50 and counting – UL Alumni Awards 2022 honours the achievements of outstanding graduates

UL Alumni Awards 2022 go to President and Coillte CEO Imelda HurleyIBEC President and Coillte CEO Imelda Hurley, (retired) Colonel Colm Doyle of the Irish Defence Forces and former United Nations Chief of Staff at the Military Division at the Department of Peacekeeping Operation and Linda Ledger, CEO of St Munchin’s Community Centre. Picture:  Arthur Ellis.

The UL Alumni Awards 2022 recipients are Imelda Hurley, Colonel Colm Doyle and Linda Ledger

A trio of University of Limerick graduates received high honours at an awards ceremony this past Saturday night.

It brings to 50 the total number of graduates honoured by the University of Limerick Alumni – fitting in the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the University.

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The 15^th annual UL Alumni Awards 2022 Gala Dinner was held in Castletroy Park Hotel this Saturday night, the first time the event has been held since prior to the pandemic.

The annual awards, hosted by UL Alumni, celebrate the achievements of outstanding graduates.

The UL Alumni Awards 2022 recipients are IBEC President and Coillte CEO Imelda Hurley, (retired) Colonel Colm Doyle of the Irish Defence Forces and former United Nations Chief of Staff at the Military Division at the Department of Peacekeeping Operation, and Linda Ledger, CEO of St Munchin’s Community Centre.

During the ceremony, there was a moment’s applause to remember UL alumna, former staff member and honorary doctorate recipient Dr Vicky Phelan. Previous Alumni Award recipient Peter Real, former VP at Analog Devices and whose family were in attendance, was also remembered.

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey said: “The poignancy of our appreciation should be seen through the prism of respect for all, as the people within our community – students and staff alike – is what we consider to be our greatest strength. 

“Three times a year during our Winter, Summer and Autumn graduations, we get to share in the celebrations of our student successes. 

“We are immensely proud of our graduates, for they are what fuels that talent pipeline that this institution, this region and beyond, what this country is famed for.

“The achievements of our alumni, of which there are over 118,000, can be seen and witnessed all over the world and that treasury of talent that we have shared far and wide, reflects enormously well on us. 

“This magnificent cohort of talented individuals are the embodiment of the story we want to tell at University of Limerick.

“Worldwide, as University of Limerick graduates continue to make enormous contributions via their chosen life paths, their achievements reflect enormously well on their alma mater. 

“The Alumni Awards programme is designed to recognise graduates who have made an outstanding contribution in particular fields. 

“Our first ever UL Alumni Awards ceremony was hosted by in 2006 and to date, we have honoured the work and lives of 47 graduates. 

“Tonight, we bring the membership of that illustrious group to 50…. A fitting number given this, our year of celebrations,” Professor Mey added.

Over 200 guests attended the event which Bank of Ireland sponsored with event partners Analog Devices, Cantor Fitzgerald, Ingenium and Stryker Ireland.

The MC was UL alumna, broadcaster and presenter Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh.

The inaugural UL Alumni Awards ceremony was first hosted in 2006 and previous recipients include Tony Ward, Jean Butler, Professor Brigid Laffan and Dr Hugh O’Donnell.

2022 Award Recipients:

Ms Imelda Hurley – BBS 1994 – Outstanding Contribution/Business

Col Colm Doyle – MA International Studies 1994 – Outstanding Contribution/Humanitarian

Ms Linda Ledger – Dip Project Management 2012 – Outstanding Contribution/Society

Find out more information about UL 50

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