SETU recently celebrated its students at the annual President’s Volunteer Awards at the Universities campuses in Waterford, Carlow and Wexford.
The awards saw 56 volunteers being recognised for their invaluable contributions to the SETU community and their home communities. This year 34 volunteers received awards in Carlow, 20 in Waterford and 2 in Wexford.
Each awardee received either a bronze, silver, or gold award based on the hours of volunteering they had undertaken throughout the year.
The President’s Volunteer Awards were established in 2012 in Carlow and Wexford in conjunction with the Carlow Volunteer Centre.
Fr Martin Smith, Chaplain and coordinator of the awards in Carlow and Wexford, noted, “Over 13 years we have supported and celebrated the amazing voluntary work that over 400 students have undertaken in local, national and international organisations. It is inspirational.” Fr Martin praised the spirit of generosity among students who have selflessly and generously given up their precious time in the pursuit of helping others.
Mary Boylan, Student Peer Support Officer at SETU’s campuses in Carlow and Wexford, said, “I think volunteering is a small act that creates big change, strengthens communities and shapes a kinder world.”
The awards have been introduced to SETU’s campuses in Waterford and Wexford, in the last two years. Thomas Grinsell, Student Transition and Peer Engagement Coordinator at SETU’s campus in Waterford, said, “The SETU President’s Volunteering Award Ceremony celebrated 56 outstanding students from across our Carlow, Waterford and Wexford campuses for their exceptional contributions to SETU and the wider community. It was a privilege to recognise the dedication and remarkable commitment of these student volunteers, who give their time so generously to support a wide range of organisations and make a meaningful impact.”
Students volunteered on various committees across several clubs and societies at SETU, such as the Kayaking club, Law society and Physics society. Many other students acted as board members and ambassadors with EU Conexus and SETU Careers Development Centre.
Some of the volunteering organisations supported within the local communities included charities such as Down Syndrome Ireland, Enable Ireland, Foróige, Irish Girl Guides, Ireland's Specialist Search and Rescue Dogs, Oxfam, Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta, Samaritans, Waterford Marine Safety & Rescue.
Each ceremony celebrated the positive impact the students have in their local communities and within the wider SETU community.
For more information on the programme, contact contact Fr Martin Smith in Carlow and Wexford [email protected] or Thomas Grinsell from SETU in Waterford [email protected].