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Foreword by GMIT PresidentMarion Coy

Education is a journey not a destination. On all the best journeys, the by-ways and unplanned stops often provide the greatest pleasures. So in education, the achievement of a Bachelor Degree, Masters or Doctorate is an important mile-stone, but the learning achieved through involvement in clubs and societies is often as influential and formative as all that oc-curs in the world of education.

Our clubs and societies are not focussed solely on self-improvement! Plea-sure, friendship and general entertainment are to be found in all of them, and college life would be a very poor life without this influence.

I congratulate all the members of the clubs and societies to be found in GMIT on their willingness to get involved and to contribute to the life of the Institute. The Special Achievement Awards acknowledge the outstand-ing achievements of individuals and societies and I hope that this award scheme will encourage and promote the growth of all types of interests and activities.

The role of the Students’ Union is crucial in the promotion of the extra-curricular activities of the Institute. A strong Students’ Union helps to widen the horizons of all the students and to encourage their active participation in a wider college life. I want to thank the Union officers for their leadership in this regard and I look forward to working with them next year in developing new facets of student life.

The journey that is education is one that is coexistent with life. The journey will be more stimulating if it encompasses the aspirations, which are recog-nised in these awards. Congratulations to all involved.

Marion CoyPresident

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On behalf of all the Students’ Union, we would like to welcome everyone, and congratulate all those who are receiving awards.

These Achievement Awards are an ideal forum for a celebration of all those who have contributed and excelled in extra curricular activities of the college over the last year.

The annual award ceremony commemorates both individuals and teams that have surpassed them-selves in academic, personal and sporting practices. While it is impossible to honor everyone that has contributed, the Awards are an ideal opportunity to highlight all those that have devoted so much of their time and energy into their respective clubs and societies.

As you can see from these awards, the students themselves have much to be proud of, both groups and individuals. The Students’ Union have always

recognised the importance of clubs and societ-ies and have at all times used its influence to promote them to their full potential.

In conclusion, well done and continued suc-cess again to all the award winners and enjoy the evening ahead......

Students’ Union Address

Patrick BonnerSU President

Colin CannySU Vice-President

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Sports Officer AddressI am delighted to have this opportunity to write about the Student Special Achievements and to congratu-late the winners.

The purpose of the awards are to give recognition to students who worked hard for their sports club or so-ciety during the year, who distinguished themselves by their outstanding contribution, dedication or com-mitment and who were successful in competition.

Awards are presented to outstanding individuals in sports clubs and societ-ies and to victorious teams. The sports clubs and societies give the opportu-nity to students to participate in an extra curricular recreational programme, a necessary complement to their studies. The recreational programme allows students to take part in competitive or non -competitive Internal or Inter-College events, All Ireland or Intervarsity events and even presents the opportunity to students to be part of International College teams competing at home or abroad.

Some teams brought credit to the Institute and honour to themselves during the year. A number of individual students distinguished themselves also and are deserving of individual awards, while other students are being com-mended for the effort and commitment they gave in their chosen field.

I congratulate them all on their success and wish them luck and good for-tune in the future. However, the achievement of individuals or teams does not happen in a vacuum and I wish to acknowledge the contribution made by managers, coaches and helpers throughout the year.

Frank RyanSports Officer

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John, who is from Ballina, Co. May, was selected to represent GMIT on the Irish Colleges Rugby Team vs French students, English students, and Scottish universities. John plays in the wing position for AIL Division 1 side Galwegians

Rugby

CamogieMartina Conroy

Class Rep

John Clery

Dublin Road

Tom Conway

Tom won class rep of the year. He was actively involved in the welfare working group throughout the year, and helped out with RAG week events. He also represented GMIT at the USI Equality Standing Conference.

Martina played midfield for the Galway Intermediate team which captured the all-Ireland title in late 2009. She also contested the Galway senior camogie final with her native Killimore and is a stalwart of the GMIT team.

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Kevin has made the Irish Colleges Team for the past two years, playing at a national level. He also has played for Mervue United for the past two years, moving from Longford Town when he came to Galway.

Joana represented GMIT at the London International Youth Science Forum, presenting her poster on the role of science in cancer treatment. She is studying Freshwater and Marine Biology.

ScienceJoana Correia

SoccerKevin Crehan

Fionn won the GMIT IT factor, and later went on to represent the college in Limerick at the semi-finals. He wowed crowds at the Millennium Theatre in March with his beatbox medley of songs.

IT Factor Fionn Croke

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Ciaran was the outstanding player in GMIT’s Fitzgibbon campaign in 2010. He led the team consistently from his full back position. He has represented his native Offaly at all levels and we expect him to have a bright future.

Billy has won the prestigious Knorr Student Chef of the Year award, beating out 7 other finalists from around the country . He is in the Total Immersion Chef Programme and will soon be on his way to Germany to sample Michelin-starred fare, the prize awarded him in the competition.

Conor’s commitment to training and willingness to represent GMIT sees him receive this award. Since starting at GMIT, he has been a mainstay on the Fresher team and worked hard to

make sure his teammates put in a similar effort.

Hurling Ciaran Flannery

Hotel SchoolBilly Garvey

Hurling Connor Glynn

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Thomas played right back for Irish Colleges vs Defence Forces, and was selected for a trip to England to play English Colleges F.A. He is currently playing with Galway United 1st team.

Gaelic FootballLouise Lindsey

Ladies

Soccer Tom King

Niamh has been on the team for the past 4 years and has served as an officer of the club on numerous occasions. A star on the playing field, her enthusiasm has ensured Ladies Football remains a big part of sport in GMIT.

Like Niamh Jacob, Louise has been on the team for the past four years. A star on the field, she’s served as an officer for the club, and the positive encouragement she gives to new prospective players is one if her biggest roles.

Gaelic FootballNiamh Jacob

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Madeline is being recognized for her efforts to bridge the gap between the CluainMhuire campus and the Dublin Road Campus, representing the art students at college events and committees.

Textiles Mark T. Burke

Class RepMadeline O’Donnell

Cluain Mhuire

CommunicationsCampus

Paul McDonnell

Mark was named Fashion Accessory Designer of the Year in March in a prestigious national competition at the Radisson. His hats have been pro-fessionally shown, and his collection will be in the “New Designers” Fair in London this summer.

You may remember him from such things as The Fresher’s Ball, Christmas Day, and RAG week. Paul’s dedication to keeping students up on what’s go-

ing on in the SU has him running from event to event, mak-ing sure all the memories are captured, and putting them up for everyone to enjoy.

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RugbyJarlath Naughton

Paddy awaits the All-Ireland U-21 football final vs Dublin next Satur-day, having already annexed the Ulster title. The Ardara man has been one of the most consistent players over the last 3 Sigerson campaigns, and the improvement shown will surely translate into senior inter-county representation for his beloved Donegal.

Jarlath, a native of Galway, was also selected to represent GMIT on the Irish Colleges Rugby Team vs French Students, English Students, and Scottish Universities. Jarlath plays in the front row position for AIL Divi-sion 1 side Galwegians.

Sean is another member of the Donegal U-21 panel, awaiting the final vs Dublin next Saturday and this year went down-under to par-ticipate in AFL trials. Sean’s commit-ment throughout the year in training and his performance on the field have earned him this award.

Gaelic FootballSean O’Kennedy

Fresher

Gaelic FootballPaddy McGrath

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Class Rep Martin Scully

Letterfrack

HeritageDerek Spillane

Derek chaired the Heritage Society this year, reviving it with a series of lectures by experts on Irish history and culture, and organizing a trip to Belfast for over 40 members. Along with a dedicated team, the Heritage Society managed to raise awareness

Archery Megan Ward

For several years, Megan has helped keep the Archery Club one of the most active clubs in GMIT. She is constantly overseeing competi-tions, awards, fundraising, and team events. She consistently promotes the club’s publicity by making sure its achievements are touted by the GMIT SU website and newsletter.

Martin has worked extremely hard this year on keeping up communication between the Dublin Road campus and Letterfrack campus. His efforts have brought the Letterfrack campus closer to the main campus and vice-versa.

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Active Gal-Website Team

The four creators of the innovative fitness website have been shortlisted for

the prestigious national Student Media Awards finals. The website is aimed at healthy living in the Galway area,

containing local resources and fitness information. Elaine Dempsey, Michael Monaghan, Patrick Regan, Xin Yu.

Building & CivilHSA Competition Team

The HSA team represented GMIT in Dublin in a national student competition that required them to give a detailed response to a contruction and safety scenario set by the HSA. They responded with a detailed 80 pages over 4 weeks netting them 2nd place in the competition.

Helena Bracken, Padraig Gaughan, Orla Lawless, Diane O’Loughlin.

Camara TeamThese five students have estab-lished CAMARA Galway which takes in old computers and refur-bishes them to send to schools in need here and abroad. The students are working for the charity full time and putting their technical knowledge to good use.Paul Connolly, James Costello, John Dolan, Colm Kearney, Cathal Murphy.

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Indoor SoccerInter-College

This year’s winners of the ever popular indoor soccer compe-tion, GRANNY LOVERS UNITED, have played in the tournament for the past 4 years, winning twice, and placing second

twice. They beat last year winners to take the title in February.

team members: JP Langan, Joe O’Connor, Anthony McHugh, Ray Mulvey, Liam McTiernan

winners

The finely tuned footballers of GMIT Letterfrack finally man-aged to furnish All Ireland glory on the Connemara par-ish they represent, playing an enthralling game against Blanchardstown in Febru-ary.

Team members are: Alan Benson, Thomas Birrane, Colm Caulfield, Liam Cooke, Thomas Cornyn, Fiachra Coyne, Sean Grealish Thomas Higgins, Ivan Jacob, micael Keane, Joe Keane, Sean Kenny, Colm Maye, John McGuinness, Ciaran McLoughlin, Matthew Malloy, James Murren, Brian Naughton, Patrick Naughton, Kevin O’Connor Cormac O’Droigheain, Michael O’Manin, Liam Prunty, James Ruddy, Tim Scanlon, Martin Scully,

Enda Shannon, Emmet Tormay

Gaelic FootballLetterfrack

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PALs of the yearPal Leaders volunteer their time to help support the 1st year expe-

rience. They offer advice and suggestions and ease students transition into college life. Four outstanding PAL Leaders are recognized this year:

Ian Bennet, Katie Creaven, Laura Nugent, andMichael MacGabhann

Peer Assisted Learning

ProximityExhibition Committee

A lot of hard work, determination, and fundraising went into the Proximity show this March. The Committee rose to the chal-lenge, and the show went on flawlessly.The Committee is comprised of Noel Arrigan, Olive

Fox, Gerard Garvey, Johnny Hession, James may, Grace McDonagh

Lions ClubLions Club continued the fundrais-ing tradition that has been active in the Hotel School for over 20 years, singing Christmas carols, produc-ing Christmas puddings, and rais-ing condiderable funds despite the economic recession.

Members: Valerie Connors, Lorraine Cunningham, Aoife Granville, Padraic Hanrahan, Shane Scott

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Theatre SocietyThe Theatre Society has perservered for the second year in a row, tirelessly working with passion and integrity. Their dedication is constant as they learn and adapt new proce-dures that are in practice in modern theatre.

representing the Theatre Society: Peter Corrigan, Theresa Kelly, Chloe Leahy, Brian Murphy

Student AdvocatesThis years student advocates are recognized for their ongo-ing willingness to get involved in all Student Union activities, helping with campaigns, gigs, shows, and special events.

Included are Aaron Burke, Katie Cleary, Rachel Sillery, Catherine Jennings, AJ Heraty, Matthew Kearney, and Darragh Flynn