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Ulster University’s Alumni Team travelled to Boston earlier this month for an annual visit to build and deepen relationships with our graduates, supporters and other key stakeholders in the Greater Boston area.
American Friends of Ulster University
Kicking off the visit, it was our great pleasure to meet with the Board of our American Friends of Ulster University (AFUU), to hold our annual AGM. Established in 1999 by supporters of Ulster University, AFUU’s mission is to support higher education in Northern Ireland and the USA, with a particular interest in supporting the work of Ulster University.
Find out more about AFUU and Ulster University's advancement activities in USA.
Golden Bridges Conference & Awards Honouring UU Alumni
Each year, Ulster University attends the Golden Bridges Conference which aims to strategically align business relationships between the North West of Ireland and Boston/Massachusetts to enhance opportunities for trade and investment in the North West. This year was particularly special as three Ulster University alumni were selected to receive Golden Bridges Awards for their work and voluntary efforts to build and sustain transatlantic relationships that deliver real impact.
Congratulations to alumni:
- Liz Breadon, Physiotherapy and Health and Social Services graduate. Liz currently serves as a Councillor on Boston City Council.
- Oran McGonagle, Business Studies graduate. Oran is a entrepreneur and is owner of several acclaimed venues, including McGonagle’s Pub and The Dubliner.
- Shaun Morgan, American Studies graduate. Shaun is a global education advocate and is currently Senior International Officer at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Ulster University staff were honoured to attend an awards presentation alongside Liz, Oran and Shaun at the Consulate General of Ireland Residence in Boston on Thursday, 13 November. We are so incredibly proud of our alumni and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.
Discover more about the Golden Bridges Awards and our wonderful alumni.
Alumni Reception at The Dubliner
Following the Golden Bridges Awards, Oran kindly hosted a UU Connects Alumni Reception at his pub, The Dubliner, in downtown Boston. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many of our alumni who are now living and working in Boston; there was fantastic energy and enthusiasm to learn more about exciting developments at Ulster University. The reception was a wonderful reminder of just how strong and far-reaching the Ulster network truly is, and all the exciting potential that is to come as we continue to strength and deepen our bonds with our alumni network in Boston and across North America in the future.
Addressing graduates at the event, Kathy Morrow, Alumni Engagement Manager, said:
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"Tonight isn’t just about reconnecting—it’s about looking forward. We hope to see lots more Ulster University activity here in Boston in the months and years ahead, and to strengthen the bonds between our graduates right across North America. Whether it’s through professional connections, mentoring, or simply social occasions like this one, we want to help you stay connected to each other and to Ulster University."
