A mother and daughter were among the 1652 students from IT Sligo who attended their graduation last week. This is an increase of over 100 graduates on last year and is on target for the 2022 strategic plan to double graduations at IT Sligo to 3000.
The students have graduated in 93 courses over the three faculties of Science, Engineering & Design and Business and Social Science. Among those graduating are students from countries across the globe including; Oman, Malaysia, Romania and Canada.
One student stood out among the 1,600 other graduates. Stuart Haxell (pictured below) from Sligo, is blind and has been a student of Marketing and Business for six years at IT Sligo. On Friday, he graduated with a Masters in Marketing and received a standing ovation when he collected his parchment with guide dog, Elmo.
The Institute also has a mother and daughter graduating together this year from the school of Business. Siobhan and Rachel Dooner who graduated in business and accountancy, respectively, were both incredibly proud of each others achievements. Daughter Rachel said; “We often would meet for lunch which was lovely and I want to follow in her footsteps. It’s been an emotional day and I’ll miss parading my mum around campus.”
Speaking at the graduation President of IT Sligo, Dr Brendan McCormack welcomed the graduates and their families:
“It is an honour and a pleasure to welcome each of you here. Today we are honouring your hard earned success. Your efforts have brought distinction to you personally, to the Institute and to the often unheralded and silent partners in higher education, your inspiring and supportive families and friends.”
Three students were also conferred with doctoral degrees. Thais Diniz Oliveira, from Brazil, and Tarha Westby from Sligo were awarded PhD’s in Science. Kelly Maguire (pictured above), from Mullingar received her doctoral degree in Marketing & Tourism and is now a Senior Lecturer in Liverpool John Moores University.