The Faculty of Business at South East Technological University (SETU) recently recognised Ann and Liam Cusack of the Granville Hotel for their outstanding contribution to marketing education.
This contribution began 30 years ago with the establishment of the Granville Hotel Marketing Student of the Year Awards, and the celebration at the four star Waterford city hotel.
The Cusack family wanted to recognise and encourage marketing students to strive for excellence in their programmes and careers. To support this aim, the Cusack’s sponsored an award to mark the best students graduating in the final year of SETU’s two marketing programmes – Bachelor of Arts (honours) in marketing and digital media and the Bachelor of Business (honours).
Over three decades of the sponsorship, 60 students have been badged as Granville Hotel Marketing Student of the Year and have gone on to dynamic careers in marketing.
The success of the awards has led to one of the longest local sponsorships in Ireland. The University recognises the association and its benefits to students.
Dr Thomas O’Toole, Head (Waterford) Faculty of Business, said at the event: “The Granville Hotel has always stood for marketing excellence and we are delighted to be able to recognise this with an Outstanding Award for contribution to Marketing Education to Ann and Liam Cusack. Their contribution to marketing education and our Faculty has been deep and enduring. Its longevity an example of the long-term commitment the Cusack family has given to so many causes across the city and region. On behalf of the Faculty and our students, we are extremely grateful.”
Proud
Ann Cusack commented, “We were never expecting to be recognised in this way by the University. We are so proud of the students that we supported over the years and are delighted with the ongoing success of the Student of the Year Awards.”
In addition, to sponsorship of the awards, the Cusack family have supported education in many other ways in the Faculty including hosting guest speakers at the hotel, and providing feedback on best practice for the University’s programmes.
Ann and Liam have also served on local boards promoting the city including the Waterford Chamber of Commerce and the Marketing Institute of Ireland.
They have been actively involved in the Thomas Francis Meagher Tricolour celebrations festival which has become an annual event based on the unfurling of Irish flag in Waterford in 1848.
Banner image shows: Fiona Cusack, Granville Hotel, Ann Cusack accepted the award for outstanding contribution to marketing education at SETU, and Thomas O’Toole, Head of the Faculty of Business Waterford Campus presenting the award. Photo by George Goulding.
