IRISH FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NUMBER 24 AUTUMN 2008 NEWSLETTER

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1 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 1 NEWSLETTER THIRTEENTH ANNUAL SCHOLARS DINNER. ST PATRICK S HALL, DUBLIN CASTLE MAY 29TH 2008 The 2008 Irish Fulbright Scholars pictured at Dublin Castle with (3rd from left, front row) Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, Ms Una Halligan (Chairperson of Irish Fulbright Commission), Ms Colleen Dube (Executive Director of Fulbright Commission), Professor Thérèse Fahy (President IFAA), and H.E. Thomas C. Foley (Ambassador of the United States to Ireland). The annual Fulbright Scholar s Dinner is now firmly established as one of the social highlights of the year for the Fulbright community in Ireland. This year s event took place on Thursday May 29th at Dublin Castle and was attended by 165 people. The event was primarily a celebration of the 30 newly selected 2008/2009 Irish Fulbright scholars. This year also a number of visiting US Fulbright scholars were present, and also received awards. The evening began with a relaxing reception, followed by a wonderful meal in the grand surroundings of St Patrick s Hall. Frank McGoldrick (Vice President, Irish Fulbright Alumni Association) acted as MC for the evening. Distinguished guests included H.E. Thomas C. Foley, Ambassador of the United States to Ireland and Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs. Musical entertainment was provided by two of this year s Fulbright awardees Dr Paul Roe (Clarinet) and Patrick Groenland (Guitar). IFAA President Thérèse Fahy captured the mood of the evening when she stated in her address: We see the remarkable contributions that Fulbright Alumni have made to practically every sphere of Irish society: from architecture, banking, and commerce to music, poetry, sociology, science and technology. In addition approximately 500 American citizens have received awards under the American Irish programme. A key strength of the Fulbright Programme everywhere lies in the shared sense of honour and pride in being a Fulbrighter. We should therefore all be very proud of what this very special programme has achieved in Ireland in the last (Continued on page 2) Calendar of events: Autumn 2008 Spring 2009 Thanksgiving Dinner: November at Dublin City University Contact: Dr Sarah Ingle sarah.ingle@dcu.ie January : Orientation of new US Fulbrighters in Dublin (Fulbright Commission) January 19 Feb ruary : Interviews for Irish Fulbright awards (Fulbright Commission) Scholars Dinner 2009: Thursday June 11th at Dublin Castle. PAGE 1

2 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 2 IRISH FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NUMBER 24 AUTUMN 2008 fifty-one years, as we celebrate tonight, with our new Scholars of Later when presenting the awards Ms Una Halligan, Chairperson of the Fulbright Commission stated: I am thrilled to say that for the academic year, the Fulbright Commission is awarding a record 60 scholarships 30 to Irish citizens and 30 to US citizens. This year s Irish recipients include: 14 Students, 9 Scholars, 7 Foreign Language Teaching Assistants who will be teaching the Irish language throughout the US. The Commission is also grateful to the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association for including 7 of our US Fulbright recipients for the academic year in tonight s celebrations. The evening was greatly enjoyed by all present, and drew gradually and Dr Paul Roe (Clarinet) and Patrick Groenland (Guitar) entertaining the guests at pleasantly to a close around pm. the Scholars Dinner in St Patrick s Hall, Dublin Castle. IFAA MEDAL OF HONOUR PRESENTED TO JOHN O LOUGHLIN KENNEDY contribution to the work of the Association. One of the most recent recipients was Mrs Harriet Fulbright - widow of the late Senator William Fulbright when she visited Dublin to speak at an IFAA function in November This year in May 2008, at the Annual Scholars Dinner in Dublin Castle the Medal of Honour was presented to another outstanding member of our Association John IFAA President Thérèse Fahy presents the IFAA O Loughlin Kennedy. Medal of Honour to John O Loughlin Kennedy. In presenting Loughy with the Medal IFAA In recent years the IFAA has President Thérèse Fahy said: regularly presented its highest Tonight, we are presenting the symbolic merit award the IFAA Irish Fulbright Alumni Medal of Medal of Honour to special Honour to a very cherished individuals who have made a major alumnus: someone who has had a remarkable life and career, hugely influenced by his Fulbright experience, this person was the joint editor, along with John Hurley, of our Jubilee Directory of Irish Fulbright Alumni, which was launched last November. Having completed a degree in Economics in UCD, he ran the Hallmark Cards plant in Ireland, and was awarded his Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Graduate School of Business Administration at UCLA in 1961/62. His US visit had an extraordinary impact on him. He was very impressed and influenced by the American can do attitude, and when he heard reports from Africa of famine in Biafra in 1968, it was, as he says himself, his California confidence that lead him to found the charity CONCERN. Between chartering ships and aircraft, 12,000 tons of relief supplies were sent to the starving people of this small African (Continued on page 4) PAGE 2

3 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 3 PRESENTATIONS TO THE NEW IRISH FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS (2008) The centrepiece of the evening at Dublin Castle on May 29th was the formal presentations of Fulbright award certificates to 30 new Irish scholars who will be studying, researching and teaching in the USA over the next year or two. The awards were presented by Ms Una Halligan Chairperson of the Fulbright Commission to the following recipients: Dr. Giuliana Adamo, a lecturer in the Department of Italian at Trinity College Dublin will research the Western Literary Canon at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Anne Corbett completed a Masters in Sociolinguistics in NuaGhaeilge NUI Galway in Anne will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Ms. Caren Crowley, the recipient of the Fulbright - CRH Award in Business Studies, is undertaking her Ph.D. at the Centre for Innovation & Structural Change at NUI Galway. Caren will undertake research on organisational learning at the University of Kentucky. Mr. Michael Daly, a Ph.D. candidate in Psychology at Trinity College Dublin will research emotional regulation and its psychophysiological correlates at Florida State University. Michael Daly receiving his Fulbright award. Mr. Rory Deverell, a Ph.D candidate in Agriculture at University College Dublin, is the recipient of the Fulbright Teagasc Award in Agriculture and Food Science / Policy. Rory will analyze and assess the effect that the ethanol industry has had on farm incomes, market stability and environmental protection at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Thelma Egan, the second recipient of the Fulbright Teagasc Award in Agriculture and Food Science Policy, will undertake research at the University of California, Davis in the area of food science that combines food chemistry and food technology to enhance the health benefits of natural food derived bioactives. Mr. Patrick Groenland a graduate of NUI Maynooth, will undertake training in jazz performance and composition at Berklee College in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Úna Méabh Herron is currently completing her post-graduate certificate in Education at St. Mary s University College Belfast. Úna will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Tom Jeffers received his B.A. International in History and Irish from UCD in 2007 and is returning from Denmark to be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ms. Naomi Keena is currently working at ODOS Architects here in Dublin. She intends to undertake a Masters in Architecture in the US. Dr. Oran Kennedy, a Ph.D. recipient in Bioengineering from Trinity College Dublin, is currently based at the Department of Anatomy in the Royal College of Surgeons. Oran will undertake research in the area of Bioengineering at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NY. Mr. David Kenny is currently completing his LL.B at Trinity College Dublin. David will undertake a Master s of Law (LL.M) focusing on Constitutional and Comparative Law at Harvard Law School. Dr. Elfed Lewis, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick, will undertake research in the area of Miniature Optical Fibre Pressure Sensor for Biomedical Applications at the University of Central Florida. Ms. Rathnait Long, the recipient of the Fulbright Enterprise Ireland award in Science, Technology and Innovation, will research fabrication and characterisation of Metal Oxide Semiconductor devices at Stanford University as part of her Ph.D. in Engineering at University College Cork s Tyndall Institute. Mr. Ryan Marshall is currently undertaking a Graduate Diploma in International Relations at The Bologna Center in Italy. In the US, Ryan will undertake a Masters at the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. Ms. Caroline Martin, the recipient of the Fulbright EPA Award in Environmental Science / Policy. Caroline is currently finishing her Bachelor of Science in Earth and Ocean Sciences at NUI Galway. Caroline will begin research for her Ph.D. in Climate Change at Columbia University. Ms. Anne Mulhall received her Masters in Anglo-Irish Literature from UCD. She intends to complete a Masters in Comparative Literature at New York University. Ms. Eimear Ní Cheallaigh completed her Masters in Irish at NUI Galway in Eimear will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York. Ms. Alanna Ní Mhíocháin finished her B.Sc. in Speech and Language studies at Trinity College Dublin in She will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship at the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale Ms. Maedhbh M. Nic Dhonnchadha, of Acadamh na hollscolaíochta Gaeilge in NUI Galway is the recipient of the Fulbright Irish Language Scholar Award. Maedhbh will assist in cataloguing the Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill collection in the Burns Library in Boston College. PAGE 3

4 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 4 Dr. Niamh Nowlan, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin, will research Forcing Bone: Interplay between Mechanics and Molecules during Bone Formation at Boston University. Niamh Nolan receiving her Fulbright award Dr. Gillian O Brien, a History lecturer at St. Patrick s College, Drumcondra, will research Crime of the Century : The Murder of Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin in Chicago, May 1889 at Newberry Library in Chicago. Ms. Grace O Malley received her Masters in Science from Trinity College Dublin in 2007 and will research Type II Diabetes in Children at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. Paul Raftery, the recipient of the Fulbright Glen Dimplex Award in Science, Technology and Renewables is a PhD candidate in Engineering at NUI Galway. He will research energy management at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Dr. Paul Roe, a Performer and Music Lecturer at the Royal Irish Academy of Music will research the Practice-Based Study of Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy in Klezmer Music at Mannes College in New York. Dr. Moynagh Sullivan is the recipient of the Fulbright Award in Irish Literary and Cultural Studies at UC-Berkeley. Dr. Sullivan, a Lecturer in the School of English, Media and theatre Studies at NUI Maynooth will research Inside Out: Gender, Psychoanalysis and Irish Culture. Ms. Ciara Wadden has just completed a Dióploma Iarchéime san Oideachas at NUI Galway. She will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of Montana. The following 3 Irish Fulbright recipients were presented in absentia. Dr. Kieran Conboy, a lecturer in Information Systems at NUI Galway, will research the area of Budgeting Techniques in Agile Information Systems Development Projects at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. John Keatings is currently completing his post-graduate certificate in Education at Queen s University Belfast. He will be a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at New York University. Dr. Shane Kilcommins, a lecturer in Law based at the Faculty of Law in University College Cork, will research The Accused in the Irish Criminal Process at Temple University, Philadelphia. The following 4 Americans, who received Fulbright awards in 2007 and were currently studying and researching in Ireland, were also presented with certificates by Ms Halligan: Dr. James Hoerter from Ferris State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan who is based at the FOCAS institute at the Dublin Institute of Technology where he is researching skin cancer. Dr. Anita Ramasastry from the University of Washington in Seattle who is researching and teaching at the National University of Ireland Galway s Centre for Human Rights. Dr. Ramasastry also visited Norway as a guest of its Commission. Dr. Michael Rosenberg from John s Hopkins University who is collaborating with St. Patrick s College, Drumcondra on strategies to ensure that there is a qualified special education teacher in every classroom. Dr. Daniel A. Sarr of the National Parks Service and Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. With co-funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Sarr is based at the National University of Ireland Galway to evaluate the effects of livestock grazing on diversity. IFAA MEDAL OF HONOUR PRESENTED TO JOHN O LOUGHLIN KENNEDY (Continued from page 2) region. This year CONCERN is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and now works in 28 countries. It raises and distributes over A120 million annually in Disaster Relief and Development Aid. Having worked for a time, in economic research, with Garret Fitzgerald at the Economist Intelligence Unit of Ireland, his interest in the Third Word ultimately lead to a commitment to the environment, and to three years as Director of An Taisce. Loughy is to celebrate his 76th birthday in December and he is now writing a book on the relationship between theology and management in the Catholic Church. And so, this year, as a mark of our huge appreciation, and enormous admiration, we present our Medal of Honour to our dear friend and colleague, John O Loughlin Kennedy. Although surprised by the occasion, Loughy nevertheless accepted the Medal with his usual quiet grace and sophistication. IFAA acknowledges with thanks the support of our valued sponsors: Athlone Institute of Technology Cork Institute of Technology Griffith College Dublin IDA Ireland NUI Galway NUI Maynooth University College Cork University College Dublin University of Limerick Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Trinity College Dublin PAGE 4

5 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 5 CLIONA GOLDEN, FORMER IFAA NEWSLETTER EDITOR, MIGRATES BACK TO THE USA Photo of Cliona outside her new home near the Hudson river, New York. Currently surrounded by the stunning autumn colours of Hudson River Valley woods in Upstate New York, Cliona has had a busy few months since stepping down from the IFAA Executive Committee in May. After two very enjoyable years on the Committee, first as an ordinary member and later as Newsletter Editor, that coincided with the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Fulbright in Ireland, she accepted a two-year visiting position in Mathematics at Bard College, which is a liberal arts college about a two-hour drive north of New York City. Over the summer, in addition to packing up and getting ready to travel to the US, she and her fiance (who met while Cliona was on her Fulbright exchange) celebrated their marriage at a leafy location in Co. Meath. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, and everyone involved is still thanking the weather gods for some incredible good fortune: it stopped raining directly before the outdoor ceremony and started showering again only after all guests were seated inside that evening for dinner! Cliona s position at Bard started in September, and she has since been enjoying teaching a group of motivated students within a community of interesting and wideranging faculty in an idyllic campus setting beside the scenic Hudson River. She has also been taking advantage of the flourishing cultural life in the area, including attending concerts at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on campus, regular recitals by members of the Bard Conservatory of Music, and, of course, the myriad of events at venues in nearby New York City. One of the bittersweet benefits of the Fulbright exchange is growing used to living both in your home country and in the US. While living in Ireland after her Fulbright exchange, Cliona missed aspects of life in the US. Now, happy to be back in the US, she misses family, friends, and life in Ireland. However, flying between New York is so manageable, and internet phonecalls so affordable, that it s really possible to enjoy both and, while in New York, she s been enjoying being on the mailing list of the IFAA where she hears news of IFAA events back home in Ireland. IFAA COMMITTEE President Professor Thérèse Fahy Royal Irish Academy of Music, Westland Row, Dublin 2 theresefahy@eircom.net Vice-President Mr Frank McGoldrick, 31 The Alders, Monkstown Valley, Monkstown, Co. Dublin Honorary Secretary David Fennelly davidfennelly@gmail.com Honorary Treasurer Professor Ciaran O hogartaigh, University College Dublin. Ciaran.OhOgartaigh@ucd.ie Membership Secretary Dr Paul Donnelly, School of Marketing, Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street, Dublin 2 paul.donnelly@dit.ie Newsletter Editor Dr Aidan Kennedy, 145 Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3 akennedy@circa.ie Ordinary Members Dr Maeve Martin, Department of Education, NUI Maynooth maeve.martin@nuim.ie Professor Séamus Ó Cinnéide, Jean Monnet Chair, Centre for Applied Social Studies, NUI Maynooth cinneide@may.ie Professor Patrick Clancy University College Dublin patrick.clancy@ucd.ie Niamh Dunne niamh@nyu.edu Dr Sarah Ingle Business School, Dublin City University sarah.ingle@dcu.ie Paul Quigley Allied Irish Banks Ltd paul.j.quigley@aib.ie PAGE 5

6 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 6 JOHN HURLEY AND WILLIE REVILLE STEP DOWN FROM IFAA COMMITTEE This year saw John Hurley leave the committee after ten years of active involvement. Following his Fulbright at Stanford University in 1994, where his research revolved around 16 Nobel laureates in science, John became involved with the Association, joining the committee in 1998 and serving in the roles of Vice- President ( ) and President ( ). John has remained an active member of the committee and, with John O Loughlin- Kennedy, completed the Jubilee Directory, a project he initiated during his time as President. He also took the initiative to organise the Jubilee Symposium with his sub-committee, in November During John s tenure as President he sought to encourage younger members to become involved in the work of the committee, in the process facilitating the rejuvenation of the committee and allowing for accumulated committee knowhow to be passed on. It was in the context of his service to the IFAA that John was awarded the Association s medal at the 10th Annual Fulbright Scholar s Dinner in June This year also saw the departure from the Committee of Willie Reville, former IFAA President and outstanding contributor to the work of IFAA over many years. There is no danger that Willie will be left with time on his hands however, as he continues to have multiple responsibilities at UCC, and is already well established as Ireland s foremost science writer through his weekly Science Today column in the Irish Times. COMMEMORATING ANNE LEAHY Early October 08 saw a concert take place in Dublin s Pro-Cathedral to mark the first anniversary of the passing of our dear friend and fellow Fulbrighter, Anne Leahy. Featuring Bach s Mass in B Minor, the evening saw the Dublin Bach Singers, the Orchestra of Saint Cecilia, conductor Blánaid Murphy and soloists (Colette Boushell, Anna-Louise Costello, Victoria Massey, Duncan Brickenden, Andrew Boushell and John-Owen Miley-Read) give of their time both to remember Anne and to raise funds for the Anne Leahy Scholarship Fund. Indeed, such was the response that a full cathedral meant some of the proceeds also made their way to Saint Francis Hospice, Raheny, where Anne spent her last days. The evening reflected the esteem and affection which Anne still draws, said the appreciation in the concert programme. We celebrate Anne s life and enthusiasm and we can best commemorate her by emulating her boundless generosity and enthusiasm in the promotion of all aspects of art and music. Newcomers to the IFAA Committee 2008/2009 It was a great pleasure to see five energetic members stepping forward to join the IFAA Committee this year. They are: Professor Patrick Clancy of UCD (Fulbright New Century Scholar 2005) Mr David Fennelly (New York University, 2004) Dr Paul Quigley, of AIB Bank (University of Illinois, 1996) Dr Sarah Ingle, of DCU s Business School (Arizona State University, 2006) Niamh Dunne, (New York University, 2006). There can be no doubt that their impact on IFAA affairs will be considerable. IFAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008 This year s AGM was held at American College Dublin (1 Merrion Square, Dublin) with kind permission of the College President on Wednesday May 14th, members attended. The work of the outgoing committee was favourably reviewed. Three outstanding members of the Committee stood down John Hurley, Willie Reville and Cliona Golden. The President warmly thanked them all for their major contributions during the preceding years. A new Committee was elected (see page 5) and started the year re-juvenated by the addition of five new members (see left). FULBRIGHT GROUP VISITS NATIONAL CONCERT HALL In what is now a traditional Autumn event, a group of about 30 Fulbright Fellows and friends visited the National Concert Hall on Friday October 31st to enjoy an evening of music with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. This year s outing was ably organised by Séamus Ó Cinnéide of the IFAA Committee. The group included several visiting American Fulbright Fellows and after the concert everyone retired to the nearby Conrad Hotel where a Comhluadar session of animated conversation and socialising continued for some considerable time. This year s visit to the NCH was extra special because IFAA President Thérèse Fahy was the soloist in the performance of the piano concerto Réveil des Oiseaux by French composer Messiaen. Thérèse and the orchestra provided magical moments of musical bird song for the audience, culminating in the spectacular dawn chorus, which lingered in our minds long after the concert finished. Further Comhluadar social gatherings of Fulbrighters and friends will take place regularly during Dates to be announced. PAGE 6

7 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 7 IRISH FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NUMBER 24 AUTUMN 2008 SCENES FROM THE FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS DINNER AT DUBLIN CASTLE, MAY 2008 Edmund O'Toole, Caroline Martin, Eamon Martin, and Gabrielle Martin Fran O Rourke, Gabriela Meyer, William Reville, Breda McLeavey. Gerry, Lidia, Paul and Helen Raftery PAGE 7 Grace O Malley receiving her Fulbright award Ciara Wadden receiving her Fulbright award Rory Deverell receiving his Fulbright award

8 ifaa newsletter:layout 1 06/11/ :32 Page 8 IRISH FULBRIGHT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Margaret Ó hógartaigh, Paul and Patricia Quigley, Lar Joye Elaine Ryan, Timmina Kennedy and Oran Kennedy NUMBER 24 AUTUMN 2008 Grace O Malley receiving her Fulbright award Giulana Adamo receiving her Fulbright award Paul Roe receiving his Fulbright award Carol O'Sullivan, Shane Colgan, John Breen, Muireann Cullen PAGE 8