Professor Vincent Cunnane has conferred his final student as President of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), bringing to an estimated 35,000 the number of graduates he has personally conferred during his years at the helm of three higher education institutions.
The milestone came at the end of a week in which 3,109 students graduated from TUS, with 1,331 conferred at the Athlone Campus and 1,778 at the Moylish Campus in Limerick.
Among them were provincial GAA champions, international rugby and soccer players, a couple who found love while studying hospitality, a dad whose third child arrived as he completed his Master’s, and a Limerick graduate who persevered with her studies following the loss of her mother.
The founding President of TUS admitted he was feeling emotional as he presided over his final conferring ceremony in Limerick on Friday.
Fittingly for an academic whose own career began in scientific research, the final student to cross the stage was James Ryan, from Mungret, Limerick, who was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy for research into how advanced technology can make workplaces safer.
Professor Cunnane, who will retire at the end of January, said graduation ceremonies had been among the most rewarding experiences of his presidency.
“Graduations are where it all comes together, where all those stories culminate in success.
“And they walk across the stage as equals, as professionals, as people with a future.
“And for me, that’s just the magic of being in this role. And I’m going to miss it terribly.”
Sporting talent featured prominently among this year’s graduates at both Athlone and Moylish.
At the Athlone Campus, county footballers Brían Cooney and Matthew Whittaker graduated just months after helping Westmeath claim the Leinster title, while Declan Kenny was part of the Roscommon panel which lifted the Connacht title.
The three, who have also played together in TUS colours, marked the occasion by doing some solos after their conferrings with Professor Cunnane.
Brían, who plays his club football with Coralstown/Kinnegad, graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Science with Exercise Physiology.
“As a young lad, it was always about football for me and a lifelong dream of climbing the Hogan Stand steps. To be honest, winning the provincial title was a bigger success for me, but graduating today is a close second, for sure. It is a very proud moment.”
There was more sporting talent among the graduates at the Moylish Campus, where Munster and Ireland rugby player Chisom Ugwueru, Clare senior hurler Niall O’Farrell, Tipperary senior hurler Seán Keanneally and Treaty United soccer player Colin Conroy celebrated their academic achievements.
The four combined their studies with competing at their respective codes while studying programmes within the Department of Sports and Early Childhood Studies.
Clare native Chisom graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sports Development and Performance.
“Standing on the stage, I couldn’t believe that I had made it. It is hard to balance everything, the early mornings and the late evenings, and trying to get to college the next day. There were points when I wondered, ‘Can I keep going?’
“There were sacrifices on both ends, but it is great now to be here today. I feel so accomplished. I just wanted to graduate and now I have done it.”
For Emma Lowry and Hannah Finneran, graduation at the Athlone Campus marked another milestone in a relationship which began at TUS.
Emma, from Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, graduated with First Class Honours in Culinary Entrepreneurship, while Hannah, from Athlone, Co Westmeath, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hospitality Management with International Placement.
The pair met in first year and became friends before romance blossomed after they worked together during the summer of their third year.
“We met in first year on two different courses and became friends over time. Then, after working together over the summer in third year, we got into a relationship and have been together ever since,” said Emma.
“It is really nice to be able to graduate together. We feel very lucky to be able to do it together and we are very happy.”
There was also a family celebration for Limerick man Mark Tierney, whose leadership skills were put to a very practical test when his third child arrived as he completed the final project for his Master’s.
Mark, from Corbally, graduated with a Master’s in Leadership at the Athlone Campus, with his wife Sadhbh and their four-month-old baby, Jesse, there to celebrate.
Their two older boys, Ben, aged six, and James, aged three, stayed at home for the big day.
“Just as I was working through the project, our baby arrived. I had been planning to get it all done before he arrived so I could help my wife, Sadhbh,” said Mark.
“Sadhbh is here to celebrate with me today because she put in as much work to get this as I did. She deserves this as much as me, if not more.”
For Jane Gregg, graduation at the Moylish Campus was a particularly poignant occasion.
Jane, from Ballyneety in Limerick, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care after losing her mother, Antoinette, to ovarian cancer during the second year of her studies.
“It was a tough few years with everything that I went through, but I am delighted I made it through until the end,” said Jane. “It is overwhelming, but a very proud moment.”
Jane was just two weeks into a work placement during her second year when her mother passed away following a 16-month battle with ovarian cancer.
“There were a few moments where I thought, ‘Will I be able to keep going with this?’ But the college was so helpful. The lecturers were so kind. If I needed anything academically or personally, they were so helpful.”
Having persevered with her studies, Jane said her mother was very much in her thoughts as she celebrated her graduation.
“I do have a big feeling today that she is watching down on me and I know she would be very proud if she was here. I wish she was, but I am doing it for her too and I am glad I have done it.”
