The University of Limerick Alumni Association (ULAA) bestowed the Association’s highest honour to three of the University’s outstanding graduates at the 7th Annual UL Alumni Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, 20 October. This annual event celebrates the outstanding achievements of Graduates of the University of Limerick and this year is no exception with three UL alumni, Rugby legend Mr Tony Ward BA Physical Education ’78, Vice-President Analog Devices Mr Richard (Dick) Meaney B Eng (Electronic) ‘79 and Boeing Commercial Engineer of the Year Dr Pio Fitzgerald B Eng (Aeronautical) ‘99 being honoured.

For the first time, the awards celebration was held on campus at the new Pavilion development on the Clare side of the expanded University campus which began its 40th anniversary celebrations in September. The 2012 UL Alumni Awards is made possible through the generous support of Event Partners: Barringtons Hospital, Hays Recruitment, Stryker Ireland and Widger Financial Planning.

Speaking at the UL Alumni Awards Gala Dinner, UL President Prof Don Barry said “Our Alumni Awards recognise three great Ambassadors for the University of Limerick and their achievements are an inspiration to all of us. As the University celebrates its 40th  anniversary this year, the awards evening is a key date in the UL40 calendar and it enables us to also celebrate the generations of UL graduates who have played a leading role in building Ireland's reputation at home and abroad and celebrate the lifelong value of a UL education. I am delighted to welcome Tony, Dick and Pio back to the campus for the presentation of their awards”.

Since its inception in 2006, twenty UL alumni have been honoured at this annual awards celebration including composer Patrick Cassidy, former Riverdance star Jean Butler, former Chief Executive of the Kentz Corporation Hugh O’Donnell, former All-Ireland Kerry Footballer Pat Spillane and former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, the late Lt. Gen. Dermot Earley.