25 June 2003.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Medal

Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver with Dr Art Cosgrove at the announcement of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Medal in UCD.

University College Dublin announced the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Medal at a ceremony attended by Mrs Kennedy Shriver on 25 June 2003.

The medal marks Eunice Kennedy Shriver's distinguished service as founder and Honorary Chairman of the Special Olympics. It will be awarded annually to the Masters student whose thesis is deemed of special merit in advancing knowledge related to families of people with disabilities, or to the professional workers who engage with people with disabilities. The announcement was made during the week when Ireland welcomes the Special Olympics World Games, an expression of the life work of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Following a study visit to the United States in 1995, sponsored by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr Foundation, an interdisciplinary Centre for Disability Studies was established in UCD. Postgraduate courses at degree and diploma levels, funded research, international exchange programmes, peer-reviewed publications and a diverse array of conferences, workshops and public lectures take place today within the Centre, led by Ireland's first Professor of Disability Studies, Patricia Noonan Walsh.

For further information please contact Ruth Gallagher, Office of Public Affairs, UCD, tel: 716 1681.
Issued by the Office of Public Affairs. 25 June 2003.

 

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