UCC Philanthropy and Supporter Impact Report 2021-22

Cork University Foundation advances the strategic goals and objectives of University College Cork and the Foundation’s primary function is to generate financial support for the university’s agreed priorities.

FOREWORD FROM THE CHAIR

Iam very pleased to introduce this publication which celebrates the impact of philanthropy at UCC and showcases what has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters, donors and partners.

As Chair of the Cork University Foundation Board, I have the privilege of promoting the importance of philanthropic support for our university. I, and my fellow members of the Board, are volunteers who believe in the power of education and the important role that University College Cork plays in Ireland and throughout the world. We see first-hand the impact gifts have on the university, the students and academic research.

In 2021-22 the university and Cork University Foundation raised over €9m in philanthropic income and pledges. Each and every gift makes a difference. Today the university is a place of innovation, diversity, and excellence – and as one of Ireland’s most socially inclusive universities, we are dedicated to equal access to higher education for all. Philanthropy is helping to transform our campus into a source of inspiration, a place to learn, to research, to innovate and to respond to global societal challenges.

This publication outlines stories of how your generosity has positively impacted UCC.

I hope you enjoy reading about the incredible difference our community of supporters has made. With your backing, UCC will continue to push the frontiers of knowledge to create a better world, and develop the leaders, innovators, creatives and change agents who will shape our future society.

UCC is a community working on a myriad of goals and aspirations in a positive enabling environment – you are a key part of our community – on behalf of us all – thank you.

Neil O’Leary Chair, Cork University Foundation

Cork University Foundation

Since its establishment in 1996, the Cork University Foundation has assisted the university with its fundraising activities, helping maintain it as an internationally recognised university through the implementation of its Strategic Plan and the quality of its student experience, including excellence in teaching, learning and research.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR AND CEO

ear friends and supporters,

Philanthropy plays a crucial role in shaping the future of academic education, research and cultural excellence. As valued partners in our commitment to excellence, this publication serves as a celebration of the impact the generosity of our donors has had on our institution. UCC’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, advances in medical research and other big world challenges focus our work. So too does the alleviation of student hardship, awarding scholarships, supporting entrepreneurship and sporting success, enriching our cultural heritage and our built environment. Your support for the university is making a real difference to our students and to our place on the world stage.

Last year our three-week Fónathons enabled current students to connect to former students and in doing so helped the university maintain a more personal relationship with our worldwide alumni, to find common ground chatting about the “then and now” of college life. Alumni have been enthusiastic about how they can support the university today, through making donations, mentoring students, volunteering on committees and engaging with online and in-person events.

Whether you are a regular giver to the UCC Alumni Fund or have endowed a scholarship, financed cutting-edge research or left a gift in your will, every gift made to the university is deeply valued. If you would like to discuss any aspect of giving to UCC, leaving a legacy or supporting the university in some other way, please get in touch. My team and I would be delighted to discuss your plans.

With best wishes,

Kerry Bryson

Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC CEO, Cork University Foundation

To create and sustain an inclusive environment and culture to enable transformative research and learning for the enrichment of society and stewardship of our planet.

Our Mission University College Cork

Donor Roll of Honour

OCT 2021 - SEP 2022

The donor roll of honour recognises individuals, companies, foundations and trusts, who have supported UCC projects, research and students during the financial year, 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022.

We would also like to thank our anonymous donors, those who have told us that they intend to leave the university a gift in their will, and those who volunteer their time to help the university in a number of different ways.

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the university’s mission.

Every effort has been made to ensure this donor list is correct. If you think there is an error please contact the Secretary at foundation@ucc.ie

A&L Goodbody

Abbott

Adrian K Dixon

Affidea

Agricultural Trust

AIB Credit Card Services

AIB Group

Aidan & Elizabeth Synnott

Aideen H Hogan

Aimee E Millar

Aisling M Walsh

Aldi Ireland

Alice M O’Connell

ALK-Abelló

Anastasia T McVeigh

Andrew G Keating

Andrew J Walsh

Ang Gao

Angela M Bertles

Ann D Kiely

Anne G O’Dea

Anne M Corcoran

Anne M Mc Auliffe

Annette M Barry

Aoife C Granville

Apple

Arjun Nair

Arthur Cox

Arup Charitable Trust of Ireland (The)

Babatunde Olotu Jubril

Bank of Ireland

Barry’s Tea Ltd

Bartholomew Desmond

Bayer

Bernard H Kenny

Boston Scientific

Bourns Electronics Ireland

Breakthrough Cancer Research

Brendan A Mullins

Brian F Owens

Bridget M Corkery

Cadence Design Systems (Ireland) Ltd.

Carbery Group

Caren E Baviera-Betson

Catherine A Ryan

Catherine Keohane

Christopher Carson

Ciara J Collins

Colin B Ross

Collins Aerospace

Community Foundation Ireland

Comyn Kelleher Tobin

Conor J Reidy

Cook Medical

Corina Byrnes

Cork Chamber of Commerce

Cork University Hospital

Department of Anaesthesia

Cornelius P O’Sullivan

Dairygold Co-op Society Ltd

Daniel J Troy

Daniel Michael O’Sullivan

Daragh and Anne Horgan

David Hogan

David J Ronayne

David M Giltinan

David M McDonald

David M Slattery

David O McCoy

David T Cotter

Deirdre E O’Mahony

Dell Technologies

Deloitte

Denis McCarthy

Dervla Á Hogan

Devere Foundation, James P.

Diarmuid A Kilcullen

Diarmuid Moloney

Diarmuid O’Donovan

Donal A Corbett

Douglas & Bernadette Murray

Dr Mary Barry Wall

Eamon J O’Sullivan

Eamonn C O’Banain

Carl and Rosemary Cogan

Edward J Barrett

Edward J Fitzgerald

Eileen A Scanlon

Eirgrid

Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited

Elizabeth M Dooley

Elizabeth R Beamish

Environmental Protection Agency

Erevan O’Neill

ESB Group

Eugene N Clarke

FBD Trust

Féileacáin

FDC Group

Finbarr J O’Mahony

Finola M Cooney

Fiona M Murphy

Flavio A Cali

Florence V O’Mahony

Francis B Donnellan

Francis M O’Rourke

Gerard F Barry

Gerard P O’Hanlon

Glanbia

Goodbody Stockbrokers

Google

Grainne M O’Mahony

Gym + Coffee

Helen M Boyle

Helen M Collins

Helen M Grimes-O’Cearbhaill

Helen Mulcahy

Helen T Byrne

Highfort Blood Stock

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd

Hugh G Gallagher

Imelda M Cronin

Jacqueline M Sheridan

James A Greally

James B Tuohy

James J O’Shea

James M Crotty

James O Fitzgerald

James T Barry

Janice M Crausaz

Jennifer A Whyte

Jennifer D Mahony

Jeremy C O’Callaghan

Jill Powell

Joanne Kelleher Ralston

John & Deirdre O’Connell

John A Blackwell

John A Murphy

John B McElligott

John C O’Sullivan

John C Riordan

John G Kiely

John G O’Malley

John J Corkery

John J Roche

John McCullagh

John O Larkin

John O’Halloran

John P Connolly

John P Curtin

John P Sheehan

Joseph A Clancy

Joseph F Dunne

Joseph Walsh

June P O’Connell

Karen M Tyrrell

Karen S Kelly

Kate McSweeney

Kate Stevens

Kerrygold Butter Packing Ireland Limited

Killian Hurley & Dr Maeve Hurley

KPMG

Leslie Quick

Liam & Kaye Cronin

Liam Casey

Logitech

Maeve J Murphy

Majella C Kelleher

Maples Law

Margaret M Burke

Margaret M O’Connor

Maria C O’Donovan

Marie A O’Donoghue

Marie B O’Sullivan

Marietta Landers

Marigot Ltd

Mark J O’Connor

Martin Corbally

Martin Dunphy

Mary B Murphy

Mary C O’Farrell

Mary C O’Regan

Mary E Conway

Mary F Fitzgerald

Mary J Keevers

Mary Lavery

Mary M Devlin

Mary M Jones

Mary P Higgins

Matheson

Matthew F Breen

Matthew F Cremin

McCann Fitzgerald

Medtronic

Michael A Bouchier

Michael A Kelleher

Michael C MacNamara

Michael F O’Connor

Michael J Dowling

Michael J Duggan

Michael J Mackey

Michael J McCarthy

Michael J Willis

Michael Lyons

Michael N Barry

Michael O McGrath

Michael P Cunneen

Michael P McGarry

Michael P Mortell

Michelle Clifford

Moog Ireland Limited

Musgrave Group

NeoDyne

Niamh J Bermingham

Noel J Tangney

Noelle A Barry

Noelle T Dowling

Noreen Frances O’Donnell

Norma E Murray

Novartis

Oonagh C Kearney

Ornua

Padraig J Kelly

Patricia Desmond

Patrick F Dorgan

Patrick G Ryan

Patrick J Brennan

Patrick J Crowley

Patrick J Kennedy

Patrick J. J Quinn

Patrick M O’Meara

Patrick T Flanagan

Patrick T O’Connor

Paul F Shanahan

Paul F Toner

Paul Fitzsimons

Paul I Beecher

Paul and Shelagh Whelton

Paula M O’Callaghan

Pearse Flynn

Peter M Foley

Petroleum Infrastructure Programme

Pfizer

PwC

Qualcomm

Rachael N Liston

Raymond J Connolly

Rethink Ireland (Social Innovation Fund)

Richard J Halpin

Ronan Daly Jermyn

Ronan N O Dubhghaill

Rosalie M Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh

Ruth Cotter

Sarah J Clifford

Saks Kavanaugh Foundation

Servier

Sharon P Keohane

Simply Blue

Sinead M Murphy

Siobhan C O’Connell

Sorcha S Ni Mhuimhneachain

Statkraft

Synapse

Tadgh Quill-Manley

The Cahill Family

The Hospital Saturday Fund

The Institute of Geologists of Ireland

The James D. and Veronica E.

Theresa Wilson

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Think Differently

Thomas G Wrixon

Thomas Healy

Thomas M Moloney

Timothy W O’Connell

Tom Quick

TOMAR Trust

Tommaso Verga

Tony and Karen Barry

UCC Reunion Gifts

UCC Rugby Club

UCC Visitors’ Services

Una E Hennessy

UPMC

Vivien A Fitzgerald-Smith

Vivienne Crowley

Warren Rose

WHH Foundation

William Kirwan

William O’Brien

Wilton Respiratory Research Fund

Xue Li

Yvonne E Cohen

Chesterton Family Foundation

UCC and Cork University Foundation thank you for your most generous support in 2021-22

GIFTS FOR TODAY

GIFTS FOR TOMORROW

€9.25m in new donations

€8.15m in planned gift pledges

NEW ASSETS

1916 Proclamation & the Richard Harris Archives

€3.2m HIGHLIGHTS

STUDENT SUCCESS

ARTS, CULTURE & SPORT

959 271 DONORS GIFTS

INCLUDING

121 NEW DONORS GIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME

LEARNING & TEACHING

€1.8m

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

€1.6m UCC ALUMNI FUND

€1.3m

€110k

5K ALUMNI JOINED UCC ALUMNI ONLINE

13K VIEWS OF VIRTUAL EVENTS ACROSS 51 COUNTRIES

A Personal History Shared:

Actor Richard Harris’ archives donated to UCC

The personal archives of one of Ireland’s most iconic film actors, the late Richard Harris, will be permanently housed in the Treasures Gallery at the UCC Library, having been donated by his son, Jared Harris, on behalf of the actor’s estate.

Among the archives are Richard’s personal creative writing manuscripts including poetry, publicity and location photos from his screen and stage performances. These include Camelot, The Field, Pirandello’s Henry IV and as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. In addition, the archive, which spans over 50 years, contains private memos, items from film sets, Young Munster rugby plaques and pictures as well as letters and wire communications from family and friends, arts critics, and coperformers.

The archives give a unique insight into one of Ireland’s legendary actors who starred in some of the most celebrated pieces of cinema of the last half century, who won or was nominated for the most prestigious awards in film and theatre.

While the archive will be housed in UCC, the first public exhibition of the archives will take place in Richard Harris’ birth city of Limerick at the Hunt Museum.

Listen to Jared Harris on Sunday with Miriam on RTÉ where he explains why his family wanted to donate the personal archives of his father to UCC.

Top: A photograph of Richard Harris from the archives with a handwritten note from his fellow Irish actor Peter O’Toole. Above (l-r): Dr Barry Monahan, Lecturer, Department of Film and Screen Media, UCC; Jared Harris; Kerry Bryson, Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC; Crónán Ó Doibhlin, Head of Collections, UCC Library.

Removing Obstacles to Education

Under-represented school-leavers are supported motivationally, financially and educationally through the Access UCC Plus Programme.

The programme enables students to participate fully in student life and to reach their maximum potential. Once enrolled, the students, whose anonymity is guaranteed, are mentored both personally and educationally.

Students are offered orientation programmes, academic support programmes, on-going personal support and guidance from academic mentors and the Access UCC Plus office, careers advice, social activities and financial assistance.

In 2021/22, a total of 810 students were supported by the Access UCC Plus Programme.

“

The bursary was a huge help to me over the last year. I used the money to help towards my accommodation costs. As well as that, I was on unpaid work placement and as a result I put the money towards my travel expenses and my accommodation expenses throughout the year. The bursary has definitely been of huge benefit to me through my studies in UCC and throughout my work experience. ”

Emily Early Childcare Studies Student

“

In all, the bursary has significantly helped with the adjustment into college life and has allowed a weight to be taken from me in terms of financial worries.

John Law Student

Unlocking Education

Support from Apple, Arthur Cox, ARUP and TOMAR Trust, along with other anonymous donors, enables students like Emily and John to enjoy a university experience and to develop and enhance their career and life opportunities.

Main: The UCC Hub - Located in the heart of UCC’s main campus, the historic 170-year-old Windle Medical building, previously used for training generations of doctors, has now been conserved and transformed into the Hub - a single point of contact for academic and student services, student support services, and student clubs and societies. It was opened officially by alum Taoiseach Micheál Martin on 6 May, 2022.

Bringing on Tomorrow’s Teachers

The generosity of an esteemed educator, Dr Mary Barry Wall, a former Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, has enabled UCC to launch a substantial bursary fund.

The fund of €337,000 will help students from under-represented socio-economic backgrounds achieve a university education and become teachers.

After a lifetime of teaching in UCC, Dr Barry Wall’s gift will impact 23 UCC Access students who will benefit from the annual Dr Mary Barry Wall Bursaries. The bursaries will help students to pursue a primary degree in the Humanities and then, if they wish, to continue on to develop a career in teaching through the Professional Masters in Education (PME).

This generous gift will allow students to realise their dream to be a teacher by following the Master’s in Education Programme and to inspire future generations.

“

Mary’s generosity will be transformational. Her extraordinary gift will allow students to realise their ambitions of becoming teachers and educational professionals who will inspire future generations. We are sincerely grateful to her. This very generous donation will enable deserving young adults, who may otherwise not get such an opportunity, to succeed in their chosen path.

”

Oonagh O’Driscoll Head of Development, College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences, UCC.

Tomorrow’s Teachers

A total of 23 UCC Access students are expected to benefit from the annual Dr Mary Barry Wall Bursaries.

Above (l-r): Oonagh O’Driscoll, Head of Development, UCC; Dr Ita Kirwan; Dr Fiona Chambers, Head of School of Education, UCC; Dr Mary Barry Wall; Professor John O’Halloran, President, UCC; Professor Catherine O’Brien; Olive Byrne, Head of Access, UCC. Right: Professor John O’Halloran and Dr Mary Barry Wall.

Pioneering Cancer Research

UPMC, a global academic medical centre based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and with locations across Ireland, has supported funding for two Professors of Medical Oncology - key strategic positions in the pursuit of establishing an internationally recognised Cancer Research Institute at UCC.

The appointment of the two academic oncologists, funded by UPMC, is backed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and will establish the foundation for research collaboration between UCC, the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre.

UCC Futures is an initiative that strives to bring the best and brightest research leaders to UCC and develop excellence in collaborative research. These professorships are fundamental to obtaining future large scale collaborative funding, receiving regional accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, and will ultimately lead to innovative scientific

breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer.

This international collaboration will be integral to the progression of cancer research across the south of Ireland and will provide greater access to clinical trials for patients, while also embedding cutting-edge research in clinical care.

“

This generous philanthropic donation from UPMC will have far-reaching impacts for cancer research at UCC, our regional hospitals and beyond. These professorships will drive forward novel discovery that will link the bench to the bedside and ultimately have impact on future patient care. ”

Eimear Keohane Head of Development, College of Medicine & Health, UCC

Above: Mary Hickey, Director of Oncology Services for UPMC in Ireland; Michael Fetterolf, UPMC Director of International Clinical Operations; Professor Helen Whelton, Head of College of Medicine and Health, UCC; Professor Roisin Connolly, the Professor Gerald O’Sullivan Chair in Cancer Research at UCC; and David Beirne, Managing Director, UPMC in Ireland.

Building on the Work of Great Minds who have gone before

AUCC alum has honoured a trailblazing former lecturer of UCC’s School of Film, Music and Theatre with a memorial scholarship.

Douglas Murray, an Emmy Award-winning film sound designer, and 2023 Oscar nominee for The Batman (2022), completed an MA in Experimental Sound Practice at UCC in 2021.

Douglas studied with Dr Danijela KulezicWilson, who was well known as a trailblazing scholar of music. Danijela’s interdisciplinary research explored the relationships between film, sound, and music, and produced a radically new understanding of the musicality of contemporary film sound design.

Danijela passed away in April 2021, leading Douglas to establish a memorial scholarship in her honour. Jointly with the WHH Foundation, a charitable foundation set up by Douglas’ step-father in 1961, Douglas established the Dr Danijela Kulezic-Wilson Memorial PhD Scholarship within the UCC School of Film, Music and Theatre.

Douglas and the WHH Foundation hope that their actions will encourage others to make a transformational difference to the lives and work of PhD students at the school by continuing this award once the initial threeyear scholarship ends.

Deirdre Molloy began a Music/Dance PhD at UCC in 2022, as the first recipient of the Danijela Kulezic-Wilson Memorial Scholarship for interdisciplinary innovation.

The scholarship, worth $30,000, will support Deirdre in discovering new ways of considering and creating our cultural world in her research thesis entitled, From Blues Dance to African Diaspora Identity: A Postcolonial Perspective.

Creatively Inspired

Deirdre Molloy was chosen as the student who best embodies both the interdisciplinary and groundbreaking spirit of Danijela’s work.

Main: The late Dr Danijela Kulezic-Wilson. Left: Inaugural scholarship recipient, Deirdre Molloy.

1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic: for public display at UCC

The 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic is the foundation document of modern Irish nationhood. It is said to be the single most important and most iconic document in the context of modern Irish history.

Liam and Kaye Cronin have donated one of the few surviving original copies to UCC: it is thought that fewer than 50 remain of the original 1,000 printed. This Proclamation has an impeccable provenance, known to have been brought directly from the General Post Office (GPO) during Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising by Richard Gogan, reputedly the youngest member of the GPO garrison during the 1916 Rising.

Originally from Cork, the donors, Liam and Kaye Cronin, came into possession of the Proclamation in 1998, through Éamonn de Búrca who is considered one of the world’s leading dealers in Irish antiquarian books and manuscripts. They decided to share the document with UCC where it would be preserved for future generations.

In time, the Proclamation will be on public display in UCC’s planned Treasures Gallery, a fully secure and serviced space for public display and interpretation of important and unique material from the UCC Collections.

Find out more about this edition of the Proclamation from UCC Library

Cronin Scholarship Fund

Liam and Kaye Cronin have also made a gift to support students, at undergraduate and PhD level, from underrepresented socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Daniel and Margaret Cronin Advancing Access Scholarships have been created at UCC in honour of Liam’s parents.

Top: Donors, Liam and Kaye Cronin. Above: Kerry Bryson, Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC; Liam and Kaye Cronin; Alan Deasy, Head of Development, College of Business & Law, UCC. Left: A close up of the Cronin’s 1916 proclamation.

Driving Student Entrepreneurship

ALDI are generously supporting Cork University Business School (CUBS) at UCC, in motivating aspiring food entrepreneurs, through their sponsorship and involvement in the annual Food Entrepreneurship Challenge competition.

Since its establishment in 2021, the competition has already become a cornerstone of entrepreneurial and innovative activities at the Department of Food Business and Development within CUBS, where groups of 4th year BSc in Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship students present their fully developed business ideas to a panel of judges.

The prize fund of €7,000 is shared between contestants who best showcase their creativity, innovativeness, leadership skills and products in pre-determined categories.

Thanks to Laura Harper, Buying Director, ALDI Stores Ireland; Paul Scally, Buying and Legal Director, ALDI Stores Ireland; Brian O’Shea, HR Director, ALDI Ireland and Conor Hyde, Managing Director at Hyde Irish Whiskey and Bullseye Food Marketing, who formed the panel of judges for the 2022 challenge.

ProYos was awarded The Best Overall Business and Marketing Plan for an ambient puffed yoghurt snack packed with calcium and probiotics.

The Best Overall New Food Entrepreneurship Idea was won by BlendEase for frozen superfood smoothie cubes in ‘Blissful Berry’ flavour.

The Best Overall Branding, Visual Identity and Communications went to PROtential for a range of three sports drinks fortified with vitamins, functional ingredients and probiotics.

Probiotic Pops received The Best Overall Innovative Idea for a healthy, on-the-go snack that places an emphasis on gut-health and convenience and Wholy Grain won The Best Overall Sustainable Idea for its delicious and nutritious plant-based milk, created from the spent grain which is a by-product of brewing.

Great Ideas

ProYos and PROtential (pictured above) were both winning food business ideas in the ALDI Food Entrepreneurship Challenge, suceeding in the categories for Best Overall Business and Marketing Plan and, Best Overall Branding, Visual Identity and Communications.

Coastal Atlas of Ireland

Of global relevance to today’s climate, the Coastal Atlas of Ireland is the latest in the award-winning atlas series at UCC, and winner of the The Journal.ie award for the An Post Book Awards Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2021.

The Coastal Atlas of Ireland is a comprehensive and visually breathtaking examination of Ireland’s coastal and marine spaces. It considers the shaping of the coastline of Ireland as a whole, from both the physical and human environmental perspectives, and looks at the factors that are shaping the coastline and the vulnerabilities and opportunities that lie ahead.

Ireland has a spectacular coast and around a million square kilometres of resources-rich marine territory. The Coastal Atlas of Ireland, draws on written contributions from over 140 authors from across the island of Ireland and beyond.

Published by Cork University Press, the Atlas takes an explicitly all-island approach and is visually stunning with wonderful cartography.

Edited by Professor Robert Devoy, Dr Val Cummins, Dr Barry Brunt, Darius Bartlett and Dr Sarah Kandrot, the atlas takes the reader from the distant geological past, by way of the prehistoric era and a focus on the island’s physical environments, through time and the human colonisation of Ireland, to the complex cultural and economic landscapes of the near past through to the present day.

It concludes with an assessment of the importance of coastal and marine

environments in understanding the island’s development, appreciating the present, and contemplating future possibilities and challenges.

“

The book is a wonderful blend of knowledge about the past and potential impacts in the future for our coasts, coastal habitats and communities. Thanks to Pierce Flynn, ARUP and others who financially supported the publication of this important work. ”

Find out more about the Coastal Atlas of Ireland from the publisher, Cork University Press.

Below: Dr Val Cummins, Darius Bartlett, Dr Sarah Kandrot and Professor Robert Devoy won the Journal.ie An Post Book Award for Best Irish Published Book of the Year for The Coastal Atlas of Ireland.

Professor John O’Halloran President, UCC

106-year-old Honan Chapel restored for Future Generations

The Collegiate Chapel of Saint Finbarr, better known as the Honan Chapel at UCC was re-opened in March 2022 following a significant refurbishment.

The eleven magnificent Harry Clarke windows, acknowledged as the finest example of stained-glass work in Ireland, were restored and storm-proofed and the beautiful mosaic floor, with its intricate River of Life mythological illustrations, was repaired and sealed by expert craftsmen.

The chapel’s interior and exterior were restored, and additional landscaping, lighting, gate restoration and other works were undertaken as part of the extensive project. The total cost of the renovations was €1.2 million. The funding was sourced through a philanthropic campaign delivered by the Honan Development Committee, on behalf of the Honan Trust. The Committee was chaired by Michael O’Flynn.

The Honan Chapel was chosen as one of the The Honan Chapel was chosen as one of the iconic venues for Other Voices: Bringing It All Back Home, an unforgettable night of music and song in September 2022, which featured some of the country’s most brilliant contemporary musicians.

“The response to the call for support for the Chapel has been phenomenal, and is testament to the regard and affection in which the Honan is held. On behalf of the development committee I wish to give our sincere thanks to the generous donors, as well as the architects, conservation experts, contractors and staff who made this happen.

”

Michael O’Flynn Chair, Honan Development Committee

Above: UCC students at the launch of Other Voices UCC in the refurbished Honan Chapel. Right: ‘St Declan’ by Harry Clarke - one of the Honan Chapel’s stained glass windows.

Founding Father of Tyndall creates Bursaries for Students

Former UCC President and long-established benefactor of the university, Professor Gerry Wrixon, has now gifted bursaries to celebrate Tyndall’s 40 years of ICT innovation and impact in Ireland.

The annual Wrixon Research Excellence Bursaries are offered to Tyndall-based postgraduate students in recognition of research excellence in new deep-tech discoveries and next generation innovations that address global challenges in ICT, health, agri-tech, the environment, and energy.

The substantial bursary awards, made possible through the generosity of Professor Gerry Wrixon, past President of UCC and the founding father of Tyndall (formerly the National Microelectronics Research Centre/ NMRC) will support international study visits and the promotion or recognition of research excellence within Tyndall’s postgraduates. At least two study bursaries and one travel bursary will be awarded annually.

The inaugural Wrixon Research Excellence Bursary winners, Dinesh Gawade, CaraLena Nies and Anthony Wall were granted bursaries based on their respective work in museum conservationism, computer

simulations on new materials and enhanced sensor activity. In addition, two travel bursaries were awarded to Li Yao (Celina) Li and Lorenzo Niemitz.

“ Our hope is that this bursary will inspire and support our postgraduate community to continue with their important research.

Professor William Scanlon CEO, Tyndall National Institute

Tyndall National Institute based at UCC, is the leading European research centre behind some of Ireland’s most advanced research, particularly in electronics and photonics, semiconductors and chip technology.

Practical Applications

Dinesh Gawade’s research looked at finding a cost effective and non-invasive way to monitor the temperature and humidity of museum artefacts.

His sensors are now used in museums across Europe, even tracking conditions for Andy Warhol’s 1964 painting “Flowers” in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Top: Professor Gerry Wrixon at the launch of the Wrixon Research Excellence Bursaries.

Above: Cara Lena Nies and Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall; Anthony Wall and Dinesh Gawade.

Left: Tyndall National Institute.

Fónathon: Reaching out to Alumni Worldwide

University is about so much more than just studying, and our UCC Alumni Fund helps to support the student experience, making university life in Cork the best in can be.

During May and June 2022, UCC Alumni and Development ran a three-week Fónathon, raising funds to help support current and future students.

Each campaign saw a team of 25 trained student callers connecting with over four and a half thousand alumni by telephone. Students contacted alumni who studied similar courses to theirs and discussed the “then and now” of college life. Alumni were offered an opportunity to support projects in the UCC Alumni Fund, and almost €75,000 was pledged in 2022 for bursaries; Sanctuary Fellowships; out-of-hours Mental Health Counselling and for student Clubs and Societies.

Fónathons are now a fundamental part of the UCC alumni engagement strategy, as they provide many benefits that go beyond purely financial goals. Fónathons are currently run bi-annually, during the Summer and the Winter.

“

These phone calls are excellent work experience for our students. In addition to acquiring new skills, the opportunity to talk to former students is invaluable. They enjoy hearing the stories of life on campus from alumni, gain tangible advice on what to expect after graduation and get an insight on possible future careers. ”

Aidan Halley Leadership Gifts Officer, UCC.

Fónathon Facts

25 student callers connected with over 4,500 alumni by telephone.

Almost €75,000 was pledged to support the UCC Alumni Fund.

100% of donations will go towards projects that improve the student experience at UCC.

Left: UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, visits the call centre to meet with the student callers, Adah-Jo Duff, Jennifer Nyagaya, Eoghan O’Leary and James Carey, and to share some inspirational words of encouragement. Above: Professor John O’Halloran joins the student callers to kick-off the 2022 Fónathon.

A Harmonious Partnership with Bank of Ireland

UCC’s long-term banking partner, Bank of Ireland, has been a key strategic collaborator with the university for several decades. Bank of Ireland has enhanced the student experience and beyond, by rewarding student success, encouraging student participation in clubs and societies, sponsoring cultural events at the university, and supporting alumni events.

Quercus Talented Students’ Programme

The Quercus Talented Students’ Programme is a scholarship programme that supports and promotes excellence in academia, sport, creative and performing arts, active citizenship and innovation. Bank of Ireland has committed to being UCC’s partner in funding this prestigious programme for the period 2022-2026.

Alumni Achievements Awards

UCC’s annual Alumni Achievement Awards programme honours alumni who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen fields. Bank of Ireland is an annual platninum sponsor of this flagship event.

Arts & Culture

Bank of Ireland sponsored UCC’s hosting of Other Voices at UCC in 2022. Contemporary musicians, brought together by Other Voices founder and UCC graduate Philip King, delivered a night of song and celebration on campus, with the iconic Aula Maxima, Honan Chapel and Glucksman Gallery providing the backdrops for a spectacular showcase of live music.

Sport

Bank of Ireland is the primary sponsor of UCC sporting clubs and also the sponsor of the UCC Sports Star Awards. The bank has also facilitated the appointment of UCC Sport’s new head coach for rowing, two-time World Champion and three-time Olympian, Sanita Puspure.

IGNITE

The UCC Ignite Graduate Business Innovation

Programme is sponsored by Bank of Ireland. Brendan O’Sullivan, Manager with Bank of Ireland said: “We are always inspired by their ideas and the quality of their pitches and business plans.”

UCC Societies

An integral part of the success of UCC Societies is having a solid financial footing in order to support their day-to-day activities. Bank of Ireland has supported UCC societies for many years.

Cork University Business School (CUBS)

Bank of Ireland is an active supporter of CUBS and, amongst other initiatives, has funded a Chair in Business Information Systems and provided significant support for the Financial Services Innovation Centre.

Above: Bank of Ireland Director South, Ian McMorrough (centre) pictured with Quercus Scholars, Iona Ritchie (fiddle); Caoimhe Perdue (hockey); Sean Edogbo (rugby); and Ruby Falvey (flute).

“

We are delighted to support a programme in which academic excellence can be combined with opportunities for personal development and we look forward to seeing all that these students can achieve over the coming years. Exciting times ahead!

”

Ian McMorrough Bank of Ireland Director South, at the announcement of the Quercus Talented Students’ Programme parternship with UCC.

Top (l-r): Ian McMorrough, Bank of Ireland Director South; Molly Tynan, Communications Officer, Alumni and Development, UCC; Cormac McSweeney, Deputy CFO/ Finance Officer, UCC; Cal Healy, Deputy Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC. Above: Ian McMorrough and Cormac McSweeney.

Class Gifts that Keep on Giving...

Reunion classes have been taking the opportunity to leave lasting gifts, raising over €18,000 to support the university.

“

During 2021- 2022, class reunions raised over €18,000 in support of the Alumni Fund, Mental Health Counselling, the student Calm Zone, Sanctuary Scholarships and Cancer Research.

Funds raised at reunion events are a great example of the generosity of UCC alumni around the world. Whatever the size of the contribution, collectively they have the potential to make a real difference.

Reunions are wonderful opportunities to revisit your college days and reconnect with classmates and old friends. We love welcoming graduates back to campus and making their reunion days memorable. ”

Officer

“You don’t realise you’re making memories for the future when you’re having fun in the moment”

Máire Murphy Alumni Relations

Above left: The Computer Science Class of 1982 recently celebrated 40 years since their graduation. Photo by Shane Horan.

Above right: Two class mates reminisce over old photos at their Golden Jubilee celebration.

“50 years of wear and tear but still standing”

Above: Engineering alumni, Paddy Murphy, Denis Mullane, John Lane, Barry McCormack and John Murphy, from the Class of 1972 recreate an iconic photo from their student days on the quad. Right: Alumni from the Class of 1970 attend their Golden Jubilee celebration in the Aula Maxima, UCC. Below: Alumni from the Medicine Class of 1982 at their recent reunion.

Nurturing the Next Generation of Engineers

Since opening their office in Cork in 2013, Qualcomm have built a strong symbiotic partnership with UCC. In addition to generous philanthropic gifts, Qualcomm staff give generously of their time and support innovative research at UCC’s School of Engineering and Architecture. The impact of their contributions includes supporting PhD students, new labs, equipment and staff support for Electrical and Electronic Engineering at UCC.

The US multinational semiconductor company, which designs and builds microelectronic chips that power today’s most advanced mobile devices, also fund unique events such as the FIRST Lego League, a programme which engages youth through robotics and engineering, and it sponsors student societies such as Enactus UCC and Engineers Without Borders.

In addition to philanthropic support, Qualcomm Ireland are generous with their staff resources and expertise. Their staff provide guest lecturing, teaching and supervision, as well as internships for UCC students.

An increasing number of Qualcomm Ireland’s employees are alumni of UCC, with over 45 UCC Engineering graduates currently employed full-time at the company. The majority of Qualcomm Ireland’s management team are UCC graduates, who continue to

drive teams at the Cork site to new levels of world class research and development.

“Qualcomm is an excellent example of the powerful impact that can be created through synergistic collaboration and generous unencumbered philanthropic support of academia by industry. Led by Dr Emanuel Popovici, UCC’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering team have leveraged Qualcomm’s valuable support to significantly enhance the student experience, foster future generations of talent and contribute to award winning research.

”

Saba Loftus Head of Development, College of Science, Engineering & Food Science, UCC

At the launch of UCC’s new Electronic Design Automation lab, supported by Qualcomm Ireland.

Above (l-r): Professor Jorge Oliveira, Head, School of Engineering & Architecture; Aimée Williams, VP Enterprise Technology Division, IDA Ireland; Saba Loftus, Head of Development, UCC; Paul Kelleher, Qualcomm Ireland VP of Engineering; Dr Emanuel Popovici, Senior Lecturer, Electrical Engineering, UCC; Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment; Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research & Innovation; Professor John O’Halloran, President, UCC; Kerry Bryson, Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC; Anne-Marie Tierney-Le Roux, Head, Technology & Emerging Business, IDA Ireland.

FIRST Lego League

A unique engineering event, the FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) to children ages 4-16 through fun, exciting hands-on learning.

Top: School pupil at the 2022 FIRST LEGO League. Below Right (l-r): FIRST LEGO League judges, John Furlong, Pol Barrachina, Marieme Dior Nafy Ba and Selim Yahia-Messaoud. Below Left: Attendees at the recent UCC Alumni event hosted by Qualcomm Ireland at their Cork offices. FIRST LEGO League photos by Ethan Hussey/UCC Engineers Without Borders Society & Giuseppe Carrubba/Qualcomm.

Read the Case Study about Qualcomm Ireland and UCC.

Inspiring Sports Success

UCC offer deserving and talented students the opportunity to develop their sporting careers with the highest standards in coaching, training, strength and conditioning advice. Students are encouraged to reach their full potential in both the pursuit of sport and of academic success.

82 students across 17 sports were awarded UCC Sports Scholarships for the 20222023 academic year.

Thanks to the generosity of Michael J Dowling, Gym+Coffee and Bank of Ireland, the following scholarships were made possible.

Gym+Coffee Scholarship Recipients: Ruby Millet (Athletics) and Michaela Sanderson (Hockey)

Michael J Dowling Scholarship Recipient: Rob Downey (Hurling)

Main (l-r): Morgan Buckley, Head of UCC Sport; Professor Stephen Byrne, Deputy President and Registrar, UCC; Mary McKeever, Creative Designer, Gym+Coffee; Students Ruby Millet and Michaela Sanderson; Aidan Halley, Leadership Gifts Officer, UCC; Professor John O’Halloran, President, UCC.

Bank of Ireland Scholarship Recipients: Adam Murphy (Rowing), Rob Heffernan, Bank of Ireland Youth Ambassador; Aoibhinn Donnelly (Soccer), Mags Barrett, Bank of Ireland ‘Bank at Work’ Advisor; Shane Roche (Olympic Weightlifting) and Professor John O’Halloran, President, UCC.

Michael J Dowling Scholarship Recipient: Niall O’Leary (Hurling)

Michael J Dowling Scholarship Recipient: Conor Cahalane (Hurling)

Cutting-edge Careers with Eli Lilly

Since the 1990s, Eli Lilly, through its operation in Kinsale, has been a significant supporter of UCC. A recent visit to the Kinsale site at Dunderrow celebrated this long-standing relationship.

In 2022, the UCC Process and Chemical Engineering team, and UCC Lilly Scholars, visited Eli Lilly’s 50-hectare manufacturing campus near Kinsale, County Cork where the worldwide supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients for many of Lilly’s innovative medicines are made.

This campus is unique in the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland, as it accommodates chemical synthesis, biotechnology and continuous manufacturing technologies all within one site.

Corporate Affairs Leader, Jean Casey and Associate VP, Dr Noreen Lynch hosted the visit, which included a site tour and discussions with key Lilly personnel relating to research work and opportunities.

Eli Lilly has been generously supporting Process and Chemical Engineering academic positions, and the Lilly Scholars Postgraduate Programme at UCC since 2017.

“

We are hugely grateful and thankful to Eli Lilly for their continued and enabling support of UCC.

Supporting UCC academic positions and the Lilly Scholars programme, has been transformational.

”

Cal Healy

Deputy Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC

in Biochemical/Biopharmaceutical Engineering; Dr Noreen Lynch, Associate VP-TSMS, Monoclonal and Small Molecule

API. Front row - Lilly Scholars: Leah Erwin, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Aoife Slyne, Department of Physiology; George Merrin, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology; James Harte, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology & Department of Haematology, CUH; Yu Jiang, Process & Chemical Engineering; Vishal Singh, Process & Chemical Engineering.

Pictured at visit to Eli Lilly - Back row: Jean Casey, Corporate Affairs Leader, Eli Lilly; Dr Archishman Bose, UCC Eli Lilly Lecturer in Process & Chemical Engineering; Prof Edmond Byrne, UCC Chair Professor of Process & Chemical Engineering; Prof Jarka Glassey, UCC Eli Lilly Adjunct Professor in Biopharmaceutical Engineering; Cal Healy, Deputy Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC; Dr Fatemeh Kavousi, UCC Eli Lilly Lecturer

Tribute to a Benefactor: Dr Tom Cavanagh 1931 - 2022

In 2022, UCC lost one of its great friends, Dr Tom Cavanagh. His relationship with UCC began when he came to the university to study commerce. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1951 and a Higher Diploma in 1952. Decades later, in 1995, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university.

Tom was a remarkable UCC national and international athlete, who was named the best sports all-rounder in the university on three separate occasions.

Following an exceptional career as Chairman and Managing Director of Cavanagh’s of Fermoy, the family motor business, Tom and his wife Marie, who pre-deceased him, embarked on a hugely enabling philanthropic journey together. They set up the TOMAR Trust, through which they supported many educational, environmental and community initiatives in Cork and throughout Ireland.

For decades, through the TOMAR Trust, they funded many projects at UCC, from student support initiatives to college infrastructure, and while the legacy of this commitment can be seen in many of the buildings in UCC today, the most rewarding outcome to them was the positive impact felt by the students they enabled through education.

Tom was a member of the UCC Governing Body for 23 years, from 1989 to 2012 and a board member of Cork University Foundation from its establishment in 1996 until 2007. He served on several UCC committees, and was a supporter, advisor, and mentor to both students and staff of UCC.

He was a committed philanthropist and friend, to both the university and to the many individuals within the university community who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

A Lasting Legacy

In 2011, in recognition of the support, friendship and loyalty of Tom and Marie Cavanagh, UCC bestowed on them the inaugural WH Crawford Medal for Philanthropy.

Left: Maire and Tom Cavanagh. Above & Right: In 2018, the Cavanagh footbridge on campus was named for Tom and Marie’s lifelong dedication to the college. Photos by Jed Niezgoda.

Cork University Foundation:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“

Philanthropy is helping to transform our campus into a source of inspiration, a place to learn, to research, to innovate and to respond to global societal challenges. ”

Neil O’ Leary Chair, Cork University Foundation

Read the Donor Charter to find out more about the mission and code of ethics that governs the Cork University Foundation.

Chair

Secretary

Ex Officio

Directors

CEO

Neil O’Leary CEO, Ion Equity

Nora Geary Corporate Secretary, UCC

Professor John O’Halloran President, UCC

Maeve Cavanagh O’Shaughnessy Manager, Tomar Trust

John Fitzgerald Private Investor & Advisor

David Merriman CEO, Beechbrook Ireland

Bill Murphy Founder and President, Douglas Management and Realty Inc.

Aidan Synnott Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Kerry Bryson CEO, Cork University Foundation Director of Business Development and Advancement, UCC

A New Home for CUBS

Cork University Business School (CUBS) has taken another step forward in its ambitious plans to deliver outstanding business education in a new state-of-the-art building that will further cement the relationship between town and gown.

Designed by internationally renowned architects, RKD, the new 15,675 sqm business campus on Union Quay will support the regeneration of the city will; support the economic and development needs of Ireland’s South-West region; help grow the talent pipeline; upskill and reskill our workforce; provide further opportunities for collaboration between indigenous and multi-national companies; and enhance an exceptional world-class experience for students and staff.

Shaping Leaders for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Today CUBS is Ireland’s largest business school. Since 2015 there has been 22 new professorial appointments, and with triple accreditation in their sights, is set to be in the top 1% of business schools globally. Sustainable business is central to the strategic vision. Research teams are dedicated to the study of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Food Security, Sustainable Communities and Cities, Climate Action and Supporting Decent Work, Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities.

World-class education requires world-class facilities. To foster collaborations for research, entrepreneurship and innovation, access is needed to the latest technologies, dynamic learning spaces and innovation hubs. This project is a key element in the university’s new Strategic Plan and when complete the €112 million campus will accommodate 4,500 students and 225 faculty. The university has successfully secured government funding towards the cost of the new building and the business plan forecasts a healthy pipeline of national and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. Cork University Foundation is supporting the project with a fundraising campaign and there are a number of gift recognition naming opportunities within the building.

For further information please contact: Alan Deasy, Head of Development College of Business & Law, UCC | a.deasy@ucc.ie

TA LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH THE PRESIDENT

hank you to our many donors and supporters whose commitment and generosity help us to make the world a better and a wiser place through high-quality education, further ambitious research and a meaningful and rewarding experience for students.

In February, we launched the university’s five-year strategic plan, Securing Our Future: UCC Strategic Plan 2023–2028. This plan was developed to position the university optimally in an environment of rapid change and reflects its commitment to a sustainable future for its people, planet, and university.

As we embark on delivering our mission to create and sustain an inclusive environment and culture to enable transformative research and teaching, we are supported by our core values of Compassion, Agility, Integrity, Respect, Discovery, Equity, Accountability and Sustainability. These values will be the foundation for progression and positive change across our organisation, and we all share in the responsibility of upholding them in our behaviors and interactions.

People, both students and staff, are at the heart of our strategy, from supporting cutting-edge research activity and providing life-wide education to putting the appropriate structures in place to support mental health and wellbeing.

Our strategy will further develop and embed, into all of our programmes, the very successful Connected Curriculum which comprises six components: research-based teaching, employability, sustainability, interand trans-disciplinarity, global reach, and civic and community engagement. Through this system, students will see what

they have learned about a subject area through research-based teaching, how to ensure they are globally orientated, how their employability is prioritised, and how their education can contribute to a sustainable future.

The murmuration of starlings (pictured opposite) is a concept I like to use to describe what we are trying to do. The individual is important in any organisation but, more importantly, when we act in the collective, we can do some extraordinary things.

UCC is now ranked as the most sustainable university in Ireland and one of the most sustainable in the world. Last December, UCC was ranked 7th globally in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings which measure sustainability among a total of 1,050 institutions in more than 85 countries.

In a student-led initiative, at the start of 2023 UCC went plastic free, eliminating all singleuse plastic throughout restaurants, shops and vending machines.

We recently launched Sustainable Development Solutions Network Ireland (SDSN), together with our co-host institution Queen’s University Belfast. SDSN Ireland will work with local authorities, NGOs, civil society organisations and policymakers to bring the latest research and best practice to bear on producing solutions for the SDGs.

With these initiatives, and many more, I look forward to delivering our strategic plan, in partnership with you, as we address and overcome the challenges in the years ahead.

Professor John O’Halloran President, University College Cork

“ The interesting thing about a murmuration is that it is agile and organic, and derives its strength from collective curiosity, trust and collaboration as it responds to change. It seems, to me, an appropriate metaphor to help us to articulate what I believe is the collective strength of our institution.

”

Professor John O’Halloran President, UCC

If you have any queries, or would like to visit campus and learn more about UCC’s funding priorities, please contact any member of staff:

Director of Business Development and Advancement UCC.

Director of Development, Alumni and Development, UCC.

Director of Communications, Alumni and Development, UCC.

NOTES:

Cork University Foundation, University College Cork (RCN No: 20033385)

UCC Educational Foundation (UK), University College Cork (Registration No. 1021681)

c/o Alumni and Development, University College Cork

2.12 Western Gateway Building | Western Road | Cork | T12 XF62 | Ireland

E: foundation@ucc.ie

T: