By Zöe Percival and Erin Miller.
Last night, DCU hosted the first Student Impact Awards in the U, with 29 awards handed out.
The U Building was transformed, featuring a reception in the Hive that included food and drinks upon arrival. There was live music and drinks in Nubar for the afterparty.
Despite technical difficulties, SU President Shane Murphy hosted the event, joined by the President of DCU, Dáire Keogh, who presented the awards to the winners.
Keogh spoke briefly on the location change and thanked those who made it possible.
“When we used to be in the Crowne Plaza, it felt like a wedding. But there’s a very different vibe going on here tonight.
“What makes DCU special, I always say the same thing, it’s the students who make it special.”
Chairperson of the Society Life Committee, Sarah McMahon, also spoke on her time in office and how important it is that we celebrate clubs and societies.
Through tears, she recounts her own time as a student and thanks the Students’ Union.
“I’ve never seen societies band together the way you guys have done so this year. Community is at the heart of what we do here. Each of you is working tirelessly on your committees to make a home for people who do not have one.
“I wasn’t so lucky to make friends in my class. I made them here. I found my home in Karting.
“So win or lose, we should all be so proud of the difference you guys made in each and every one of your members’ lives.”
Society of the Year – HerCampus
Shortlist – Accounting and Finance, Drama, and HerCampus
Club of the Year – Soccer
Shortlist – Surf and Sail, Swimming and Waterpolo, and Soccer
Society Personality of the Year – Benjamin Watson Politics Society
Sports Personality of the Year – Dannah O’Brien, Ladies’ Rugby
Best Society Event – HerCampus
Shortlist – Science and Health: Golden Ratio Ball, Law: Women in Law Week, and HerCampus: Magazine Launch
Team of the Year – Road Relays Team Athletics Club
Shortlist – Women’s Soccer, Men’s Intervarsity Volleyball, and Athletics Road Relay
Most Promising Society – eSport
Shortlist – Debate, Orchestra, and eSport
Most Promising Club – Table Tennis
Shortlist – Outdoor Adventure and Table Tennis
Best New Society – Pool & Snooker
Shortlist – Postgraduates, Science & Health and Pool & Snooker
Best Activity – Dungeons and Dragons
Shortlist – Poker and Dungeons and Dragons
Best Society Collaboration- HerCampus
Best Promotional Video Society – Raising and Giving
Best Promotional Video Club – Volleyball
Best Society Photograph – French Society
Best Club Photograph – Men’s Rugby
Best Promotional Poster Society – Science and Health
Best Promotional Poster Club – Archery
Outstanding contribution to student life as a class representative
- Sara Shaeib Institute of Education
- Marion Aigbirio Science and Health
- John Markham Humanities and Social Sciences
- Jake Farrell Engineering and Computing
- Isha Tanwar Business
Individual contribution to society life
- Adam Wilkinson – Redbrick
- Alison Browne – Yoga
- Aoife Guanzon – Redbrick
- Caríosa Sweeney – St Vincent
- Charlotte Buckley – Pool and Snooker
- Eoghan Smithers – Karting
- Ethan Fleming – Drama
- Grace Byrne – Dance
- Irina Grigorescu – Arts and Crafts
- Isabella Gordon – Enterprise
- Regina Chow – Law
- Lilith Toal – LGBT
- Sophie O’Leary – Science and Health
- Sophie King – MPS
Individual contribution to club life
- Aine O’Rourke – Rock climbing
- Anna Pris – Gym and trampolining
- Ehis Oghina – Soccer
- Finn Woodger – Athletic’s
- Iman Mabadeje- Gym and trampolining
- Niall Golden – Swimming and Water Polo
- Ryan Winters – Outdoor Adventure
Outstanding Contribution to Peer Mentoring
- Hazel Ibrahim Aly
- Hudaifa Elsheikh
- Muhammad Roshdy
Graduate Contribution to a Society
Conor Heffernan McGarry – Drama
Graduate Contribution to a Club
Alizée Leleu – Sub Aqua
Student Volunteers of the Year
“Celebrate students who have gone above and beyond for their community”
- Cariosa Sweeney
- Niamh Dolan
- Sarah Gavin
Sports Scholar of the Year
Emma Moore from the Athletics Club
Arts Bursary Recipients
- Melissa Campana
- Ruari Condra
- Ana Murphy
- Charlie Goodlife
- Ciara Stell
- Colum Gartland
- Therese Blayney
- Matthew Cullen
- Niamh Hannan
- Maria Smau
- Catherine Tsvikovych
- Dearbhla McCormick
- Matthew Surkov
- Lauren Clerkin
- Katie Larkin
- Michael Zholob
- Sophie Byrne
- Shane’s McConnon
- Christopher Lovett
- Ava Thompson
Society fresher of the year
Ally Brett – Drama
Male club fresher of the year
Gabriel Siruma – Volleyball
Female club fresher of the year
Emilija Latvyte – Archery