Media stars return to Ballyfermot roots

A mix of the glitterati and leaders in their fields were out in force as the inaugural BCFE Media Alumni evening took place last week. The event, held in the Anna Brett Hall in the college’s Media Building, was hosted by Ballyfermot graduates Mairead Farrell of Today FM and Conor Clear of TV3 (pictured above, by Terry Warren).

Festivities began outside with current TV students compiling vox pop session as guests arrived on the red carpet and continued inside where former staff and students were given the chance to mingle at a drinks reception.

Speeches on the night were made by the present principal, Maureen Conway, and one of Ballyfermot’s best-known graduates, Lorraine Keane.

Speaking of her time in the college she said: “I did the one year certificate. We had great fun and the teachers were fabulous as well, I’ll always remember that”

“They weren’t just lecturing you they were actually giving you their own experience as industry professionals.” 

Keane gave particular praise to the practical nature of the media courses offered by BCFE, “I had so much experience in the studio here that when I was going for AA Roadwatch I wasn’t afraid of the microphone”.

“It didn’t matter whether I had a degree or a diploma what really mattered was that I had the practice.”   
The first ever Alumni night was seven months in the making but, according to organisers Denise Guiney and Joan Condron, the enthusiastic reception they received more than compensated for their hard work. “Everyone was so responsive it was brilliant,” commented Condron.

Also in attendance were several noted former members of staff including ex-principal Jerome Morrissey and the first media coordinator Brenda Hartnett. Declan Power, the current coordinator of the print journalism, credited Hartnett with the “successful creation” of the MND course saying, “[Hartnett] set a standard that has been continued and built upon and continues to be built upon by this year’s coordinator Patricia Bourke.”

Over time, media studies in BCFE has evolved from its original incarnation as a one-year qualification in presentation and broadcasting skills, awarded by the City of Dublin VEC, to a City and Guilds accredited Media Certificate.

Industry recognition then followed a move to the BTEC National Diploma in Media which brought with it the college’s practical ethos.  And it was this practical element that remained to the fore as BCFE acquired the two-year Higher National Diploma.

In recent years a degree has been offered to students through Thames Valley University in England and DCU closer to home. But if the college has gone from strength to strength so too has its graduates, many of whom now occupy high-profile media jobs both in this country and elsewhere throughout the world.

During her address principal Maureen Conway claimed that the purpose of the night was primarily to thank all those that have helped BCFE to get to where it is today. She also asked former students to mention the college wherever they may be throughout the media
industry.

When asked if she hoped to make the night an annual event she commented: “The evening was really great.  We’re going to look at it and see what we’ll do in the future. I think if we have a party they’ll all want to come back.”

- Michelle Mac Mullan

MORE: What does it mean to have gone to BCFE?
MORE: Photograph gallery

www.flickr.com