1 Graduation 2017 Summer Ceremonies 2 Graduation 2017 Summer Ceremonies 3 A welcome Dear Graduate from the I am delighted to welcome you and your guests to this summer Alongside your academic achievements, we trust that the skills you graduation ceremony. have acquired, the confidence that you have built, and the firm Vice-Chancellor friendships that you have made will support you in achieving your own Graduation ceremonies are the highlight of the University’s academic personal ambitions in the years ahead. Take time to reflect on your calendar representing, as they do, the public recognition of the success and enjoy the ceremony today. achievements of our students. On behalf of the entire team at Ulster University, I ofer you my warm Your graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of congratulations and wish you every continued success. another – it is a time for celebrating your hard work, commitment and dedication. As a University community we are proud of your With best wishes, accomplishments and wish you every success in your chosen career. Our honorary degrees recognise exceptional individuals who have Welcome made an indelible mark in their field, advancing knowledge, building community, achieving excellence and above all, acting as inspirational Professor Paddy Nixon role models for us all. I hope that their achievements in sport, the arts, Vice-Chancellor and President the economy, engineering, peacebuilding and the community, inspire you as you embark on the next stage of life’s journey. As an Ulster University graduate you remain part of a community that is making a diference across the full spectrum of industry and society. You are now a member of the Ulster Alumni Association with members in branches across the world. Ulster Graduate, our alumni magazine, will keep you in touch with our developments and I hope to read about your stories in the future. 4 Graduation 2017 Summer Ceremonies 5 CONTENTS The Graduation Ceremony ......................7 GRADUATION CEREMONIES Honorary Graduands .................................. 9 Coleraine First Trust Bank Convocation The Diamond Hall, Coleraine campus Student of the Year Award 2017 .........16 Monday 3 July at 11am ..........................28 Doctoral Graduands ................................19 Monday 3 July at 4pm ............................33 Order of Ceremony .................................25 Tuesday 4 July at 11am .........................39 Tuesday 4 July at 4pm ...........................45 Belfast & Jordanstown Belfast Waterfront Wednesday 5 July at 11am ...................52 Wednesday 5 July at 4pm ......................58 Thursday 6 July at 11am........................63 Thursday 6 July at 4pm ..........................69 Ulster EDGE Award and Friday 7 July at 11am .............................75 Ulster EDGE Excel Award ......................108 Friday 7 July at 4pm ...............................83 Ofcers of the University .....................112 Magee Opportunities and ongoing Millennium Forum support at Ulster University ...............114 Monday 10 July at 11am ........................92 Memorabilia ...........................................116 Monday 10 July at 4pm ..........................96 Ulster University Student Fund ..........115 Tuesday 11 July at 11am .....................101 Staying connected ................................118 6 Graduation 2017 Summer Ceremonies 7 The The Graduation Ceremony is for the overall strategic direction and the individual with a distinguished award or the occasion when students governance of the University and over half fellowship. These are not awarded at every Graduation of its membership is drawn from outside ceremony; more than one award or honorary receive their award. It is an the University. Next come the honorary degree may be awarded at a ceremony. Ceremony auspicious and formal event, a awardees, senior administrative staf, rite of passage that celebrates Executive Deans and Pro-Vice-Chancellors Graduating students are presented for their and Provosts. awards by faculty. As the name of each each graduate’s achievement graduate is read out by the Executive Dean and marks the transition from The Executive Deans, Pro-Vice-Chancellors of the Faculty, he or she proceeds across the university to the wider world. and Provosts are senior academic staf stage. Their achievement is recognised by responsible for managerial functions within shaking hands with the Presiding Ofcer who The University’s graduation ceremonies the University. Finally come the Honorary will ofer his congratulations. Graduates and are held on two occasions each year: the Treasurer and Pro-Chancellors, who are the diplomates collect their award certificate winter ceremonies in December and the most senior members of Council, the Vice- prior to returning to their seats. summer ceremonies in July. The first Chancellor and the Chancellor. Where the ceremony on each occasion is known as the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor preside at a If an honorary degree is awarded, the Honorary Congregation and it is at this ceremony that ceremony they are preceded by the Mace- Graduate addresses the congregation, ending the Chancellor or, in the Chancellor’s absence, Bearer carrying the University’s Mace. with an expression of thanks to the University, the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the not only for his or her own award, but also on University’s Statutes, confers “degrees and When all members of the academic behalf of today’s graduates. A representative other academic distinctions” on all students procession have reached their places the of the student body will speak on behalf of who have been deemed eligible by Senate. ceremony begins. The ceremony is presided those graduating today. over by either the Chancellor or the Vice- At the start of each ceremony music Chancellor and begins with the Presiding At the close of the formal proceedings accompanies the arrival of the academic Ofcer’s opening address which reviews the the academic procession leaves the hall in procession which is led by the Stave-Bearer, major issues afecting higher education the reverse order to its arrival, being led out followed by members of the academic staf generally and the University in particular. by the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor, of the faculty from which students are whichever is presiding. The new graduates graduating today. They take their place on Each year the University recognises the and diplomates join the procession after the stage or platform. These are followed by outstanding contribution that a number of the academic staf to symbolise their new members of Senate and Council. Senate is individuals have made to academic life or to status. They meet up with their family, responsible for the academic policy of the society at large. The individuals are chosen for friends and tutors for refreshments, to University and is composed almost entirely their ability to serve as an inspiration and role talk and to take photographs. of academic staf. Council is the governing model for our graduating class. At this point a body of the University and is responsible senior member of the University will present 8 Graduation 2017 Summer Ceremonies 9 Honorary Wendy Blundell OBE Fr Gary Donegan Graduands Monday 3 July at 11am Monday 3 July at 4pm Wendy Blundell, Director of UK Regions of the Institution of Civil Passionist priest, Fr Gary Donegan, is to receive the honorary degree Engineers (ICE), is to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Science of Doctor of Laws (LLD) for his outstanding community work within (DSc) in recognition of her distinguished career in civil engineering and as Northern Ireland. an exceptional role model for young women. Originally from Fermanagh, Fr Donegan spent 15 years as rector in Holy Wendy has been with ICE – a global membership organisation that Cross Church, Ardoyne before recently moving to the Tobar Mhuire retreat promotes and advances civil engineering around the world – since 2001. centre in Crossgar. During her career, she has worked tirelessly to place civil engineering at the heart of society, upholding ICE’s vision to deliver sustainable The prominent cleric, who is well-known for his mediation and peace- development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. building work, served in north Belfast during some of its most turbulent years and has experienced at first hand the efects of trauma in a A frequent commentator on civil engineering issues, Wendy has post-conflict situation. He was involved in dealing with the Holy Cross contributed extensively to government consultations on energy, dispute and throughout his time in north Belfast has worked to improve sustainability and climate change. She has also been an active exponent community relations in the area, overseeing talks with both sides of the of the #thisiscivilengineering social media campaign, a public awareness community. initiative designed to raise the profile of civil engineering projects and highlight how they benefit local communities. Fr Donegan was invited to speak at the United Nations in 2014 on his involvement in conflict resolution in Belfast. As a trailblazer in a profession historically dominated by men, Wendy has been an outstanding role model for young women embarking on a career He was named ‘Person of the Year’ in the 2016 Aisling Awards in Belfast, in civil engineering. and earlier this year, he also received an ‘Exceptional Achievement Award’ from the Community Relations Council for his dedication to promoting She was awarded