UCC's top graduate is Raphael Ó Muirthile. The Graduate of the
Year was announced at the 2005 Prizegiving Ceremony at UCC (27
February 2006) at which 44 undergraduate and postgraduate prizes were
presented to over 61 prizewinners by Professor Gerard T. Wrixon,
President, UCC.
An outstanding student from Wilton Avenue, Bishopstown Cork, Raphael Ó
Muirthile graduated with an Honours BSc (Applied Mathematics and Mathematics) in
2005. He was awarded a College Scholarship for 2001/'02 and
held the distinction of College Scholar for 2002/'03 and 2003/'04.
Throughout his undergraduate career he played a key role in the
Philosophical Society, winning the runner- up position in the national
maidens debating competition, and was one of four speakers to represent
the society at the annual Cambridge Union Debating intervarsity.
He went on to become Philosophical Society Development Officer during
2002/'03 in a year when the Society won 'Society of the Year'. As
a member of the Law Society, he represented the society at the World
University Debating Championships in Toronto and Singapore.
Raphael was elected as Vice-President of the Societies Guild in 2003
initiating the development of the 'Societies Guide' which today plays a
major part of the Guild's effort in informing students about student
life. He also participated in the activities of the Green Party
and Mathematical Society representing the latter as a team member of
the International Mathematical Competition in Modelling in 2003 when
the team achieved a Meritorious ranking award.
The Graduate of the Year Award is given annually to the most
distinguished student of the year. In making this award, both
academic distinctions and the part played in the public life of the
University are taken into consideration. In accepting the
'Graduate of the Year Award' Raphael said "I am deeply honoured to
accept this award and proud to be a graduate of UCC where I formed
enduring friendships and benefited so much from my participation in
student societies. I feel I have been fortunate to get the
opportunities that UCC, and my family, have given me." Raphael is
attached to the AIB, College Road, Cork. He was also awarded one
of the coveted Peel Memorial Prizes.
Two new prizes are being awarded for the first time this year. Shane
Toomey from Glasheen, Cork City, is the recipient of The James D.
Donegan Moot Court Prize. This prize is to be awarded annually to the
student who in the opinion of the judges is the outstanding speaker at
the Annual Gala Moot Court. The prize is generously donated by S.
Donegan & Co. Solicitors, Cobh, Co. Cork. Jim Donegan was the
fourth successive generation of his family to practice as a solicitor
in Cork. He studied law at UCC and, after qualifying as a solicitor, he
practised in Cork city and county for a period of 50 years. During that
time he served with distinction as President of the Southern Law
Association, as Dean of the Notaries Public in Ireland and as a Council
Member of the Law Society of Ireland.
To mark the opening of the School of Pharmacy at UCC, Sam McCauley
Chemists have offered an annual prize to the student with the best
overall aggregate in the Foundation Sciences Modules in first and
second year. The prizewinner is Katherine J. Cooke from Skibbereen,
Co. Cork.
Professor Gerard T. Wrixon, President, UCC
presented the awards at today's prizegiving and congratulated the
prizewinners for their hard work, dedication to their studies and their
excellence in academic scholarship. He also offered his
congratulations to their parents for the support they have provided and
continue to provide. In his speech Professor Wrixon referred to
UCC's selection as Ireland's University of the Year by The Sunday Times
for the second time in three years. "This prestigious award reflects
UCC's outstanding reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching and
research. The award gives specific recognition to our success in
research funding, which positions UCC as the leading research
institution in Irish third-level education" said the President.
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