Graduation Awards 2018

We had a busy week in the DCU Institute of Education with the class of 2018 graduating and a number of awards to acknowledge the excellence of our students.

Vere Foster Award - Florence Sherry

PME (Primary) who obtained the highest marks in Teaching Practice and Curriculum Areas of Education over the two-year PME programme.
Presented by Dr Margaret Leahy, Fergal Brougham, Vice President of INTO and Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir 

I am from Lusk, Co.Dublin. I currently teach Junior Infants in Lusk Junior National School. I completed a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities (English & Geography) in St.Pats before commencing the PME. I completed an action research project in the discipline of History education exploring the importance of enquiry questions.

Catherine Mahon Award - Mary Conroy

The student who obtained the highest place on the PME (Primary).
Presented by Dr Margaret Leahy

Mary is from Skryne in Co. Meath and attended secondary school in Loreto, Navan. Having completed both an undergraduate degree and a Masters degree in Drama and Theatre Studies Mary worked as an actor for a number of years on stage and screen. Mary is currently teaching in St. Paul's primary school in Ratoath.

John Smith Award - Aoife Fox

For the student who obtained the highest mark in the Research Dissertation on the PME (P).
Presented by Majella O’Dowd and Margaret Leahy.

Aoife Fox. Elphin, Co. Roscommon, past pupil of Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown. Aoife studied Music and French at Maynooth University where she graduated with a double first class honours with distinction. Aoife has just graduated from DCU Institute of Education where she received a first class honours masters degree in primary teaching. Aoife is currently teaching in Scoil Assaim Boys' N.S. in Raheny

TUI Award - Katie McCarthy

Award for the top student on the PME.
Eilish Coghlan, TUI, in attendance

Vere Foster Award- Alice Kelly

The INTO Vere Foster Medal is awarded to the student of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary) who obtained the highest marks in Teaching Practice and Curriculum Areas of Education over the 18 months.
Presented by Prof Catherine Furlong, Feargal Brougham, Vice President of INTO and Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir

Carlisle and Blake Award - Jenny Dempsey

The Carlisle & Blake Award, a Department of Education and Skills award, is awarded to the student achieving the highest marks in Education (Parts I, II and III in Third BEd).
Presented by Mr Diarmuid Dullaghan from the DES Inspectorate

Brian Ruane Award - Alicia Woods

The Brian Ruane award has been inaugurated this year to honour the late Brian Ruane who joined the staff of St Patrick’s College in 2007 as Lecturer in Education (Development and Intercultural Education). Prior to his appointment, Brian had worked as a primary teacher, before specialising in development and human rights education in the late 1990s. Brian made a significant and important contribution to key areas such as School Placement, Ethical Education and Gaeilge. Brian lectured in History Education and Local Studies and married his passion for human rights and global citizenship with his interest in history as a foundational subject in citizenship education and education for democracy. Brian played a full and active role in the incorporation process and was a highly committed and engaged member of the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies up to his untimely death from Motor Neurone Disease in January 2018. Brian was a warm, caring and supportive colleague and friend whose good humour and positivity shone through, even in his final months. He was passionate about global justice, children’s rights and equality and cared deeply about his students. For her thesis 'Embedding Digital Technologies in an Inclusive Classroom'.

Presented by Prof Catherine Furlong
Members of Brian’s family were in attendance

KLOTZ Award - Beth O’Hanlon

The Fred Klotz Memorial Prize, is presented to the BA or BEd student obtaining highest marks in Mathematics.
Presented by Mrs Margaret Klotz

Beth O’Hanlon attended Belgrove Girls School, Clontarf and then Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf. She received an Excellence in Mathematics Award from Holy Faith in 2nd year, 3rd year and 5th year. Beth attended St Patrick’s College, DCU, studying the Bachelor of Education and graduating with a First Class Honours Degree. She studied mathematics as her specialist subject and completed her final year research project on using digital technologies to support students learning English as an additional language. Beth is currently in her first year of teaching 2nd class in Bayside Junior School. Mathematics continues to be a key area of interest for her in her teaching. She aspires to foster a love and interest of mathematics in the students she teaches.

Vincentian Award - Maria Dunne

The Vincentian award is for the top student in the BEd Certificate in Religious Studies.
Presented by Fr Joseph McCann, Vincentian Community

Mark Morgan Award - Katie O’Reilly

The Mark Morgan Medal was inaugurated this year to honour Professor Mark Morgan, who joined the staff of the College in 1970. He was Director of the MEd Programme for many years, prior to his appointment as Head of Education in 2002. Professor Morgan retired from that position in 2010.

It is awarded to the student who received the Highest overall Grade in the Masters of Education programme.
Presented by Prof Mark Morgan

IATSE Award - Noreen Cronin

The student who achieved the highest overall marks on the Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education, Learning Support and Special Education.
Presented by Muriel Weekes, IATSE

Raymond Topley Award - Sarah Kirwan

The Raymond Topley award is for the top student in the BEd Religious Studies specialism.
Presented by Dr Gareth Byrne, Director MDCCE

John O’Connor Award - Karen Hickey

Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching
Presented by Margaret McDonnell, Business Teachers’ Association

Joe Dunne Medal Award - Deirdre Madden

At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduation Ceremony in The Helix, 8 November, the Joe Dunne Medal was awarded to Deirdre Madden by Dr Andrew O'Shea for the student receiving the highest marks overall in the subject of Human Development.