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Minister announces appointments to the governing body of St Mary’s University College

24 May 2010

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced the appointment of a new Member to St Mary’s University College’s Governing Body.

The Minister also announced the re-appointment of three existing members to the Governing Body of the College.

St Mary’s University College is a co-educational autonomous institution of higher education in the Catholic tradition situated in Belfast, which offers programmes of initial teacher education for both the primary and post-primary school sectors, part-time professional development programmes for teachers at Masters level as well as a BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts.

The Governing Body is responsible for overseeing the College’s activities, achievement of its mission, and compliance with its framework of governance and the Financial Memorandum under which funding is received from the Department for Employment and Learning.

The following appointments take effect from 18 May 2010 for a period of five years:

Mr Bernard McGahan

A former Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Mr McGahan is currently a Deputy Secretary in the Department for Social Development.  A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Mr McGahan has previously served, both as a member and chair, on the Governing Body of Armagh College of Further and Higher Education.  He does not currently hold any other public appointments and is not engaged in any political activity.

Dr Celestine Devlin

Dr Celestine Devlin is a tutor for the Open University and former Principal of St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel.  He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast in 1968, from where he also obtained his MEd in Management.  DrDevlin has served one term of office on St Mary’s Governing Body, does not hold any other public appointments, and is not engaged in any political activity.

Dr Philip Johnston

Dr Philip Johnston is the Head of the Department of Spanish at University College Dublin and was previously a teacher in The Royal Belfast Academical Institution.  He has lectured in Queen’s University Belfast, from where he obtained his PhD.  DrJohnston has served one term of office on St Mary’s Governing Body, does not hold any other public appointments, and is not engaged in any political activity.

Mr Patrick McAllister

Mr Patrick McAllister is the Principal of St Joseph’s & St James’ Primary School in Poyntzpass and former teacher in St Mary’s Primary School, Banbridge.  He obtained his BEd (Hons) from St Mary’s in 1992 and obtained an MA in Primary Education in 1998.  Mr McAllister has served one term of office on St Mary’s Governing Body, does not hold any other public appointments, and is not engaged in any political activity.

Notes to editors:

1.    The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI Code of Practice.

2.    All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees to be published.  None of the appointees are engaged in political activity.

3.    Appointments to the Governing Body are made on a part-time basis.  The posts attract no remuneration but members can receive reasonable travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings.  

4.    Members of the Governing Body are:

Ex-Officio Governors (4): The Bishop of Down and Connor - The Most Rev Dr Noel Treanor DD (Chairman); One of his Vicars General - The Most Rev Donal McKeown DD; Irish Regional Vicar, Cabra Dominicans - Sr Lucina Montague OP; The Principal of the College - Professor Peter Finn.

Governors nominated by Trustees in consultation with the Roman Catholic Bishops (6): Archdiocese of Armagh - Rt Rev Mgr Liam McEntegart PP; Dioceses of Clogher / Kilmore - Mrs Joan Hart; Diocese of Derry - Very Rev Robert Devine PP; Diocese of Dromore - Mrs Ann Doran; Diocese of Down and Connor - Mr Charles MacCreanor; Diocese of Down and Connor - Vacant Position.

Academic Staff Member appointed by the Academic Board (1): Mrs Deirdre Loughran.

Student Representative elected by the Student’s Union (1): Ms Una Kelly

Appointments by the Senate of QUB (2): Professor Jeanette Elwood; Vacant Position

Appointments by the Department for Employment and Learning (4): Dr Celestine Devlin; Dr Philip Johnston; Mr Patrick McAllister; Mr Bernard McGahan.  

5.    All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch, on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.