Winners announced for the Arthur Cox ‘Contribution to University Life’ Awards

Lorraine Sheridan, BBL, and Peadar Flood, Law with French Law, were recently awarded the Arthur Cox ‘Contribution to University Life’ prizes by Eve Mulconry, a litigation partner in the firm. The awards honour the contribution of Law students to university life and this can be in sporting activities, student societies, initiatives to improve the university community or the relationship between the university and the wider community.   

(left to right) Prof Bairbre Redmond, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Deputy Registrar for Teaching & Learning, Lorraine Sheridan, Eve Mulconry and Diana Diamond of Arthur Cox, Prof Joe McMahon, Dean of Law.

At a reception in the Sutherland School of Law, Diana Diamond of Arthur Cox spoke about significant contribution that the winners and shortlisted students have made to university life.  She complimented the great achievements of finalists, Isabel Cooke, Nadia Skelton , Jennifer Anderson and Tamarin Smal.  Achievements which included important roles in the Law Society, playing, coaching and leading on the Hockey and Netball field, not to mention taking part in Debating and Mooting events and extra-curricular events such as the Harvard National Model United Nations Trip.

This year’s  winners were chosen because of the outstanding commitment they demonstrated in helping others in UCD and the wider community.  Peadar Flood’s School’s Outreach Programme which he ran in conjunction with the UCD Access Centre and the Literary & Historical Society, was one such accomplishment. The programme provided debating workshops to DEIS schools and economically disadvantaged students, to promote debating and public speaking while at the same time encouraging them to consider embarking on a third level education. He has also been awarded a Medal for Outstanding Service and Dedication by the L&H, and as a Bord na Gaeilge scholar promoted the Irish language on campus through céilís for international students, Yoga as Gaeilge and publishing an Irish magazine called Cogar.  Peadar is currently studying in Toulouse and unfortunately was unable to attend the awards evening.  Fellow winner, Lorraine Sheridan has also made a really outstanding contribution to her fellow students, and to the wider community, since coming to UCD.  As a Residential Assistant on Campus in the UCD Residences, she ensures that students  there have a safe and secure environment in which to live in. Frequently working evening shifts, she can also be on call through the night to resolve emergency issues for distressed students.  She also gives a significant amount of her time to help run the Reslife programme of events, providing new and international students in particular, a variety of social occasions where they can meet new people. Lorraine has also found the time to be a volunteer tutor with the Access Centre since joining UCD.  As part of this, she spent one evening a week tutoring a leaving certificate student from a disadvantaged area in Dublin in subjects such as biology and business.

Both of these outstanding students have demonstrated the kind of commitment consistent with the aims of this award from Arthur Cox Solicitors which both representatives from the firm spoke passionately about.  These aims are to encourage students to avail fully of the opportunities that university offers them; to be innovators and catalysts for change; consistently to improve their community; increase their potential and contribute towards a sound society and a dynamic economy.  

Isabel Cooke, finalist, with Eve Mulconry, Arthur Cox

BBL award-winner, Lorraine Sheridan with Marion Sheridan and Marie Harnett              

Dr TJ McIntyre, Prof Bairbre Redmond and John O’Connor, BCL Programme Manager.

Tamarin Smal, finalist

Nadia Skelton, finalist

Diana Diamond, Head of the Trainee Development Programme, Arthur Cox

Mary Anderson, mother of finalist Jennifer Anderson who was unable to attend as she is currently studying in Belgium.