Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union has announced the recipient of its inaugural Student Bursary programme, a unique initiative aiming to support the educational aspirations of students from Castlerea Community School pursuing higher education at the Technological University of the Shannon’s (TUS ) Athlone campus.
Leah Fitzgerald, a BA (Hons ) Social Care Practice student at TUS is the deserving beneficiary of this year’s inaugural award and received a bursary totalling €1500, to be dispersed over three years, €500 being granted annually.
Launched in May of this year, the inaugural Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union student bursary seeks to empower the youth of the local community by providing financial assistance to a student from Castlerea Community School who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to their education.
The selection process for the bursary was highly competitive, with Castlerea Community School students vying for the honour of being the recipient which ultimately is awarded to the student who has achieved the highest points in their Leaving Cert and is attending TUS, emphasising the importance of academic excellence.
This initiative underscores Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union’s commitment to supporting the dreams and aspirations of young individuals within the community.
The credit union said it recognises the critical role education plays in shaping the future of our youth and our society as a whole; by investing in education, it aims to create a brighter and more promising future for the next generation.
Deputy CEO of Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union, Marise O’Toole, emphasised this commitment to education within the community.
“At Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union, we believe in fostering educational opportunities and nurturing the potential within our community’s youth. We are delighted to offer this Student Bursary, which not only eases the financial burden of higher education but also encourages and rewards academic excellence. It’s our way of giving back and supporting young people in our community,” Ms O’Toole stated.
“This generous €1,500 bursary from Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union not only recognizes Leah’s outstanding academic achievement but also reinforces our commitment to fostering educational excellence here at TUS. We look forward to supporting this talented student on her journey as a first-year student and witnessing her continued academic success,” Claire Connor, student recruitment officer at TUS, congratulating Leah on her achievement, said.
To commemorate the selection of Leah as the inaugural bursary recipient, Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union representatives attended TUS for a presentation of the first year’s instalment of the Student Bursary.
The presentation was attended by TUS representatives Orla Thornton, Karen Guest, and Alison Sheridan, and the principal of Castlerea Community School Eileen Ryan, highlighting the collaborative efforts of these institutions in empowering local students.
