Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) this evening conferred honorary membership on Declan Treanor and Ralph Astley for their “outstanding contributions” to student life and the union.
Declan Treanor is the Director of the College Disability Service, while Astley is the co-ordinator of the Student2Student peer mentoring programme.
The possibility of honorary membership was introduced to the union’s constitution in 2014. Tonight’s honours were awarded unanimously by Student Council. Last year, Academic Secretary Patricia Callaghan was honoured.
Speaking at TCDSU Council this evening, Disabilities Officer Laura Beston described Treanor as a constant supportive presence for students with disabilities. She said that he was “the first person you meet when you walk through front gate as a student with a disability and he’s there for everything else that happens between”. Treanor has been with the disability service since its inception in 2000, and was a lead on phases of the Disability Service Strategic Plan 2011-2014.
Ralph Astley began working with the Student2Student service in 2011. Addressing TCDSU Council this evening, outgoing Welfare Officer Damien McLean described the support she and the service provide students, and in particular the sabbats: “when the SU sabbats near their help we go up to their office and cry.” He also attested to the work that Astley and her department do for students.
Other honorary members of TCDSU Council include former Senior Lecturer Patrick Geoghegan, former Dean of Students Amanda Piesse and former Senior Tutor Claire Laudet.
