) student was also presented with an Award for Outstanding Achievement. Róisín, from Raheen, Limerick, played a part in Irish sporting history as a member of the Ireland Women’s Senior Hockey Team who took home silver in the 2018 Hockey World Cup final in London in August.
Cork lady, Linda Collins, a current final year B Ed student from Kinsale, also received an Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of her sporting achievements as part of the winning All-Ireland Cork Senior Camogie team in 2018 and 2015.
The awards for Limerick women didn’t stop there as Kelly Ryan, from Lisnagry, Co. Limerick, was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the B Ed in Education and Psychology programme (Primary Teaching with Psychology), presented by Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC. Kelly was also the recipient of the Duais Carlisle agus Blake Award, presented by the Department of Education & Skills to the graduate who was awarded first place in Education, Theory and Practice and the Bonn Vere Foster Award, presented by the INTO to the graduate who was awarded first place in Teaching Practice.
Also presented with a College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the Bachelor of Education programme (Primary Teaching) was Alisha Heffernan, from Ballyphehane, Cork, who was also the recipient of the Bonn Vere Foster Award, presented by the INTO to the graduate who was awarded first place in Teaching Practice.
Also from Cork was Eva Marie Kelleher, from Dripsey who was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the Professional Master of Education programme (Primary Teaching).
Marziya Fazal, from Tanzania, was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the BA in Early Childhood Care & Education.
While Rebecca O’Grady, from Adare, was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the BA in Liberal Arts.
Selina Gorman from Duleek, Co Meath, was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the BA in Education, Business Studies & Accounting programme, MIC Thurles.
Elaine Daly, from Newmarket, Co. Cork, received the award for achieving first place in the BA in Education, Business Studies & Religious Studies programme, MIC Thurles.
Antaine Ó Cuinn, from Leitir Móir, Co. na Gaillimhe; received the medal for achieving first place in the BA in Education, Gaeilge & Business Studies.
Sinéad McColgan, from Buncrana, Co Donegal; was awarded the College Gold Medal for achieving first place in the BA in Education, Gaeilge & Religious Studies programme; all at MIC Thurles.
Amongst those graduating were 852 graduates from the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) programme, in partnership with Early Childhood Ireland and Maynooth University. Emma Tallon from Dundrum, Dublin, was awarded with a College Gold Medal for achieving first place on the programme.
Proving it’s never too late to learn was Dr Derek Mulcahy from Mungret, Co. Limerick, who was one of 12 graduates to be awarded a doctorate award. Dr Mulcahy returned to College as a mature student in 2011 when he completed the Foundation Certificate for Mature Learners. Following this he completed a BA in History and English before successfully undertaking a PhD in History.
Other graduates included Liam O’Donoghue, Siobhan Healy and Des O’Halloran all of whom graduated as primary teachers having successfully completed the Teacher Education Access Programme (TEAP) for Mature Learners in 2013 before undertaking the B Ed (Primary Teaching) programme.
Full list of Awardees available here.
Speaking at the event Bishop Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick and Chairman of An tÚdarás Rialaithe, MIC said “There is a joy in the air here in Limerick today that lifts us all. Today is a day of hopes and dreams for all our Graduates, the fulfilment of hopes that brought them here and the dreams in their heart for the future. So I congratulate you and I also want to thank you, Graduates of 2018, for giving us this gift of celebration and joy today”.
Speaking at Friday’s ceremony to the teaching graduates was Dr Harold Hislop, Chief Inspector, Department of Education & Skills who spoke of the extraordinary career that is teaching. “Our teachers have one of the most influential and potentially transformative relationships with each child – a relationship and experience that may impact upon the child for years to come if not their lifetime…When we teach we shape the future for generations to come.”
“As graduates of MIC, you will have benefited from the fact that this college is pioneering the education of teachers for early years, primary and post-primary settings, as well the professional education of teachers for learners with special educational needs and teachers for specialised schools such as Irish-medium schools, in one institution.”
Congratulating the Class of 2018 and their families Professor Eugene Wall, President of MIC, said: “Behind every graduate there are always other people to be found: dedicated mothers, fathers, grandparents, spouses or partners, relatives or friends, who have also been part of the journey - that culminates in this ceremony, from major sacrifice of financial support at the one end - to the kindly provision of advice in the bleaker times on the other. We express our gratitude to you.”
Addressing the teaching graduates Prof. Wall added that “good teaching is not just about instructing, it’s not just about academic development – it’s also about inspiring, and motivating, and developing relationship skills, and caring, and promoting wellbeing! Excellent teaching comes from the heart. It is found in the commitment, the caring, and the compassion that wells up from the inner humanity of the teacher. As a College we are proud and deeply admiring of the personal calibre of the students who chose to prepare for careers in teaching and who, year after year, entrust the formative years of their future to us”.
Bringing the three-day ceremonies to a close Professor Wall offered the following advice: “Our lives don’t (and shouldn’t) unfold in a directionless way. Pathfinding your way through the thickets of life requires a destination and a map. Believe in yourself, believe in your capacity to shape your own life, and believe in your ability to make a difference in the lives of others.”
