Alumni E-zine February 2012
It’s all go this month and between the Career Network Event, our student grant competition; Small Changes, Big Difference; and a variety of news and events from across campus, we're sure there will be something of interest to you.
Stick on the kettle and take five to catch up with Trinity this month.
p.s. we'll be sending out our 2010/11 Donor Report next month let us know if you'd like a copy.
What's New?
Small Changes, Big Difference
Each year alumni give back to Trinity to support a range of College initiatives. This year we're allocating €20,000 of alumni monies to deserving student projects that are making a difference to Trinity, Ireland and the World. You can vote for your favourite project at the end of this month by becoming a fan on Facebook. We’ll let you know as soon as the voting opens. Find out more about Small Changes, Big Difference...
Career Network Event - Last Chance to Register
The Trinity Alumni Career Network Event is filling up fast. Book your place for the one day event, featuring a series of expert speakers on managing, changing or finding your career of choice. The event takes place on Saturday, 11 February and whether you are looking for a job, thinking of making a change or just want to brush up on your job-seeking skills, the Career Network Event is for you. Find out more...
Edible @ Science Gallery
Edible, the latest exhibition @ Science Gallery, takes on food with the imagination of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the bite of Jamie's Dinners. Featuring work and recipes by a diverse group of artists, scientists, restaurateurs and foodies, the show is set to challenge your perception of what 'edible' really means. Edible opens on Friday, 10 February.
Events
Public lecture with Prof Richard Evans
‘How unique was the final solution?’ a public lecture by Professor Richard J Evans, University of Cambridge, will take place on Thursday, 2 February at 7:30pm in the Edmund Burke Theatre, TCD. Professor Evans is a distinguished historian and Regius Professor of History in the University of Cambridge and President of Wolfson College.
Unseen University Challenge with Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett will host a quiz of other worldly proportions at 6pm on Monday, 6 February. Find out more...
Career Network Event – Get Ahead in 2012
The Trinity Alumni Career Network is pleased to announce details of a one day event, featuring a series of expert speakers on managing, changing or finding your career of choice. The event will take place on Saturday, 11 February. Whether you are looking for a job, thinking of making a change or just want to brush up on your job-seeking skills, the Career Network Event is for you. Find out more...
DU Rifle Jubilee dinner
2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Dublin University Rifle Club's reconstitution in 1962. On Saturday, 11 February the club will host a Jubilee weekend and Gala Dinner at 7:30pm open to all club members, alumni and friends to help celebrate this momentous occasion. Find out more or book your place online.
Trinity Business Alumni London Event
The Trinity Business Alumni (TBA) is delighted to announce that Shane Ross, Independent TD to Dublin South will address a special Dinner In Camera on Monday, 13 February at the exclusive Caledonian Club situated in Belgravia, London. Tickets cost €45, including drinks reception and networking at 6:30pm, followed by 3-course dinner at 7:15pm. Book your ticket online or find out more today.
Gothic Architecture and Sculpture Launch
Gothic Past a visual archive of Gothic architecture and sculpture in Ireland will be launched on Wednesday, 15 February by the Provost in the Trinity Long Room Hub at 5:30pm. This open-access resource has been developed by the Department of the History of Art in collaboration with the Library. It forms part of a major research project, ‘Reconstructions of the Gothic Past’. The site showcases examples from three significant archives housed in the Irish Art Research Centre (TRIARC).
Trinity Business Alumni Breakfast
The Trinity Business Alumni will host a business breakfast on the theme of “Business Transformation – The Changing Consumer” with guest speaker Colin Ryan of Accenture on Thursday, 23 February at 7:45am. Find out more...
Law Review Annual Launch & 15th Anniversary
On Tuesday, 6 March the Editorial Board of the Trinity College Law Review will host its annual launch night at 6pm in the Long Room of the Old Library. This year the TCLR will also commemorate its 15th anniversary and to mark this achievement the editorial board cordially invites all previous editorial board members to the launch and a reception afterwards in the Graduates Memorial Building at 8pm. For more information please contact Michael Judge.
Foresight Business Breakfast
Sharon McCooey, International Finance Director for LinkedIn, will be the key note speaker at the Foresight Business Breakfast on Wednesday, 7 March. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come served basis. Find out more...
A Charter for the 21st Century Workplace
The Centre for Women in Science and Engineering Research (WiSER), will hold a special event for International Women’s Day on Thursday, 8 March entitled ‘A Charter for the 21st Century Workplace’ bringing together women with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths backgrounds to create a blue-print for the 21st Century workplace that is diverse, accessible, worthwhile and sustainable for women. Contact wiser@tcd.ie to book your place.
Trinity Second Hand Booksale
The next annual booksale will take place from Thursday, 8 March to Saturday, 10 March in the Exam Hall, TCD. Find out more...
For a full schedule of events in TCD, please see www.tcd.ie/alumni/events
News
Campus News
Trinity Researchers Develop Innovative Water Disinfection System
Former German Vice-Chancellor Joschka Fischer Speaks at Henry Grattan Lecture Series
Trinity Researchers Launch New Smartphone Application for Viewing Images of the Sun
Animated Short Movie, 'The Last Train', Nominated for IFTA Award
Sports News
Branch Updates
Mid Atlantic - Wine and Cheese Reception
The Mid Atlantic Alumni Network will host a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, 11 February from 6-8pm in CountDown Temporary Artspace, 4526 Cheltenham Drive, Bethseda, MD 20814. Spouses/partners and children are welcome. RSVP to TCD Mid Atlantic Alumni by 9 February.
Parking is restricted at the property, ample parking is available within 1 or 2 blocks of the property:(a) Cheltenham Garage (metered) on Cheltenham Ave, directly off Wisconsin Ave or (b) Bethesda Chevy Chase high school satellite parking on Pearl street (free) The property is 8 mins walk from Bethesda metro station, go north on Wisconsin, turn right onto Cheltenham.
TCD London Dining Club - Hilary Term Dinner
The London TCD Dining Club is hosting a dinner in The Saville Club at 7pm on Thursday, 23 February with guest speaker the Hon Mr Justice Deeny B.A., M.A. (1973), High Court judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Northern Ireland. Find out more or book the event online.
For a full schedule of TCD events visit www.tcd.ie/alumni/events
Alumni Interview
Ronan O’Laoire - Associate Drugs Control Officer, United Nations
Name: Ronan O’Laoire
Degree: M.A. (2003)
What are you doing with yourself these days?
I recently started working as an Associate Drugs Control Officer in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which is based in Vienna. I am part of a team that monitors legitimate international trade for suspicious movements of chemicals that can be used to produce illicit drugs (such as amphetamine-type stimulants, heroin and cocaine) in order to try and prevent their diversion. We also assist Governments in their investigations and provide analysis on major trends in the diversion and trafficking of these chemicals.
Why did you choose your current career?
After graduating from Trinity, I went on to complete a masters degree in Conflict and Security Studies in Sciences-Po Paris and wanted to continue working on security related issues in an international context, and ideally for the UN.
Finding work in this area can be a long process, but I was fortunate to be employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland after finishing my studies in Paris, and subsequently moved to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO), both of which gave me valuable and positive insights into the realities of working for organizations with an international orientation. It was during my time in the CTBTO that I successfully passed the UN entrance exam and the decision to accept the offer to work in drug control was very straightforward as it allowed me to fulfil my ambition of working for the UN while also giving me the opportunity to re-orient my career towards a new and interesting field of work.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Along with my fiancée, I am spending a lot of time preparing for, and looking forward to the arrival of our first child in few months time. The rest of my free time is spent struggling to improve my limited Croatian and German language skills and playing soccer for my local team in Vienna.
What are your strongest memories of Trinity?
I can think of three: having a fry up in the Buttery after early morning rowing training in Islandbridge; trying to find a secluded studying spot in the Berkeley in the run up to exams and; using cricket as an excuse to lie on the grass in front of the Pav to have a couple of drinks with friends.
Are you still in touch with other alumni?
Yes, but mainly in a social context. Many of my closest friends were made during my time in Trinity and I do my best to keep in touch with them, although keeping up to date can be challenging as many live in different countries. In job terms, so far I have not met too many Trinity alumni either in Vienna or the UN, although I hope to meet more alumni in the near future.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Enjoying life with my family, travelling and hopefully still working for the UN on issues related to organized crime, drug control or political affairs, either in Vienna, New York or a UN field mission. By that stage, and with a bit of luck, I will also be able to make myself partially understood by my family and friends whenever I speak Croatian or German, my soccer team will have been promoted and I won’t be having too much déjà vu when drawing up my New Year’s resolutions for 2017…
Notices & Class Notes
Douglas Hyde Gallery Exhibitions
From Friday, 3 February visit The Douglas Hyde Gallery to see two new exciting exhibitions. In the Gallery by Merlin James and The Paradise by Reverend Howard Finster will be on show until 28 March. Find out more...
Members of the Oireachtas Visit Trinity
Trinity graduates who are also members of the Oireachtas visited the College last week to meet with the Provost.
Back Row (L-R): Mary McCarron, Dean of Health Sciences; Anne FitzGerald, Secretary to the College; Veronica Campbell, Dean of Graduate Studies; Michael Marsh, Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Olivia Mitchell TD; Vinny Cahill, Dean of Research; Senator Averil Power; Senator Sean Barrett; Jane Ohlmeyer, Vice-Provost for Global Relations; Alex White TD; Joanna Tuffy TD; Liam Twomey TD; Paschal Donohoe TD; Senator Thomas Byrne; Amanda Piesse, Dean of Students; Tony McMahon, Director, Human Resources; David Lloyd, Bursar & Director of Strategic Initiatives; Patrick Geoghegan, Senior Lecturer; Darina Kneafsey, Chief Operating Officer; Dara Calleary TD. Front Row (L-R): Jan O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government with special responsibility for Housing & Planning; Robert Dowds TD; Senator David Norris; Patrick Prendergast, Provost; Senator Ivana Bacik; Linda Hogan, Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer; Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport
Class Notes
Colin Gibson B.SC., M.A. (1951)
Colin recently sent in his recollection of Trinity Ball having read an article in Trinity Today.
“Prior to 1951 the Trinity Week Ball was held in either the Metropole or the Gresham Hotel, as were all the College Balls e.g. The Colours Ball, The Boat Club Ball, the Hist Ball etc. In 1951 the joint undergraduate Hon. Secretaries of the Trinity Week Ball, Messrs Gibson and Egerton, made the decision to have two venues for the Ball namely the Metropole and the Gresham. Their thinking was that the demand for tickets was such the both venues would be filled and only a few people would be unable to obtain tickets. The Hon. Secs made their decision without reference to anyone, not the Junior Dean, not the Provost, nobody…it was their decision alone.
The dual location was a success with much to-ing and frow-ing across O’Connell Street in the “early” hours. The format continued for the next 6 or 7 years up to the decision to bring the Ball into College. I often wonder who made the suggestion to the Board... it must have been a Board decision... maybe the current secretary to the Board could be persuaded to look up the old Minutes and enlighten us who had that brilliant idea”.
Simon Oliver LL.B. (1971)
Exiled in France since 1980, Simon has graduated from running Irish pubs and restaurants to opening a specialist Estate Agency devoted to the sale of holiday homes and B&Bs. In a country renowned for its early retirement age and dogged ageism Simon is determined to continue working and prove them wrong (and pay off his mortgage). After all, he took retirement early - at 22 years old - and only started serious work at age 40. Based in Toulouse in the sunny south Simon lives quietly with his two children and wife, a philosophy professor. His agency opens its arms to the Irish and all TCD alumni.
John McKeon M.B. (1996)
John is a medical graduate who founded the company Airmid Healthgroup. Airmid Healthgroup recently became the first ISO accredited laboratory in a biomedical field of indoor air pollution and health. Find out more...
Leeanne Quinn Ph.D. (2010)
Leeannes debut collection of poetry, Before You was launched on 1 February at the Irish Writers' Centre. Find out more...
Website Watch
The Fermanagh Alumni Association has set up a Facebook page for all alumni in the region to keep up to date with news and events. Find out more...
The Department of Film studies has just launched a website on Rex Ingram if you have any resources that could be used on the site please get in contact.
For previous issues of this newsletter please see: www.tcd.ie/alumni/news/archive/ezine/