GMIT marks anniversary with honorary fellowships

GMIT marks anniversary with conferring of honorary fellowships


Áine Ryan
aineryan@mayonews.ie

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins was among a distinguished list of people conferred with  honorary fellowships marking 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) at the weekend.  
The other recipients were award-winning businessman Dr Bernard Collins for his vast contribution to industry, Theologian Reverend Professor Enda McDonagh for his contribution to education, GAA sportsman, All-Star and All Ireland medal winner PΡdraic Joyce for his contribution to sport, actor and co-founder of The Druid Theatre Marie Mullen for her work in the arts, Prof Seamas Caulfield for his contribution to Irish history and community, and milliner, designer Philip Treacy for his contribution to business.
Speaking at the ceremony, held last Friday at the Galway campus, GMIT President, Michael Carmody confirmed the institute would continue to be ‘a leading provider of technological education to new generations of learners’ but in a more collaborative way ‘with other higher and further education institutions as part of the new higher education landscape arising from the national strategy...’.
Former Mayo County Manager, and GMIT Governing Board member, Des Mahon said: “Today we honour extraordinary people who have extraordinary achievement in their careers and within their communities and in many cases the wider international stage. They have enhanced our lives, our communities, and made the West of Ireland a better place to live, work and invest in.”
Mr Mahon observed that 40 years was ‘a short time in the life of a cultural or educational institution’, but in that short period GMIT had conferred over 60,000 students with qualifications while presently catering for 8000 students on five campuses.

Citations
IN the citation for Dr Bernard Collins his contribution to industry in the west was highlighted.
Bekan native, Professor Enda McDonagh’s distinguished academic career was detailed in a citation that covered his busy career which included his appointment, while still in his 20s, as Professor of Moral Theology and Canon Law at the Pontifical University Maynooth and his role as an elected member of the Senate of the National University of Ireland, as well as his illustrious publication record.
Professor Seamus Caullfield, internationally renowned for the discovery of the most extensive Stone Age site in the world at the Céide Fields, in north west Mayo, was also honoured.

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