From January 20th to 22nd, the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Linda Doyle, awarded 602 students an exhibition award. This certificate of academic merit, which has a long history, dating back to 1867, is now extended to all Junior Freshman students admitted to Trinity for an undergraduate degree, in all disciplines, who achieved the highest Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) points among Trinity entrants from their respective secondary schools.
This year, 602 students received this award from all 32 counties in Ireland with 393 students from Leinster, 67 from Munster, 42 from Connacht, and 41 from Ulster. Along with that, 59 international students from abroad were also awarded this honor.
The ceremonies took place in the Atrium this year, located on Front Square on campus, where they received their certificates and €150 book vouchers. This book voucher, which is the same price every year, can be spent at Hodges Figgis, a bookstore located on Dawson Street near the College, highlighting the College’s desire to promote education and culture among its students. After the ceremony, students made their way to the Dining Hall, where refreshments were had. The principals of the students’ previous schools also attended the ceremony to celebrate their former students’ achievements .
Provost Linda Doyle shared a few words in her conversation with Dean of Undergraduate Studies Professor Vincent Wade, congratulating the students on their success: “It is our great privilege to welcome these wonderful students to Trinity College Dublin. They deserve enormous credit for the hard work and commitment that have brought them to this point. I have every confidence that they will thrive in Trinity’s incredible academic environment and enjoy the creativity and fun of our 150 sports clubs and societies.
“I also want to congratulate all those who have supported these students on their journeys. In addition to their parents and guardians, I want to acknowledge the dedication of school principals, teachers and wider school staff – both primary and secondary – who play such a vital role in bringing out the best in students during their formative years.”
The names of the students were then called individually, followed by rounds of applause.
First-year students who received the award spoke to the University Times about their experiences and feelings upon receiving this award: “It felt nice getting some recognition by receiving the award for all the hard work I put into my Leaving Cert. It is a lovely way to appreciate the hard work that students undertake to get to Trinity, and to encourage us to view our study as not simply a step-by-step process to get in, but rather an achievement to be proud of”, said Brianna Bergin, from County Laois, currently a Junior Freshman student studying Single Honours English.
Emily Keane, a student from Galway studying Film and English, commented on the award, saying “I felt quite proud of myself receiving the award. To be honest, it felt fair to be getting some recognition for all the work that I put into the Leaving Cert! It’s a reflection of our hard work and it’s a good way to celebrate it.”
