Almost five hundred students graduated today (11 September 2006) from
the College of Business and Law on the first day of UCC's week-long
Autumn Conferring Ceremonies. Among those who graduated were 56
with a BSc (Accounting) followed by 95 with a BSc (Business Information
Systems). Nineteen graduated with a BSc (Mutual & Credit
Union Business). There were 55 BComm European (with French,
German, Irish, Italian, Spanish); 56 BSc (Finance) and 48 BSc
(Government and Public Policy). One hundred and thirty graduated
with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. There were two PhDs in
Commerce and four MScs. A further 16 students graduated with an
MBS (Electronic Business and Commerce) and, also, 15 MBS (MIS &
Managerial Accounting).
The Conferring addresses were given by Mr Dermot Gleeson, Chairman, AIB
Group and Mr Jerry Henchy, Chief Executive, Dairygold Co-op. UCC
President, Professor Gerard Wrixon, paid a tribute to the late Jonathan
Herlihy.
Text of Tribute to the late Jonathan Herlihy by Professor Gerard
Wrixon, President, UCC at the conferring ceremony, 12.30pm, 11
September 2006.
I wish to pay tribute to Jonathan Herlihy who should be graduating
today with his class receiving a BSc Honours degree in Finance.
Everyone who knew Jonathan has a story to tell which reflects his
spirit and commitment to everything he undertook. His previous
rescue in the US of a child displayed a person with an innate sense of
courage who never hesitated in going to the aid of another, which he
again displayed last Sunday and for which he paid the highest
price. Jonathan displayed a bravery and a sense of values which
is truly admirable and is a reflection not only of himself and his
family but also on you, his classmates and friends. The numbers
of you who joined daily in the search for Jonathan are a reflection of
the bond that existed between you, and what should have been a day of
great celebration for you all, is overshadowed by the immense feeling
of loss that you all share.
We have heard over the past week of Jonathan's sporting activities at
which he excelled. His exploits on the gaelic football and soccer
fields, were examples of a commitment and an enthusiasm he had about
everything he did. Apart from his success as a minor footballer
and with the UCC soccer team, I understand that whenever a tournament
was run between two Finance class teams, the winning team was always
the one on which Jonathan was playing.
We should be celebrating today the academic achievements of Johnny,
along with you, his classmates and friends. In his studies, as in
his sport, he was a consistently high achiever. Keep him in your
thoughts and let his spirit inspire you to give of your best as he did
and be grateful that you had the privilege of being friends with such
an exceptional person. As you graduate today with all of
life's possibilities in front of you, remember that the ultimate
barometer of success in life will not be defined by the career path you
follow, but your ability to touch the lives of others and inspire good
in society, a lesson which Johnny has so undoubtedly taught us.
May he rest in peace.
At the request of the class, a Message Book will be available in the Aula Maxima after this conferring ceremony.
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