On Friday, 25 November, the Hibernia College graduation ceremony took place at the Convention Centre Dublin. Academic Dean Dr Mary Kelly conferred postgraduate degrees on 920 graduands from the Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Education and PME in Post-Primary Education programmes. This was the largest Hibernia College graduating cohort to date, with newly qualified primary and post-primary teaching graduates representing all 26 counties.
Prize Winners
The Hibernia College Student of the Year Award was presented by Dr Seán M. Rowland, President of Hibernia College, to Emma Maloney, Donal O’Shea and Sandra Holohan of the PME in Primary programme, and to Ciara Mc Grane and Anna Murphy in the PME in Post-Primary programme. Donal O’Shea, Therese Barrett, Mary Corless and Áine Murphy were the recipients of the Hibernia College Research Prize, and Adele Crilly and Siobhán O’ Donnell were awarded the Hibernia College Religious Education Award. The Hibernia College Outstanding Performance in School Experience and Professional Practice Award went to Ciara Molloy and Susanne Dempsey.
The Duais Ghaeilge Gael Linn was presented by Ian Mac Gabhann to Áine Ní Shléibhín and Alex Ó Ceallaigh, while the INTO Vere Foster Medal for Outstanding Performance in School Placement was awarded to Aonghus Ó hEochaidh and Robyn McCarthy by John Driscoll, President of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). Finally, the John O’Connor Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching was awarded to Caoimhe Leacy by Rachael Biddulph, Chairperson of the Business Studies Teachers’ Association of Ireland (BSTAI).
Diverse and Passionate Educators
In her speech, Dr Mary Kelly addressed the graduates:
Each one of you has taken a different path or road to be here today, and that’s what makes life at Hibernia College so unique. For some of you, you’ve worked in other careers for many years. Some of you came from your undergraduate degrees. But all of you shared the same dream. You have made huge sacrifices — personally, socially and financially — to complete this programme. Today is the day to celebrate your success.
She also stated that these PME graduates are ‘in a unique position to shape the future of every one of their students’. She affirmed that this year’s graduates ‘will make a vital and valuable contribution to their chosen profession at a time when our country is so short of teachers’.
Congratulations, Graduates!
We commend the outstanding achievement of all our graduates, and we wish the newest Hibernia College alumni great success. We look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments in the classroom and beyond.
