News

14th October 2009 - American College Dublin/HETAC Conferring and Irish American University Commencement Exercises

On Wednesday, 14th October 2009, the Irish American University held its thirteenth Conferring Ceremony at St. Ann’s Church on Dawson Street.

During the ceremony over one hundred students were conferred with degrees in various disciplines. These students came from all over the world including Ireland, United Kingdom, America, Bangladesh, Brazil, Croatia, China, Germany, India, Korea, Lithuania, Mauritius, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Russia.

Degrees in the following disciplines were awarded during the ceremony:

• Master of Business Studies in International Business
• Bachelor of Arts in International Business – Management
• Bachelor of Arts in International Business – Marketing
• Bachelor or Arts in Behavioural Science – Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

Ms. Valerie Biden Owens, National Chair for US Presidential Campaign of Joe Biden delivering the Keynote Address at the American College Dublin/ HETAC Conferring & Irish American University Commencement Exercises on 14th October 2009.

In her keynote address Valerie highlighted three lessons that she has learned through experience in her own life. She stated "Confidence is the number one prerequiste for success", "Out of all the bad things that happen us in life - good will come" and last but not least "It's the ordinary in life that makes life extraordinary." The accompanying stories in her address illustrustrated these points very poignantly.

Mr. Gearoid O Conluain, Chief Executive of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, presenting the Statement of Directives for the American College Dublin HETAC Conferring Ceremony 14th October 2009.

Ms Simone Doherty, giving the Welcome Address to her fellow graduates and guests for the Class of 2009 at the American College Dublin HETAC Conferring Ceremony & Irish American University Commencement Exercises 14th October 2009.

This year’s Welcome Address for the class of 2009 was given by Simone Doherty who welcomed her fellow graduates and guests to the Conferring Ceremony. In her speech Simone reported "I’m sure most of us are now thinking: “Isn’t it typical that we graduate just as a world-wide recession hits?” It is not only us who are facing an uncertain path; Ireland is moving into uncertain and challenging territory. But it is times like these that build character and substance."

Graduates of the Higher Education Training Awards Council programs at the American College Dublin Graduation Ceremony

Students were conferred with Masters of Business Studies, Bachelor of Arts, International Business, Management, Bachelor of Arts, International Marketing and Bachelor of Arts, Behavioural Science, Psychology.

Mr. Gearoid O Conluain, Chief Executive of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, presenting HETAC Student of the Year Award to Ms. Kamila Janik. Kamila, obtained 1st Class Honours degree in Behavioural Science, Psychology.

Graduates of the Irish American University Graduates at the Irish American University Exercises 14th October 2009.

Dr. Rory McEntegart highlighted an milestone in the institutions history in his opening speech, "This year’s graduation ceremony marks the passage of the one thousandth graduate from American College Dublin; it is with the passing of this auspicious milestone that I have the great privilege and pleasure to introduce this, the first commencement exercises for Irish American University."

A group of Graduates representing China photographed with the H. E. Liu Biwei Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland after receiving their parchments.

The Graduation Ceremony was attended by ambassador representing the following countries, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Estonia, Latvia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Morocco, Norway, Nigeria, Pakistan, Slovenia, Sweden, United States of America and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Donald E. Ross, President Irish American University, Ms. Valerie Biden Owens, National Chair for US Presidential Campaign of Joe Biden being conferred with Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the conferring ceremony

Ms. Marsha Broin, President, Rasta Thomas LLC and Member of the Board of Overseers of American College reading the Proclamation during the presentation of Honorary Degree on Valerie Biden Owens.

Ms. Borin read in the proclamation "Valerie Bidden Owens is considered to be among the first women in the United States to have managed a modern U.S. Senatorial campaign as well as a Presidential campaign."

Dr. Donald E. Ross, President Irish American University, Mr. Patrick J. Rooney, Chief Executive, Investment Corporation and Mrs. Helen Ross, Member of the American College Board of Overseers, at the American College Dublin Graduation Ceremony on 17th October 2008

During the ceremony, Irish American University bestowed an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters upon Mr. Patrick J. Rooney. In September 1995 the library at the Irish American University was formally dedicated and named the Rooney Library in honour of his family as he provided much needed funding and continues to support and meet the University’s growing needs.

Winner of the Master’s Student of the Year Award, Ms. Aminath Shifana Ahmed with Dr. Joseph A. Rooney, Provost for Institutional Advancement and Member of the Board of Overseers of American College.

The Irish American University Master’s Student of the Year award is presented to the student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance in completing one of the institution’s master’s degree programmes.

Mr. John P. Garniewski, Vice President & Managing Director, Wilmington Family Office Inc and Member of the Board of Overseers of American College, pictured with Ms. Amy Yin Zhang the winner of the Irish American University Overseers’ Medal.

Each year the American College Board of Overseers award their Overseers’ Medal to the student who they feel most epitomises the Irish American University spirit and this year the recipient was Ms Amy Yin Zhang who graduated with a Master in Business Studies in International Business.

Irish American University Faculty 2009

The Graduation Ceremony is the highlight of the academic year for the students and faculty of Irish American University and the thirteenth conferral will be remembered as one of the most outstanding to date.