University of Limerick Alumni awards high honours in anniversary year
A TRIO of University of Limerick (UL) graduates have received high honours at an awards ceremony this weekend.
In the college's 50th year of operation, Ibec president Imelda Hurley, Col Colm Doyle of the Irish Defence Forces and Linda Ledger, who leads St Munchin's Community Enterprise Centre received prizes.
Appropriately, it brings to 50 the number of graduates who have been honoured by UL alumni.
The 15th annual UL Alumni Awards Gala Dinner was held in Castletroy Park Hotel on Saturday night, the first time the event has been held since prior to the pandemic.
The annual awards, hosted by UL Alumni, celebrate the achievements of outstanding graduates.
During the ceremony, there was a moment’s applause to remember UL alumna, former staff member and honorary doctorate recipient Dr Vicky Phelan.
Previous alumni award recipient Peter Real, former vice-president at Analog Devices and whose family were in attendance, was also remembered.
UL president Prof Kerstin Mey said: “The poignancy of our appreciation should be seen through the prism of respect for all, as the people within our community - students and staff alike - is what we consider to be our greatest strength. Three times a year during our Winter, Summer and Autumn graduations, we get to share in the celebrations of our student successes. We are immensely proud of our graduates, for they are what fuels that talent pipeline that this institution, this region and beyond, what this country is famed for."
The Alumni Awards programme is designed to recognise graduates who have made an outstanding contribution in particular fields.
More than 200 guests attended the event which was sponsored by Bank of Ireland with event partners Analog Devices, Cantor Fitzgerald, Ingenium and Stryker Ireland - which itself won the overall annual Limerick Chamber business award this weekend.
Compere was UL graduate, broadcaster and presenter Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh.
The inaugural UL Alumni awards ceremony was first hosted in 2006 and previous recipients include Tony Ward, Jean Butler, Professor Brigid Laffan and Dr Hugh O’Donnell.