GMIT Fellowships awarded to seven outstanding individuals

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) honoured seven outstanding individuals with Honorary Fellowships at a special GMIT conferring ceremony in Galway on Friday 24 May, attended by 200 invited guests.

The inaugural GMIT Fellowships were conferred on the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, in recognition of his service to public life, award-winning businessman Dr Bernard Collins for his contribution to industry, Theologian Reverend Professor Enda McDonagh for his contribution to education, GAA sportsman and All Ireland medal winner Pádraic Joyce for his contribution to sport, actor and co-founder of The Druid Theatre Marie Mullen for her work in the arts, Prof Seamas Caulfield for his contribution to Irish history and community, and milliner/designer Philip Treacy for his contribution to business.

Speaking at the Fellowships ceremony, the President of GMIT Michael Carmody said: “This is the first time in the 40 year history of the Institute the Governing Body of GMIT has decided to award honorary fellowships. The fellowships publicly recognise the contribution each of the recipients has made in their chosen field and celebrates their achievements.”

GMIT celebrates its 40th anniversary this academic year (2012/13). RTC Galway opened its doors on Monday 18 September, 1972, with 1,213 students on campus. Today, GMIT has almost 8,000 full and part-time students in five campuses across Galway and Mayo with graduates working all over the world in a range of disciplines. Read more about GMIT’s history: http://www.gmit.ie/40th/index.html