Well-known, respected and widely published in the physical education and sport pedagogy community internationally, this honours graduate is today regarded as one of the world's foremost authorities in the area of physical education and particularly, youth sport. 

Dr. Mary O'Sullivan BEd ‘76 began her academic career at the National College of Physical Education in 1973. With the college in its infancy (later to become Thomond College of Education and integrated into UL in 1991), Mary and her fellow class members played a key role in shaping the teaching of physical education in Ireland at that time. 

Following her graduation in 1976 and a brief period as a teacher, Mary left for Canada to pursue both a Masters (1980) and an academic career at the University of Victoria. From there she moved to the Ohio State University in the US in 1979. It was here she truly forged her academic career culminating in being awarded her PhD in 1983 and rising to the role of Associate Dean in 2000. In 2003, Mary completed a Management & Leadership in Education Course at Harvard University, Boston. 

Along the way, Mary received numerous international honours including being named as Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology & Physical Education as well as a Member and VP of the Board of Governors of the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education. In September this year, she was the Recipient of the 2007 Research Paper Award, presented in London. 

In 2005, Mary returned to her home city of Limerick and to her alma mater to take up the post as Professor of Physical Education and Youth Sport at UL. She is also responsible for the evolution and development of the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PE PAYS) Research Centre at UL of which she is now Director. Her research interests currently focus on teacher professional development (pre-service and in-service) and educational reform. As a prolific writer, her publication record is considered exceptional. 

Mary's FOS principle – meaning Focus On the Students – is what she models and preaches, according to both her post-graduate students and colleagues. She is described by those who know her best as someone who is “committed, caring, knowledgeable, well prepared and deeply focused on student learning”. 

  

The above text is an extract from the 2007 UL Alumni Awards Souvenir Booklet.