October 2016 Honours for Connacht Rugby Coach at NUI Galway

Pat Lam to be conferred with honorary doctorate during conferring week

Pat Lam, head coach of Connacht Rugby, and former rugby international is to be recognised at NUI Galway with an honorary degree for his achievements which have significantly enriched both Connacht and the wider community. The ceremony on 17 October, will form part of NUI Galway’s Autumn Conferring Ceremonies at which over 2,500 students will graduate between 13-19 October. Pat Lam joins sporting luminaries including the late Christy O’Connor Snr and Jr, and Mick Loftus, in being recognised with an honorary degree by the University.

Pat Lam is a New Zealand born rugby union coach who in May 2016, led Connacht Rugby to their first championship win and first trophy in 131 years by winning the Guinness PRO12. Of Samoan descent, he was previously an international player representing New Zealand and Samoa as well as playing in the English Premiership.

In advance of the conferring ceremonies, Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway, said:

“On behalf of NUI Galway, I congratulate all our graduands and extend a warm welcome to their parents, families and friends. We are delighted to acknowledge their outstanding achievements and wish them continued success in the future.”

President Browne added: “Earlier this year, NUI Galway offered its heartiest congratulations to Pat Lam, his heroic players and committed backroom team on their massive win in the Rugby PRO12 Final. We are delighted to now formally recognise the contribution of Pat Lam with an honorary doctorate as members and former members of his squad and from the Rugby Academy also graduate. Their performance over the past season made the University, the province - and indeed the nation - proud and has set hearts racing across Connacht. NUI Galway is fortunate to be associated with many outstanding honorary graduates throughout its history and we are very pleased to be in a position to recognise this major sporting achievement.”

Five players from Connacht Rugby to graduate along with their coach on Monday, include, Jack Dinneen (BComm), Conor Finn (BA), Eoghan Masterson (BA), Saba Meunargia (BA), and Danny Qualter (BA).

Degrees, Higher Diplomas and Masters will be awarded to students graduating over the five days from the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; College of Engineering and Informatics; College of Business, Public Policy and Law; College of Science; and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies.

The annual Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development ceremonies will take place on Saturday, 15 October, where awards will be conferred on over 800 students who completed their certificate, diploma and degree courses at many locations across the country.

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Onóracha do Chóitseálaí Rugbaí Chonnacht in OÉ Gaillimh 

Dochtúireacht Oinigh le bronnadh ar Pat Lam i rith bhronnadh na gcéimeanna

Tá céim oinigh le bronnadh ag OÉ Gaillimh ar Pat Lam, príomhchóitseálaí Rugbaí Chonnacht, agus iarimreoir rugbaí idirnáisiúnta as an méid atá déanta aige do rugbaí Chonnacht agus don phobal i gcoitinne. Beidh an searmanas ar siúl an 17 Deireadh Fómhair mar chuid de Shearmanais Bhronnadh Céimeanna an Fhómhair in OÉ Gaillimh áit a bhfaighidh os cionn 2,500 mac léinn a gcuid cáilíochtaí ón 13-19 Deireadh Fómhair.  Ní hé Pat Lam an chéad laoch spóirt a fuair céim oinigh ón Ollscoil mar gur bronnadh céimeanna oinigh roimhe seo ar Christy O’Connor Sinsear agus Sóisear, agus ar Mick Loftus. 

Rugadh Pat Lam sa Nua-Shéalainn agus is cóitseálaí rugbaí é a bhí i gceannas ar Rugbaí Chonnacht nuair a ghnóthaigh siad a gcéad chraobh i mí Bealtaine 2016 agus a gcéad chorn le 131 bliain nuair a ghnóthaigh siad an Guinness PRO12. Is de bhunadh Shamó é, agus bhí sé ina imreoir idirnáisiúnta don Nua-Shéalainn agus Samó agus d'imir sé i bPríomhroinn Shasana.

Ag labhairt dó roimh na searmanais bhronnta, dúirt an Dr Jim Browne, Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh:

“Thar ceann OÉ Gaillimh, déanaim comhghairdeas lenár gcéimithe ar fad agus tá fearadh na fáilte roimh a dtuismitheoirí, a dteaghlaigh agus a gcairde. Tá ríméad orainn aitheantas a thabhairt dá gcuid éachtaí agus guímid gach rath orthu san am atá le teacht.”

Dúirt an tUachtarán Browne chomh maith: “Níos túisce i mbliana, bhí OÉ Gaillimh ag tréaslú le Pat Lam, agus a chuid imreoirí iontacha agus an fhoireann sa chúlra as a mbua i gCraobh Rugbaí an PRO12. Is cúis áthais dúinn aitheantas foirmiúil a thabhairt d'éachtaí Pat Lam anois le céim oinigh, go mór mór agus imreoirí dá fhoireann ag fáil a gcuid céimeanna chomh maith.  De bharr a gcuid buanna an séasúr seo caite tá an Ollscoil, an cúige - agus fiú an tír ar fad - bródúil as Connacht agus tá ardú misnigh tugtha dúinn ar fad i gConnachta. Tá an t-ádh le OÉ Gaillimh céimithe oinigh den scoth a bheith aici in imeacht na mblianta agus is mór an onóir dúinn a bheith in ann aitheantas a thabhairt don éacht spóirt seo.”

Is iad an cúigear ó Rugbaí Chonnacht atá ag fáil a gcuid céimeanna in éineacht leis an gcóitseálaí Dé Luain, Jack Dinneen (BComm), Conor Finn (BA), Eoghan Masterson (BA), Saba Meunargia (BA), agus Danny Qualter (BA).

Bronnfar Céimeanna, Ard-Dioplómaí, Máistreachtaí agus PhDanna le linn na gcúig lá ar mhic léinn ó Choláiste an Leighis, an Altranais agus na nEolaíochtaí Sláinte; ó Choláiste na hInnealtóireachta agus na hIonformaitice; ó Choláiste an Ghnó, an Bheartais Phoiblí agus an Dlí; ó Choláiste na hEolaíochta; agus ó Choláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh.

Beidh searmanais bhliantúla an Ionaid Foghlama agus Forbartha Gairmiúla d'Aosaigh ar siúl Dé Sathairn, an 15 Deireadh Fómhair, áit a mbronnfar dámhachtainí ar níos mó ná 800 mac léinn a chríochnaigh a gcúrsaí teastais, dioplóma agus céime in ionaid éagsúla ar fud na tíre.

-Críoch-