Ronan returned to SETU as a mature student, having previously graduated in Professional Cookery which led to a globe-trotting professional catering career
The Society of Irish Foresters Augustine Henry Memorial Medal Award for Excellence in Forestry has been awarded to Waterford native Ronan O’Keeffe.
The Society of Irish Foresters is the professional body for foresters in Ireland. They award the Augustine Henry Memorial medal each year to the student that has produced outstanding work in the final year of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry.
International study tour
Augustine Henry is known as the father of Irish Forestry due to his involvement in setting up the state Forest Service and his position as Professor of Forestry in UCD.
In addition to the memorial medal, the Society sponsor the winning student to participate on their annual international study tour.
The award was presented by Dr. Ken Bucke, President of the Society of Irish Foresters, to Ronan O’Keeffe who will join the Society tour to Bosnia Herzegovina this September.
Ronan has returned to SETU to study forestry, having previously graduated in Professional Cookery after which he had a globe-trotting career in professional catering. The mature student is a past pupil of De La Salle, Waterford.
Level 8 decisions
He has approached his forestry studies with energy and determination, and has consistently maintained the highest grades throughout the programme. He was selected by Coillte for their new log optimisation project on his placement module.
He is currently back working with Coillte on this project and will shortly have to make the difficult decision to continue working or return to SETU for his Level 8 Honours degree in Land Management in Forestry.
Industry Sponsored Awards Ceremony 2019
The award was made during the the Department of Science at South East Technological University (WIT) Industry Sponsored Awards Ceremony 2019 which was sponsored by Eurofins Scientific, Source Bioscience, Environmental Science Association of Ireland, Sanofi, Bausch & Lomb, Sanofi, Dawn Meats, Comeragh Veterinary practice, Dairymaster, AIB and the Society of Irish Foresters.
Students from courses across the department were presented for their outstanding projects and performances throughout the year.