Inside NCI

News Features Interviews

Student NewsGraduation 2008Alumni News

www.ncirl.ie

School of CommunityLaunched

Honorary

January 09

The magazine for friends of National College of Ireland

Legendsin Your Lunchtime

2008Conferring

Issue 1

President’s WelcomeWelcome to the first edition of Inside NCI, the newmagazine for friends of National College of Ireland. We willbe circulating this about three times a year, to help keep youup to date with some of the many initiativeshappening at the College.

I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the festive period and arerested and ready to embrace the challenges of this newyear. Reflecting on 2008, I am proud of how much weaccomplished as a team and, while we can’t squeezeeverything into these few pages, I welcome the opportunityto share some of the highlights with you.

In January ‘08, we adopted a new five year Strategic Planand at a special signing ceremony in the College, staffmembers committed to our new mission statement: towiden participation in higher education and unlock eachstudent's potential. We offer students the opportunity toacquire the skills and self-confidence to change their lives,contribute to a knowledge based economy and becomeresponsible, active citizens.

Following on from the strategic process, we took thedecision to establish a new School of Community Studies.We were delighted that President Mary McAleese agreed tolaunch the School in November last year. While the Collegehas been in the community regeneration space for morethan 10 years, the formal establishment of this school movesour aspirations onto a new level. Projects are now activelyunderway in the Docklands, Ballymun, the Liberties andLimerick.

For many of us at National College of Ireland,Graduation remains the pinnacle of College life. Theceremonies took place in the RDS in late October and werea celebration of achievement, emphasising the powerfulforce of education in people’s lives. As part ofGraduation, NCI conferred an Honorary Fellowship onwriter Maeve Binchy, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD andbusinessman and Group CEO of Smurfit Kappa, GaryMcGann. In addition to their national impact, each has madean immense personal contribution to the success of theCollege throughout the years.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of youwho have helped us in our work to date, and to encourageyou to continue to champion the NCI cause. The College isblessed with a strong and supportive Governing Body, adedicated workforce, an engaged student body and anactive, involved local community. It is thanks to thecommitment of the entire NCI community that we continueto thrive and to make our voice heard.

Best wishes,

Dr. Paul MooneyPresident

2008 in PicturesThe Three Degrees

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to the inauguraledition of Inside NCI. Wehope you enjoy thisround-up of news, views andevents from across NationalCollege of Ireland.

To help us make the nextedition even better, drop usa line with your feedback toinside@ncirl.ie. We’d love tohear your views. If there’sanything you’d like us toinclude, just let us know.

For more regular updates onwhat’s happening at NCI,please check out the News &Events section of ourhomepage at www.ncirl.ie.

Special thanks go to all thecontributors to thispublication:

Editor:Emma Kytzia

Editorial:Beatrice CantalejoEmma KytziaNeal NewmanRobert Ward

Design:Gráinne McElroy

Photography:Bonnie CullenEmma FryGráinne McElroyColin Whitston

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Arts Circle News

9

The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club

Student Fashion show

Alumni

24

In this

6

7

Student News12

Launch of the School ofCommunity Studies

8

Arts Circle

10

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15

Issue...

Hats Off: Graduation 2008

The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club

Legends in yourLunchtime

FoundationSpecial Achievement Awards16

NCI: 01 4498500

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8

10

16

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www.ncirl.ie

Recent Publications

Two Minute Interview

Pictures

DesperateExecutives, thelatestpublication byNCI presidentDr. PaulMooney, waslaunched inMarch with theassistance ofsome real-lifeNCI execs!

Time for Tea? Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has a quick

cuppa at the launch of NCI’s Early Learning Initiative.

2008 in

NCI’s annualstaff andstudents SportsDay took placein March.

02

Eoghan Connolly, Chloe Gaynor, CalvinNolan and Samantha Corcoran (City QuayNational School) were among the 138Docklands school children who won a

Stretch to Learn Award in May.

Smiles all round from the sportsday winning team.

First class students of St. Laurence O’Toole’s(Seville Place, D1) performing at the launch ofNCI’s Early Learning Initiative in January.

Seán Haughey,

TD, Minister for

Lifelong Learning

at the

Department of

Education and

Science,

launched the

Learning At Work

seminar in May,

organised by the

National College

of Ireland with the

National Centre

for Partnership

and Performance

(NCPP).

Bright Sparks: NCI enters the Newstalk106 – 108 fm Student Enterprise Competitionin October.

03

The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D, waswelcomed to the College in June.

Vice presidentAnne Breakell (farleft) with HRDirector AnnNoonanlaunches NCI’sTeachingFellowshipScheme inDecember, torecognise andrewardexcellence inteaching.

9 - year-old David Dykas enjoyed the EarlyLearning Initiative’s Family Readingcelebration in October.

NCI’S Governing Body at their December Board Meeting.L-R: Denis O’Brien, NCI Chairman & CEO, Communicorp; KimO’Sullivan, NCI; Eoin O’ Driscoll, MD, Aderra; Fr Noel Barber SJ;Eddie Sullivan, Interim CEO, FAS; Peter McLoone, GeneralSecretary, IMPACT; Des Gibney, NCI; Kelly Scales, president NCISU; Aine Hyland, Former VP University College Cork; Dr. PaulMooney, president, NCI. Not Pictured: Brendan McGinty, IBEC;Dr Tony White, Milltown Institute. David Simpson, Shenick Group;William Attley; John McGarrigle, NCI

My congratulationsgo to Bertie andmy thanks to theNational College ofIreland for givingme the chance topay tribute to agreat friend andcolleague.

Tony Blair

‘

’

05

As part of the NCI Graduation ceremonies inOctober, the distinction of an honoraryfellowship was conferred upon formerTaoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, writer MaeveBinchy and Group CEO of Smurfit Kappa, GaryMcGann. This continues the College’s longtradition of honouring those who have attaineddistinction in the arts, literature, business orcivic life, and who have rendered exceptionalcommunity service.

The citation for Bertie Ahern was delivered byFr. Noel Barber, and included a message fromthe former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.Mr. Blair recalled the immense contribution theformer Taoiseach made to the peace process,saying: “After our respective elections wemanaged to get the IRA back on ceasefire andthen to persuade the Unionists to stay in thetalks. For the first time the two sides werenegotiating in the same room…I will neverforget Bertie returning from his mother’sfuneral to conclude the deal and it was Bertie’spragmatism that managed to help us find asolution on some of the crucial issues such asthe question of North/South bodies.”

The citation also noted Mr. Ahern’s strongrelationship with NCI, dating back to its time inRanelagh and continuing to this day.

Conferring of honorary fellowships at NCIThe Three Degrees:

Mr. O’Driscoll commented that Gary McGannexemplifies all that is best in a generation of Irishbusiness leaders who put in the ‘hard yards’, movingIreland beyond an agricultural economy to onecharacterised by knowledge and creativity.

He also highlighted Mr. McGann’s belief in the powerof education to change lives, saying: “Gary has longrecognised how important it is for young peoplefrom every walk of life, from every community, fromevery corner of Ireland to have access to highereducation. His care and compassion for NCI, and ourcause to make universal access to higher educationa reality, is deeply felt.”

NCI president Dr. Paul Mooney said that the“invaluable personal support of each of theseremarkable people has helped the College to reachthousands of people with our core message thateducation changes lives. This message of hope, ourmission, is what distinguishes NCI and as a mark ofappreciation and gratitude, I am delighted to awardBertie Ahern, Maeve Binchy and Gary McGann with anHonorary Fellowship of National College of Ireland.”

Eoin O’Driscolldelivered thecitation for GaryMcGann, who hasrecently beenannouncedBusiness Person ofthe Year by Businessand Financemagazine. As CEO ofthe SmurfitKappa Group, Mr .McGann heads upan Irish multinationalcompany with an€8bn turnover and40,000 employees inover 30 countries.

Maeve Binchy’s citation was delivered byProfessor Aine Hyland, who spoke about thetremendous happiness the much loved writerprovides to millions of readers, and herselfless commitment to and belief in the NCImission.

H e i s a l e a d e r w h o h e l p e dt r a n s f o r m u s f r o m w h a t t h eEconomist Magazine labelled as the‘Poorest of the Rich’ in 1988 to anIreland that was featured on thecover of the Economist as ‘Europe’sShining Light’ a decade later.

‘’

Maeve Binchy with her husband, writer Gordon Snell

Hats off to the 866 students whograduated from 55 programmesover 2 days, at NCI’s recentGraduation Ceremonies in the RDS.

Addressing the latest graduates,NCI president Dr. Paul Mooney said:“In 1951, NCI was founded by theJesuits as the Workers College – asa way to tackle educationaldisadvantage. Almost 60 years laterthis mission remains valid. The realmeasure of Jesuit inspireduniversities lies in who our studentsbecome…

Graduation 2008Starting early:Caroline Begley,from Galway, andher babydaughter

Valerie Brett,from Fethard,Co. Tipperary,received herPhD at the firstceremony onThursday 30thOctober

Daniele Gouveia, DeclanDonoghue, JoannaRozmyslovic and SarahCarolan graduated onFriday 31st October

Sharp Suits:Essential for Alain Bertrand &his nephew Sean Yembeau

Aoife Byrne with Ciaran Doyle, Cormac Dunneand Gareth Cahill, all from Wicklow

Hats Off

You now need to takeyour newfound talentsand become an activeand responsible citizen.The strong support theweak. NCI does not seeitself as just a degreefactory. We want toleave a positive legacyin the achievement ofour students”.

He went on to say:“Today, we are proud tobe witnesses to yoursuccess and wish youevery joy and happinessfor the future. On behalfof all of the NationalCollege of Ireland team,enjoy your graduationday. You’ve certainlyearned it.”

06

In the pink:

Is there a Dr. inthe house?

High Achievers:

With her first book launch in over 8 yearsMaeve Binchy broke her publicity‘retirement’ in May 2008, coming out insupport of National College of Irelandfor the launch of her latest book, TheMaeve Binchy Writers’ Club.

As a long time supporter andfriend of NCI, Maeve generouslydonated all royalties to the College

‘The most important thing torealise is that everyone iscapable of telling a story. Itdoesn’t matter where wewere born or how we grewup…’ Maeve Binchy

RecentPublications

NCI lecturerMichele Kehoebrings out thedefinitive textfor examsuccess.Published byGill &Macmillan.

The latestrelease in theChanging Worldof Work series.Edited by NCIlecturer TimHastings andpublished bythe LiffeyPress.

Make that GradeOrganisationalBehaviour

Inspired by a course run by theCollege, the book gives a uniqueinsight into how a No.1 bestsellingauthor writes. It comprises 20 lettersfrom Maeve, offering advice, tips andher own wonderfully witty take on thelife of a writer, in addition tocontributions from top writers,publishers and editors.

A crowd of over 200people gathered in theNCI Atrium

The Maeve Binchy and Gordon Snell chairsare a permanent fixture in the College

Over 100 aspiring writersgraduated from the programme,which ran from September 2003to March 2004. Together withNational College of Ireland, Maevedesigned the course and eachw e e k , a t t e n d e e s r e c e i v e dinvaluable help and direction.

The resulting book is published byOrion and includes expert advicefrom Marian Keyes, Alison Walsh,Norah Casey, Paula Campbell, IvyBannister, Seamus Hosey, GeraldDawe, Jim Culleton, Ferdia McAnnaand Julie Parsons - many of whomwere present at the launch.

The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club

The State of theUnions: ChallengesFacing OrganisedLabour in Ireland

Maeve takes time to “Talk to Joe”

Memories Milestonesand New HorizonsReflections on theRegeneration ofBallymunA collection ofessaysincluding onefrom NCI'sDean of theSchool ofCommunityStudies,Michele Ryan.Published byBlackstaff Press.

07

new School at NCINCI celebrated a major milestone when the Presidentof Ireland, Mary McAleese, officially launched thenew School of Community Studies on Tuesday,November 11th.

Speaking at the event, she said: "The NationalCollege of Ireland is intent on building up theproblem-solving skills of communities and inpromoting successful, high-achieving communities.It deserves our gratitude and our respect for thepioneering way in which it takes learning beyond theclassroom and out into the community."

College president Dr. Paul Mooney commented: “It isoften said that at NCI, there is no separate accessdepartment – because educational opportunity andcommunity engagement lie at the heart of everythingthat the College does. However, in the move toestablishing a distinct and separate School ofCommunity Studies, which will sit alongside theexisting Schools of Business and Computing, theCollege is making an important statement. It isunderpinning its commitment to this work in thecommunity, and moving it right into themainstream of College activities.”

The National College ofIreland is intent on buildingup the problem-solving skillso f commun i t i e s and inp romo t i ng succe s s f u l ,high-achieving communities

‘’The School was established following a

consultation process with community, staff andother stakeholders last year. From this process,NCI emerged with a new mission, and a newsense of mission: to widen participation inhigher education and unlock each student’spotential. NCI offers students the opportunityto acquire the skills and self-confidence tochange their lives, contribute to a knowledgebased economy and become responsible,active citizens.

The new School offers both FETAC and HETACaccredited programmes across a range ofsubjects including Community Organising,Social Studies and Mediation Theory andPractice. From January, a new part-time BAdegree programme will also be available inActive Citizenship for Social Change.

For more information on the work of the School,please contact Thomas Mallon, School Manager, on01 4498602 or tmallon@ncirl.ie

President launches

President McAleese with the staff ofthe new School of Community Studies

08President McAleese meets past student MargaretTyrell and a potential future NCI student.

Morna Ryan meets President McAleese

arts circleNews

On Monday, 13th October, National Collegeof Ireland unveiled a new artwork that wascreated by over 150 young people. Thepiece was commissioned by NationalCollege of Ireland from The Ark, A CulturalCentre for Children.

National College of Ireland actively engages in a variety of artistic andcultural activities under the guidance of the College’s Arts Circle. As anintegral part of a well-rounded education, arts can teach young peopleto be more tolerant and open to new experiences, while at the sametime helping them to acquire wisdom and insight, love of aestheticbeauty and a sense of civic responsibility..

Chaired by Veronica Campbell, ( the Campbell Bewley Group) the ArtsCircle includes Youth Arts consultant Rebecca Bartlett; CEO of St.Patrick’s Festival, Donal Shiels; Executive Arts & Culture Manager withthe DDDA, Mary McCarthy, and PWC’s Johanna Dehaene.

In May, NCI hosted Urban Noise,the North East Inner City YouthArts Festival Showcase. Apartnership of five local youthprojects, (the East Wall Youth,SWAN Youth Services,Ballybough Youth, LYCS YouthProgramme and AdventureSports Project) and the FireStation Artists Studios. TheFestival Showcase involves over80 young people who workintensively with a team ofprofessional artists over a twomonth period. The focus is on artforms which are of particularrelevance to young people’surban experience today - GraffitiArt, Rap, DJ-ing, Circus Skillsand Dance.

The piece mimics the forest canopy, with lightfiltering through colourful birds, insects,reptiles and animals created by children fromfive inner-city schools: St Laurence O'Toole'sGirls School and St. Laurence O’Toole’s CBS(Seville Place, Dublin 1); St Patrick's GirlsNational School and St. Patrick’s Boys NationalSchool (Ringsend, Dublin 4) and O’Connell’sPrimary School (North Richmond Street,Dublin 1).

L-R Director of August Rush and Disco Pigs Kirsten Sheridan,Colette Farrell of Calipo Theatre and Picture Company andVeronica Campbell, Chair of NCI’s Arts Circle at the premier.

Youth Arts Festival

Cast members of 'Round Here', a short film that allowed12 young people from the Dublin Docklands to fulfilltheir dream of making a first film, thanks to acollaboration between National College of Ireland, CalipoTheatre and Picture Company, and the Sheriff Street AfterSchools Education and Support Programme.

Bright Heights and Bushy Tails

Pupils from St. Patrick’s Girls National School atthe launch in October.

09

The playershave to begood for thegame to begood ... I’mGiovanniTrapattoni.I’m not God.

‘

’

Legends in your Lunchtime

The previous week, Giovanni Trapattoni kicked offthe series. Newstalk presenter Ger Gilroy kept thefocus on Trap’s own inspiring performance as botha player and a coach. Trapattoni shared his thoughtson motivating young players on the Irish squad,spotting the players today that are theleaders of tomorrow and whether it’s possible todevelop leadership in young players. He commentedthat the character and cleverness of the Irish playersis what gets results, saying: “The players have to begood for the game to be good ... I’m GiovanniTrapattoni. I’m not God.” minim veniam, quis nostrudexercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodoconsequat. Duis

Legends in yourLunchtime

Quoting Sir Adam Thompson, founder ofCaledonian Airways, NCI president Dr. PaulMooney introduced Willie Walsh to a 300strong audience in the IFSC on a Mondayafternoon in October. The British Airwayschief was interviewed by broadcaster GeorgeHook on his experiences in both Aer Lingusand BA, and his Aer Lingus journey from cadetto captain to CEO.

Part of the Legends In Your Lunchtime seriespresented by NCI, Newstalk 106-108 fm andMetro Newspaper, these free public interviewslift the lid on how great modern leaders think,and what has made them the people they aretoday. Walsh, famously quoted as saying "ar e a s o n a b l e m a n g e t s n o w h e r e i nnegotiations", shared the experiences thatdefined his career and shaped his leadershipstyle. He said: "Life on the flight deck canprepare you for crisis management. I tookcharge of Aer Lingus just after 9/11 hadtriggered the worst slump in airline history.The crises don’t come much bigger thanthat.”

a reasonable mangets nowhere innegotiations‘ ’ 11

“A recession is when you have to tighten your belt; depression is when you have no belt totighten. When you've lost your trousers - you're in the airline business.”

Most recently, Newstalk’s Claire Byrne talked toApprentice boss Bill Cullen about his now legendaryrise from street trader to Renault CEO, and on theexperiences that shaped his life. He cited his motherand his grandmother as huge factors in his success,giving him invaluable training in hard work, awarenessand the importance of having a hard neck. On his ownleadership style, he highlighted the importance ofpraising in public and criticising in private, saying thathe would never “lash anyone out of it” in front of others.

The series continues with Denis Casey, CEO of Irish Life &Permanent Group, on 21st January. Interviewed by GeorgeHook, Denis’s view of the current economic climate is not tobe missed. Book your place today at www.ncirl.ie.

Newstalk 106 - 108 fm presenter George Hook withWillie Walsh at NCI

Kieran Forde, Metro Newspaper, with Newstalk’s Claire Byrneand Bill Cullen

19-year-old NCI student Brian McGillivaryrecently represented Ireland at the 2008Paralympic Games in Beijing. The Games gotunderway on September 6th and ran for 12days. Brian, from Firhouse in Dublin, was oneof 12 footballers who made up the IrishParalympics Football team.

12

The ’08 recipients of an Anglo Irish Bank Sports Scholarshipwere (front to back): Sa Nguyen (Ladies Kickboxing); PaulNolan (Men's Swimming); Brian McGillivary (Men's Soccer);Shane Doyle (Men's Gaelic Football); Steven Kilroy (Men'sBoxing); Eoin Reilly (Men's Gaelic Football), and GlennHogan (Men's Golf). Andrew McConnell (Men's Hockey) isnot pictured.

A Sporting Chance

NCI Student in Beijing

Ciaran Mulqueen, Students’Union Clubs and SocietiesOfficer, struts his stuff at theFashion Show held in aid ofBarretstown, a special lydesigned camp offering‘serious fun’ for children withserious illnesses..

Final year student EmmaDempsey strikes a pose.

…their hard work earned the Fashion Society acoveted award at the ’08 Clubs and Socs Ball.

Fashion2008Show

The Paralympic Games are Olympic stylesports events for elite athletes with physicaldisabilities, or visual impairment, whichemphasise athletic achievement rather thandisability. Over 4000 athletes, from over 153countries across twenty sports, competedat the Beijing Games.

Brian, who was born with cerebral palsy,studies Human Resource Management atNCI and is in the second year of his degree.

Barry Lynch, who graduated thisOctober with a BA (Hons) inAccounting and HRM, wasawarded the HETAC Student ofthe Year Award as well as theCertified Public AccountantsAward. Barry, from Stillorgan inDublin, achieved 83% in his finalexams and now works withPricewaterhouseCoopers.

Student News

Anthony Kavanagh, AngloIrish Bank, with Shane Doyle

Model StudentsBrian McGillivary

Right:

Get stuck in from day one! That’sthe advice that National College ofIreland student Aoife O’Grady,from Ballinasloe in Galway, wouldoffer any prospective student. Andthe bright and bubbly 21-year-old,now in her third year of a BA inAccountancy and Human ResourceManagement, has certainly takenher own advice.

“I love music and dancing butthere was no club or society inthat area. So in first year I set upthe Dance Club with a friend and Iserved as the Vice President, aswell as Class Rep for the Students’Union. I also joined the RotoractClub and taught literacy skills toyoung people in the local area.”

Her achievements won her the titleof ‘Fresher of the Year’ at theClubs and Socs Ball. She didn’tslow down in second year, either.“I helped to set up theFashion Society - we put on arunway show that raised over€3,000 for charity. We’re stillcounting this year’s takings, butwe’re at over €4,000 so far”, shesays.

For Aoife, the extra curricularactivities and the people that shelives with on campus are the bestthings about the collegeexperience, along with “the senseof freedom and of independence,and being constantly introducedto new things”.

StudentSpotlight

Representing NCI at the Newstalk 106-108 fm Student

Enterprise Competition finals will be Emmet Duffy,

Killian Doherty, IndreNavickaite and Oisin Kelly (pictured

with NCI president Paul Mooney). The

team beat off stiff

competition on December 4th and will take part in the

finals in Sligo from 8-9th February this year. TheCompetion is

des igned to foster a spi r i t of enterpr i se among

third - level students

Newstalk Student Enterprise Comp

Audrey Flynn, picturedright with SU president KellyScales at the GraduationBall, was recently awardedthe Student ParticipationAward for excelling inevery aspect of collegelife. Audrey was activelyinvolved in the social andcultural fabric of theCollege while maintainingan exemplary academicrecord.

13

Third year School o fBusiness s tudentGrainne O’Reillyr e ce i v i ng he raward fo rAcademic Excellencefrom NCI v i cep r e s i d e n t , AnneBreakell, at a specialceremony inNovember.

Changing The Future: the Campaign for National College of Irelandis an ambitious college-wide fundraising appeal that will raise €20 million forstudent scholarships, the new School of Community Studies and initiativesin community-based service learning and corporate social responsibilityamong other priorities.

The NCI Foundation will lead the Campaign over the next seven years. TheNCI Foundation’s mission is to support the College’s success and growthinto the future.

The Foundation Board is comprised of a remarkable group of business andcivic leaders and NCI alumni who take pride in the unique way NCI opens thedoor to a third-level education for students of all ages, races andsocio-economic backgrounds. They are:

Changing The Future will make NCI stronger, more accessible andeven more effective. It is also an opportunity to dramatically enhance theCollege’s ability to serve adult learners and international students who seekrelevant and flexible courses and educational programmes.These aspirations reflect and build on NCI’s very distinctive strengths.

We are changing the future of the College forever, and the future ofeducational access in Ireland - all we need now is the vision, enthusiasm, andgenerosity of our alumni and friends to join with us on the pioneeringjourney ahead.

For more information about the NCI Foundation or the Changing The FutureCampaign for NCI, contact Neal Newman, Director, NCI Foundation,(01) 4498638 or neal.newman@ncirl.ie

Mr. Tom Barry, ChairmanMr. Leslie BuckleyMs. Jean Delany (alumnus)Mr. Maurice HealyMr. Bernard McEvoy

Mr. Gary McGannMr. Barney WhelanDr. Paul Mooney, NCI President and alumnusMr. Ciaran McGivern, NCI Director of FinanceMs. Norma Smurfit

New Facesat NCI

r Marianne Breen hasrecently taken up theposition of NCI’sfirst Tim HamiltonPost-doctoral ResearchFellow in Social Justice.

Dr. Josephine Bleachhas joined NCI asDirector of theCollege’s EarlyLearning Initiative,located within theSchool of CommunityStudies.

Grainne McKenna isthe College’sEducational &DevelopmentalPsychologist, alsowith the EarlyLearning Initiative.

Deryck Tormey hasbeen appointed SchoolLiaison Officer.

Foundation

14

NCI’S Foundation Board

Alumni

The recently established NCI Alumni LeadershipCouncil - chaired by former Minister for Justice NoraOwen - held its first meeting on the 24th ofNovember in the National College of Ireland. Priorto the meeting the president of the National Collegeof Ireland, Paul Mooney, and the director of theFoundation, Neal Newman, hosted a small receptionand welcomed all the members. Council membersendeavour to play a major role in the cultivation,education and networking of the NCI AlumniAssociation throughout the world in order toincrease the understanding and support of theCollege mission.

The NCI Alumni Association will soon launchits new website, which will provide an onlinesocial networking tool as well as an updatedlook, feel and user-interface. Some of thefeatures of the new NCI alumni websiteinclude a member search directory, friendstracing services, regular e-zines, onlineregistration to events and ample informationon the broad portfolio of programs, benefits,services and volunteer opportunities that willbe offered to NCI Alumni. Register nowonline and explore how your relationshipwith NCI can continue to open doors for youand help the College and future generationsof our students.

NCI Alumni Networking Online

http://alumni.ncirl.ie

The Alumni Leadership Council members attendingthe launch included: Nora Owen (NCI AlumniLeadership Council Chair); Beatrice Cantalejo (NCIAlumni Relations Manager); Dave Coleman (SeniorPress Officer, Revenue Commissioners); EmerWilson (Head of Business Development, PCIeCommerce Solutions); Gary Seery (IT Manager, LEDGroup); Ian Barrett (HR Manager, Walls Group); JamesFitzsimons (CEO, Life Changes); Jean Winters (SeniorExecutive Officer, Construction IndustryFederation); John Quinn (Regulatory andDevelopment Director, Smart Telecom); LorcanBirthistle (CEO Crumlin Hospital); Margaret Dromey(CEO, Treoir); Martin Whelan (HR Director, NationalStandards Authority of Ireland); Maurice Fines(Human Resource Director, Pierse Contracting Ltd)and Robert Quinn (Client Manager, MoneyDoctor).

From right to left: Nora Owen, NCI Alumni Leadership CouncilChair with members of the Alumni Council Maurice Fines, HRDirector - Pierce Constructing; Jean Winters, Senior ExecutiveOfficer - ConstructionIndustry Federation and Gary Seery, ITManager, LED Group.

15

Ann McLoughlin fromSantry, who studied atNCI's campus in theIFSC

Anne Doherty,Letterkenny Centre,(left) with lecturerLouise McBride

Brian Clery with NCI'sRosa Callery

Leo Maher, TallaghtCentre, with NCI'sFrances McDonnell athis workplace

The National Campus Network, offeringpart-time programmes at over 40locations around the country, is animportant part of NCI’s mission to widenaccess to education. By studying at aconvenient local centre, regionalstudents have the opportunity to returnto education without sacrificing homeand work life – while remaining a full andvalued member of the Collegecommunity.

One of the most popular courses offeredthrough the network is the HETACaccredited Certificate in First LineManagement, offered at over 30locations countrywide. The studentslisted each came top of their class andearned a Special Achievement Award fortheir outstanding academic performance.Congratulations and well done to you all!

Top Of The Class!

1. A common misperceptionof me is... that I am alwayspleasant.

2. I`m good at... my mothersays not a lot but I thinkwriting poetry (there's ashock!)

3. I`m not-so-good at...keeping my desk tidy.

4. The ideal night out is...afew pints of Guinness inLeo's Tavern in the DonegalGaeltacht listening to sometraditional music or watchinga rerun of Tyrone beatingArmagh in 2003.

5. The last book I readwas…An Utterly ImpartialHistory of England (and2000 years of theupper-class idiots in charge)by John O'Farrell - anamazingly funny yet factualread!

6. The last CD I listened towas… Mozart's TheMarriage of Figaro (mymusical tastes are eclectic-Ilove everything but techno!)

7. My favourite part of my jobis…standing in front of apacked classroom andteaching.

8. It frustrates mewhen… people I collaboratewith let me down or flightsare delayed!

9. A phrase I use far too oftenis..."I am not particularlyexercised by that." or morerecently "Did you hear thatTyrone won the All-Ireland?!"

10. In a nutshell, myphilosophy is…If you arehonest with people andnice to people you will getthe best from them.

2 Minute Interview

16

Prof. Jimmy HillDean of School ofBusiness

Declan Sammon, Leixlip Centre, with NCILecturer Frances McDonnell

Bray Simon Growney

Carlow June Cagney

Carlow Fiona Parlon

Coolmine Aoife Clare

Drogheda Therese Metry

Galway Michael Mullally

Leixlip Declan Sammon

Letterkenny Anne Doherty

Letterkenny Mary Ryan

Limerick Trevor Golden

NCI, IFSC Brian CleryAnn McLoughlin

Newbridge Brian Heery

Palmerstown Leona Byrne

Portarlington Declan Delaney

Sligo Francis Boyle

Swords Olivia BrodySymantec Hon Fan LauSt. Vincents Margaret English

Tallaght Anna MariaMoody

Tallaght Leo Maher

Waterford Anne Howard

Wexford William Furlong

Whitehall Hugh Daly

Regional Campus

2008 Special Achievement AwardWinners – First Line Management

SimonGrowney, BrayCentre, andMargaretEnglish,St. Vincents,with NCI'sBrendanFlanagan

Therese Metry,Drogheda Centrewith NCI lecturerDes Gargan

June Cagney, Carlow centre, with NCI'sJohn Slattery

Leona Byrne, Palmerstown Centre, at work inTallaght Hospital