A trio of University of Limerick graduates received high honours at an awards ceremony on Saturday night.
It brings to 50 the total number of graduates honoured by the University of Limerick Alumni – fitting in the 50th anniversary of the founding of the University.
The 15th annual UL Alumni Awards Gala Dinner was held in Castletroy Park Hotel this 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.
The 2022 award recipients are IBEC President and Coillte CEO Imelda Hurley, (retired) Colonel Colm Doyle of the Irish Defence Forces and former United Nations Chief of Staff at the Military Division at the Department of Peacekeeping Operation, and Linda Ledger, CEO of St Munchin’s Community Centre.
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 VP at Analog Devices and whose family were in attendance, was also remembered.
UL President Professor 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 achievements of our alumni, of which there are over 118,000, can be seen and witnessed all over the world and that treasury of talent that we have shared far and wide, reflects enormously well on us.
“This magnificent cohort of talented individuals are the embodiment of the story we want to tell at University of Limerick.
“Worldwide, as University of Limerick graduates continue to make enormous contributions via their chosen life paths, their achievements reflect enormously well on their alma mater.
“The Alumni Awards programme is designed to recognise graduates who have made an outstanding contribution in particular fields.
“Our first ever UL Alumni Awards ceremony was hosted by in 2006 and to-date, we have honoured the work and lives of 47 graduates.
“Tonight, we bring the membership of that illustrious group to 50…. A fitting number given this, our year of celebrations,” Professor Mey added.
Over 200 guests attended the event which was sponsored by Bank of Ireland with event partners Analog Devices, Cantor Fitzgerald, Ingenium and Stryker Ireland.
The MC was UL alumna, 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.
2022 Award Recipients:
Ms Imelda Hurley – BBS 1994 - Outstanding Contribution/Business
Col Colm Doyle – MA International Studies 1994 - Outstanding Contribution/Humanitarian
Ms Linda Ledger – Dip Project Management 2012 - Outstanding Contribution/Society