Three local ‘changemakers’ recognised for contribution to society

THREE locals were recognised for their contributions to society at the Dublin City University (DCU) Alumni Awards last week.

The awardees included the principal of St Aidan’s Community School in Brookfield, Kevin Shortall; the CEO of Tallaght University Hospital, Lucy Nugent; and the general secretary of Housing Europe, Lucan woman Sorcha Edwards.

The DCU Alumni Awards took place last Friday, January 19, and honour alumni who, through their exceptional ability and leadership, have achieved excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Kilnamanagh native and local school principal Kevin Shortall told The Echo that he was surprised when he found out he would receive an award from his alma mater, and fondly remembered his time in DCU.

His route into education was a meandering one, as he left school in 1988 without a Leaving Cert, before returning to school in 1990 and completing the exam in 1991.

After this, he gained entry to DCU’s Bachelor of Education degree course, followed by a Master of Education which then set his career as a teacher and, later, as a principal, in motion.

Lucy Nugent, CEO of Tallaght University Hospital proudly shows off her award

Mr Shortall was noted at the awards for being an innovator and pioneer in education and for being a founder of the SPOTLITE programme.

SPOTLITE (Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning in the Educational Space) is a unique and groundbreaking model of student participation with the potential to transform education.

Commenting on how he felt when he received the award, Mr Shortall told The Echo: “When I looked at the other people and the list…and there was little old me from Tallaght, it was a huge surprise.

“The mission of DCU and the reason they give out the awards is to recognise those graduates around the world who are transforming lives and society through their work.

“If that means the work we do in St Aidan’s is transforming lives and society, then that means a lot to me.

“Something that’s good for me is good for the school, so if I’m getting an award, it’s for the school.

“It reflects well on the school and the staff were thrilled.”

Similarly, the CEO of Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Lucy Nugent, said the award win was a marker of success for the entire hospital team and she saw the achievement as a team effort.

“I am extremely honoured to have received this award,” Ms Nugent told The Echo, “but in healthcare there is no room for individualism in that it is team-based.

“So, on behalf of my many colleagues and with the support of family and friends, I am delighted to accept this award.”

Ms Nugent graduated from her Nursing Studies degree at DCU in 2003 and over the following decade she worked in a number of roles as a registered general and children’s nurse in Temple Street.

She then progressed to the role of clinical and patient services manager and was made COO at TUH in 2014 before being appointed Deputy CEO in 2016 and then acceding to her current role in January 2019.

Lucan native Sorcha Edwards has been the general secretary of Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing providers since 2014.

Ms Edwards was also presented with a DCU Alumni Award for her work, which includes helping to manage 25 million homes and deliver over 200,000 new homes and renovations annually.

Under Ms Edward’s leadership, Housing Europe has become a point of reference for sustainable housing systems in Europe.

It’s work coordinates the network for maximum impact in better regulation, better knowledge and better finance for housing in EU and International policy-making.

Ms Edwards graduated with a degree in Languages from DCU and continued her studies with postgraduate qualifications in Business and in European Studies at the University of Ulster and at the University of Leuven.

DCU President Prof Dáire Keogh said: “I am delighted to present these awards to a special group of DCU alumni who have done exceptional things in diverse fields including healthcare, tech, diversity, housing, business and sport.

“Our alumni are changemakers who consistently deliver on our university’s mission to ‘transform lives and societies’.

“In celebrating these great individuals, we celebrate the impact of DCU’s more than 100,000 alumni worldwide.”