Today, DCU Educational Trust launched a Spring Appeal calling on alumni to support the university’s Excellence and Opportunity fund. President Dáire Keogh was joined by graduates including pilot Lisa Cusack, Dublin GAA star Paddy Andrews, Thomas O’Dowd, President of DCU Students Union, and student Queen Lawal, who came together to show their support for the new fundraising campaign.
This March, the appeal will ask DCU graduates around the world to donate to the university’s Excellence and Opportunity fund. It also marks the start of a new campaign to develop an alumni giving fund to advance DCU’s mission to transform lives and societies. It builds on strong alumni engagement with the DCU community through volunteering, mentoring students, donating and attending reunions.
Donations to the Excellence and Opportunity fund will enable bright minds to excel at DCU through doctoral research opportunities and life-changing scholarships that broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in higher education.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Dáire Keogh, President of DCU said:
“I am always impressed by the generous support our alumni give us in terms of mentoring students, offering Intra work placements, returning as guest lecturers, and fostering research collaborations. With the launch of our Spring Appeal, we hope our alumni will continue to help us to achieve even more, from research that tackles the challenge of climate change, to widening participation in higher education through Access, to delivering world-class student experiences.”
Speaking at the launch, Joe Quinsey, CEO of DCU Educational Trust stated:
“In a recent survey, over 70 percent of DCU alumni said they would like to hear more about opportunities to give back through philanthropy. This appeal now offers them an opportunity to work together with DCU, and the many alumni who already donate, to support the students of today to fulfil their potential and shape the world of tomorrow.”
Speaking about the launch, Eleanor Hayes Merritt, DCU Computer Applications graduate and Senior Vice President at Oracle, described why she decided to support the fund:
“I think it’s important to give back when you can, and I feel a bond with the university. DCU is growing and has all this potential, so I’m happy to give back. Whatever contribution I can make to help students who may not be in the same position as me, or to fund projects that make a difference, I want to do that.”
