29th May 2000

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Vice Chancellor Professor Gerry McKenna has been given the Freedom of Coleraine. The award is the highest honour a Borough can bestow on one of its citizens.

Professor McKenna becomes the 13th recipient of this award in the Borough of Coleraine and he joins ranks with, amongst others, the NI Fire Brigade; Sir Richard Ring, a past Lord Mayor of London; the Royal British Legion and Alderman Daniel Christie, the first Mayor of the Borough in 1934. The most recent award given to an individual was almost twenty-five years ago.

Welcoming the award of the freedom of the Borough, Professor McKenna said: "I am greatly honoured to receive the freedom of the Borough of Coleraine. This reflects the crucial role of the University in promoting economic, social and cultural development in association with the local community and in Northern Ireland as a whole.

"By working together, in partnership, we can ensure economic prosperity through the knowledge-based economy which Northern Ireland and its people deserve."

Originally from County Tyrone, Professor McKenna has lived in the Borough with his family for over 20 years and has previously held positions of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Dean of Science and Head of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at the University.

During his distinguished career he has produced over 200 research papers, attracted over £6m in research income and led the University's successful proposals under the Northern Ireland Science Park initiative which will see the Coleraine Research Park open next year.

Since becoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor McKenna has continued to support the excellent relationship between the University and the Council bearing out his commitment to ensuring the University's role in the economic, social and cultural development of the Province.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk