DCU Voices

DCU VOICES 10 Chancellor’s Medal awarded to Education graduate, Clare O’Keefe DCU’s prestigious Chancellor’s Medal has been awarded to Clare O’Keefe in recognition of her academic achievement and engagement in student life. Clare, from Athy, Co Kildare, joined DCU as a mature student and graduated in November 2020 with a first class honours Early Childhood Education degree. From the beginning, Clare engaged with the new programme and impressed with her knowledge of the programme and her enthusiasm for the sector. She was voted Class Representative in third year and was unanimously re-elected by her peers in fourth year. She negotiated with the National Student Union body, was innovative and persistent in connecting with student groups, and also co-ordinated an intense communications campaign. Clare became an advocate for the early childhood sector and undertook her final placement in SIPTU, where she went beyond the expectations of an undergraduate and published the first ever SIPTU national survey of early childhood students, which was published in September 2020. Clare’s citation read: “Clare embodies the kind of educator we want to graduate from DCU Institute of Education programmes - educators who are engaged, committed, who champion the improvement of whatever sector they work in, and who advocate for learners of all ages, and for their professional colleagues. This combination makes her a very worthy recipient of this award.” DCUChancellor’sMedal awarded to Early Childhood Education graduate, ClareO’Keeffe DCU has worked closely with the HSE in repurposing part of the Helix as a Covid-19 vaccination centre for north Dublin. It is one of a number of ways the University is contributing to the national effort to emerge from the pandemic. Located on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus, The Helix is central to the life of the university and also a civic and cultural resource for the city, welcoming half a million visitors each year. Operational since February, a dedicated space in The Mahony Hall theatre was converted to accommodate 50 vaccination bays. It had the capacity to inoculate 5,000 people a day, operating from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly visited the Vaccination Centre in its opening week as the over 85 age group were being vaccinated. He paid tribute to all the clinicians and other staff on duty. “It’s marvellous to see the people coming for their vaccinations today. There is such an air of positivity, an air of euphoria, it’s wonderful.” The Helix plays its part in Covid-19 vaccination drive The Helix. Image Credit: Julian Behal The Helix. Image Credit: Julian Behal