Professor Tonra’s remarks were made to the students at the culmination of their undergraduate studies at University College Dublin. Each year, some 4,000 students graduate from UCD and go on to employment, further study, travel, or to create their own businesses.
Whichever choices students make about their plans after their undergraduate studies, they go forth with the skills and knowledge that will allow them to capitalise on the opportunities that arise for them. The also take with them a “membership” of Ireland’s largest alumni community and the knowledge that they are part of continuing tradition of nation builders.
Before they leave UCD, the conferring ceremonies offer an opportunity for the university to recognise the students’ accomplishments, and acknowledge the critical support of parents and families. For the students, it’s a time to share with their friends the common achievement of individual goals.
At the December 2009 conferrings, several of UCD’s leading academics addressed the graduates, to give them some thought-provoking advice as they plan their next career moves in a rapidly-changing world.
Prof Declan Kiberd – upholding the liberal tradition
“Since the world exists, everything in it must be studied, and you have studied it very very well.”
Prof Diarmuid Ferriter – Lessons from history for the class of 2009
“The revolution that founded this state nearly 100 years ago was a revolution of the young; that revolution ultimately created a republic; it’s up to you to define what the values of that republic should and will be…”
Prof Gerard Fealy – the badge of quality and the weight of history
“… your University is now part of an elite group of universities worldwide. But elitism does not mean that we are not concerned with the everyday issues of our society and those of our fellow citizens…”
Prof Ben Tonra - Nation-builders
“…you are preparing yourselves for jobs and technologies that don’t exist yet, in order to solve problems that we have not yet even heard about. Your education isn’t finishing today – it is beginning today.”
Prof Anne Fogarty - In the spirit of James Joyce
“Joyce… can distill from everything around him a new spirit of optimism. A kind of radical vision.”
Prof Ian O'Donnell - The kind of society we mold, molds us in return
Criminology offers two lifelong challenges: the intellectual pursuit; and the translation of ideas into practical social activities that have a transformative impact.
Prof Cormac Taylor – travel proudly as a UCD graduate
“The impact and importance of what you do with your degrees cannot be understated”
Prof Dermot Moran - We live in each others’ shadows
“Our education is our preparation… we will be required to draw on our knowledge, our critical skills, our creative and imaginative drives, our intellect, and our imaginations. We need to collectively to imagine a better future for this country.”
Prof Colm Harmon – Ireland and its brightest people
"Ireland can, and should lead the world in developing a higher education system to ensure that we continue to create [graduates] that can adopt, adapt and absorb and thrive in a global economy. Investing in education is investing in more knowledge.”