Cork Institute of Technology presents Alumni Awards

Cork Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Business and Humanities honoured three of its most prestigious graduates at an Alumni Awards Dinner. CIT celebrated Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland, Donncha O’Callaghan, former Munster and Ireland Rugby Player, and sculptor, Eilís O’Connell. Each was presented with an specially commissioned award made by CIT Crawford College of Art and Design Graduate, Luke Sisk.

Gerard O’Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities said “These recipients were honoured for their exceptional leadership and success in their respective fields and also for continuing to give back to students through guest lectures and attending events where they truly inspire and motivate CIT students to reach their full potential”

Anne O’Leary studied at CIT, Harvard Business School and London Business School and she said “Thank you to CIT and the Faculty of Business and Humanities for this Alumni Award. I am truly honoured and grateful for the recognition. I would like to congratulate the other awardees, I am humbled to be amongst such a prestigious group.”

Donncha O’Callaghan played 506 professional rugby matches, he was one of Ireland’s leading international rugby players and a stalwart of the Munster Rugby Team. After receiving his Alumni Award he said, “I am delighted to receive this honour, especially as I grew up near CIT and studied here. It is a privilege to be honoured with two other worthy recipients.”

Eilís O’Connell studied in the Crawford College of Art & Design and in the Massachusetts College of Art in the US. She is a founder member of the National Sculpture Factory in Cork and a former member of the Arts Council of Ireland, a member of Aosdána, and a member of the RHA. Eilís said “I am delighted to receive this award from CIT. I spend the best years of my life at the Crawford where I learnt many skills…I was given tremendous freedom and I thrived, looking back I am so grateful for that experience.”

The Awards were presented by Dr Barry O’Connor, CIT President, who congratulated the recipients on their well-deserved awards. He acknowledged their continued contribution to their Alma Mater and said he was “delighted to honour three such remarkable people who have made such an impact in their respective fields.”

: Dr Cian O’Neill, Department of Sport, Leisure, and Childhood Studies, Prof Margaret Linehan, John Meyler and Gerard O’Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities

: Dr Caroline O’Reilly, Head Department of Management and Enterprise, Dr Cian O’Neill, Department of Sport, Leisure, and Childhood Studies and Dr Catherine Molyneaux, Head of Department of Applied Social Studies

: Louise Foott, Head of Dept Department of Arts in Health and Education and Catherine Fehily, Head of CIT Crawford College of Art and Design

: Yvonne and Finbar O’Leary, Douglas

: Colm O’Leary, Ballintemple and Stella Meyler

: Keith McKeown, Crosshaven and Gillian Lynch, Monkstown

: Dr Noel Murray, Head of Dept Tourism and Hospitality, Dr Breda Kenny, Head of the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence and Don Crowley, Head of Department of Organisation & Professional Development