Originally from Kilcornan in County Limerick and a graduate of the DCU School of Electronic Engineering, Gerard McDonnell became the first Irish person to scale K2, on the border between China and Pakistan, when he reached the summit on Friday Aug 1st 2008. Tragically Gerard was involved in a fatal accident while attempting to save the lives of fellow climbers on his descent. Remembered by all who knew him as warm, loving, brave and heroic, Gerard’s life will be celebrated through the creation of a permanently endowed Access scholarship fund at DCU. The scholarship fund will be created in Gerard’s memory, whose untimely death came so swiftly on foot of such joyous celebrations of his wonderful achievements.
The Access Programme – Of all of the work undertaken by the DCU Educational Trust, the Access Scholarship Programme is the most important. The DCU Access Scholarship Programme was introduced 18 years ago to provide talented students with the opportunity of a third level education, which their circumstances did not otherwise allow. Initially, the programme focussed on the North Dublin region, but today students participate in the programme from all over the country. The power of education to change lives has been well documented. This year, over 430 students are benefitting from a third level education at DCU thanks to the Access Scholarship Programme. This is a phenomenal number, especially when one considers that all access scholarships are privately funded by individuals and companies who appreciate the scale of the undertaking at DCU and the difference it is making to so many lives and communities around the country.
The DCU Access Programme is one of the largest and most successful of its kind. This year, it will reach over 6,500 schoolchildren and teachers, with over 30 schools programmes in over 100 primary & secondary schools in North Dublin, encouraging these young people to see progression to third level education as a realistic & attractive option for them. (The drop-out rate for students in the Access Programme is less than half that for the general student body).
Given the scale of the access programme, the DCU Educational Trust aims to raise over €1 million each year in private support. Access Scholarships cost €2,000 per student, per year, over four years. Last year, the Trust introduced an endowment campaign to raise over €15 million to permanently endow the Access scholarship Programme. Each endowment of €50,000 raised means that at least one Access Scholarship will be available every year at DCU in perpetuity for a deserving student.
The Ger McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship.
An endowed Access Scholarship in memory of Ger McDonnell is being established through the generosity of friends and colleagues and the School of Electronic Engineering at DCU. The scholarship in memory of Ger will be awarded each year to a student enrolled at DCU through the access programme, with preference given to students studying engineering. At least one Access Scholarship will be available every year at DCU in perpetuity for a deserving student by raising an endowment of €50,000.
The calibre of young people who participate in the access programme is remarkable. They work tremendously hard to succeed and make the most of the opportunity they have been given. The students also frequently act as ambassadors for the programme and DCU by participating in school programmes and acting as mentors for younger students. Programmes like Access are essential if we are to ensure that everyone who has the ability also has the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life and make their contribution to our economy and society.
The Ger McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship Fund would be a wonderful way to remember Ger’s passion and determination to succeed which saw him attain his ultimate goal just before his death – a passion and determination which will inspire many students for generations to come.
Those wishing to contribute to the Gerard McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship Fund are invited to contact the DCU Educational Trust on ph: +353 (1) 700-5467, or contact: Claire Whelehan, DCU Educational Trust. Ph: + 353 (1) 700-8639. Donations may also be made on-line by following the web link http://www.dcu.ie/trust/gift.shtml and requesting that your gift go towards the Ger McDonnell Memorial Access Scholarship Fund.
The DCU Educational Trust is a registered charity – CHY 8960. All gifts of €250 or greater to the Trust are tax efficient. (Please see attached information on Tax Relief for Donations).
