UCD President’s Award for Excellence in Student Activities 1998
UCD President’s Awards Recipients 1998
Gach bliain tugann Dámhachtainí an Uachtaráin aitheantas do na mic léinn sin a bhaineann an scoth amach in imeachtaí seach-churaclaim, imeachtaí a chinntíonn gur áit spleodrach, shuimiúil, dhinimiciúil agus dhaonnúil é UCD le cónaí ann agus le hobair agus staidéar ann chomh maith. Iarrtar ar fhoireann agus ar mhic léinn UCD iarrthóirí a ainmniú le haghaidh na ndámhachtainí sin.
The President’s Awards each year provide recognition for those students who excel in extracurricular activities of a kind that make UCD an exciting, interesting, dynamic and humane place to live, study and work. Staff and students at UCD are invited to nominate candidates for these awards.
David Carrigy BA (1998) is certainly in the mould of the ideal multi-talented student that the President mentioned in his opening remarks. He has been a mainstay of the Rugby Club for three years – particularly on the organizational and management side – and his talents contributed greatly to the turn-around in the development of College rugby, which has taken place. He has also been active in the Students’ Union, in Staff-Student Committees and in the L&H and his talents as a debater have gained him further honours. He is a most suitable student to receive this award.
Rossa Fanning BCL (1997) LLM (2000) has had a most distinguished career in College. As a debater he excelled at many levels and as auditor of the Law Society he achieved the goal of all such auditors – he almost managed to equal the splendours of the senior debating society – the L&H. having graduated he then took on the onerous and thankless role of Returning Officer for Students’ Union elections. He is now finishing a Masters degree in the law faculty and one sees him as a rather stern judge in a few years time.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher BCL (1999) BL (2001) LLM (2002) is a student whom UCD can be really proud. Having spent most of her first year in College suffering from the effects of a very serious accident she came back to help other students who were permanently disabled. The Student Volunteer Scheme which she was instrumental in starting and sustaining, has succeeded in recruiting literally hundreds of fellow students to assist on a regular basis those disabled students who now form such an important part of College life. This assistance ranges from performing household chores and reading texts onto tape providing that most difficult of gifts – companionship and friendship. I am proud to present her for an award.
Cian Harrington BE (1999) is, perhaps, a more conventional achiever but his achievements have been substantial and noteworthy. He has succeeded in that most difficult of tasks, getting UCD engineering students to stop studying for a while and to enjoy their life as members of the UCD community. Cian is one of the founder members of the Engineering Society. This society has had a dramatic effect on the integration of the engineers into Belfield life and Cian, as auditor last year, was responsible for many innovations I, including – most spectacularly – the establishment of Engineering Day as one of the significant days in the calendar. We are glad to honour his work.
Sinéad Ingoldsby BA (1997) has made her mark in College in the field of journalism. In the perpetual battle between our two student papers Sinéad has thrown her lot in with he University Observer and has spent four years with it. In that time she has been responsible to a considerable extent in raising its standards so that this year, under her co-editorship, it is generally thought to be the best for many years. Sinead has also been a regular participant in the L&H and in the management of the Student Club.
Natasha Malone BA (1997) MA (1999) is another postgraduate student who has managed to combine a good academic career with what seems like a very hectic extra-curricular life. Again, the L&H attracted her attentions and she has been very active both as debater and organized. In addition, she has participated with distinction in the activities of the Law Society, the Dance Society, Dramsoc and the College Choir. She has now taken over the role of one of our previous recipients and is the Returning Officer for Students’ Union elections. I am sure that they are in safe hands.
Michael Mc Nicholas BBLS (1997) MBS (1998) is the third post-graduate student we are honoring today. Michael has participated so widely and for so long in College activities that we should, perhaps, give him a fellowship as the Ideal All-Round Student. He has been a tireless rugby player, an accomplished debater, a reliable worker for the Students’ Union and the wittiest student journalist for many years. He has also been that most valuable individual – the good committee member and his work behind the scene in many ventures has been as valuable as his more public activities.
Orlaith Scallan BA (1998) is one of those students whose excellence is exhibited less in the public arena than in providing assistance to her fellow students – whether in helping with the organization of events to help the orientation of first year students on campus or in using her linguistic skills in helping Erasmus students to enjoy their experience in Ireland. Orlaith has also been involved with the Belfield Folk Group, the European Society, as well as being an active member of the Ladies Rowing Club. She is one of those who make this large institution a more interesting and humane place to live and to work in.
Tom Wright BA (1996) MA (1998), as the auditor of that venerable society, the L&H, that so many of the previous winners have been distinguished by their contributions, now makes an appearance. To be the auditor of the society, which has an unbroken lineage since its foundation by Cardinal Newman, is always a heavy responsibility. In addition to shouldering this responsibility with dedication and skill, Tom has also been an active member at various levels of the Students’ Union and the Student Club. It is not unworthy of note that he did all this while getting a first class honours degree and – this year – working for an MA.
Article posted April 21, 2014 societies.ucd.ie.
For more on the UCD President’s Award for Excellence in Student Activities visit societies.ucd.ie/presidentsaward.