HONOURS GALORE FOR GRADUATES
Honours galore for graduates
BY TOMMY NETHERY
THE courage, humanity and sporting excellence of some of Tyrone's finest young ambassadors was honoured at the Queen's University awards ceremony in the Sir William Whitla Hall on Monday afternoon.
Claire Gallagher, who lost her eyesight as a result of the Omagh bomb, graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Music. The courageous 21-year-old refused to let her injuries hinder her determination to get on with life. And during the presentation, those touching words of former US President Bill Clinton, after Claire's piano recital in the White House in 1999 came sharply into focus, when he said, "She may have lost her sight, but she did not lose her vision, the strength of her spirit and soul."
Also among those honoured was the late Tyrone Senior Gaelic football captain, Cormac McAnallen, who was named Graduate of the Year 2004 the first time ever it has been awarded posthumously. The 24-year-old sportsman and schoolteacher died from a rare viral infection of the heart in March was described as a "unique personality" during the ceremony.
The human and leadership qualities of geography student Lauren Buchanan, of Knocksilla Grove, Omagh, earned the former Omagh Academy pupil a prestigious Student of the Year award. Lauren, a weekend employee of Omagh Leisure Complex, was presented with her accolade for the contribution to the University and to the lives of others.
She was the first student to train and lead a team for Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in raising �25,000 for a joint Catholic Methodist team to build houses in Bolivia.
Completing the high-profile quartet was Sean Cavanagh, another member of the triumphant All-Ireland winning side, who completed his academic year in typical fashion, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Accountancy.
BY TOMMY NETHERY
THE courage, humanity and sporting excellence of some of Tyrone's finest young ambassadors was honoured at the Queen's University awards ceremony in the Sir William Whitla Hall on Monday afternoon.
Claire Gallagher, who lost her eyesight as a result of the Omagh bomb, graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Music. The courageous 21-year-old refused to let her injuries hinder her determination to get on with life. And during the presentation, those touching words of former US President Bill Clinton, after Claire's piano recital in the White House in 1999 came sharply into focus, when he said, "She may have lost her sight, but she did not lose her vision, the strength of her spirit and soul."
Also among those honoured was the late Tyrone Senior Gaelic football captain, Cormac McAnallen, who was named Graduate of the Year 2004 the first time ever it has been awarded posthumously. The 24-year-old sportsman and schoolteacher died from a rare viral infection of the heart in March was described as a "unique personality" during the ceremony.
The human and leadership qualities of geography student Lauren Buchanan, of Knocksilla Grove, Omagh, earned the former Omagh Academy pupil a prestigious Student of the Year award. Lauren, a weekend employee of Omagh Leisure Complex, was presented with her accolade for the contribution to the University and to the lives of others.
She was the first student to train and lead a team for Habitat for Humanity and was instrumental in raising �25,000 for a joint Catholic Methodist team to build houses in Bolivia.
Completing the high-profile quartet was Sean Cavanagh, another member of the triumphant All-Ireland winning side, who completed his academic year in typical fashion, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Accountancy.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1673
Published Date: 08-Jul-04
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