The Open University honours Hillsborough justice campaigner, Sheila Coleman in Dublin

People from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds, from a spectrum of careers and industries gathered at Croke Park on Friday 13th May to celebrate achieving their degrees with The Open University.

Alongside these 151 graduates, Hillsborough justice campaigner Sheila Coleman was honoured by The Open University for her contribution to public service.

It is fitting that Sheila accepted her degree of Honorary Doctor of the University in Dublin. Although she grew up in Liverpool, Sheila Coleman’s maternal grandparents were born and lived in Dublin – indeed, they were married in St Andrew’s Church in Westland Row, near Trinity College. She comes from a Liverpool-Irish family, retaining a close affinity with the city and is a regular visitor. Sheila has been closely involved in the campaign to secure justice for the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster.  As a leading member of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Sheila was present throughout the original inquests when accidental deaths verdicts were recorded and more than half a century later, was present recently to hear the verdicts returned that the 96 fans had been killed unlawfully.

The 151 graduates had their degrees conferred on Friday were from across Ireland and beyond. Many have fitted their study around work or family commitments; some have a disability or live in a remote or rural community; while others lacked traditional entry qualifications. For all of them, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work and a commitment to learning.

Our students are a constant source of inspiration, working incredibly hard to fit learning into their lives, and proving that it makes a difference to individuals, families and communities.

John D’Arcy
Director of The Open University in Ireland

Honouring Sheila Coleman alongside our graduates made the ceremony an extra special occasion. The Open University makes honorary awards in line with its mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, and the promotion of social justice through the development of knowledge and skills. Sheila has displayed these qualities throughout her tireless campaigning on behalf of the Hillsborough families, and indeed her own commitment to learning, despite the odds. It is a pleasure to welcome her to The Open University family.”

Throughout my life and my career, I have learned that adversity takes many forms – but so does success, and the obstacles life throws at us shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving our goals. My own university career involved juggling my studies with being a single parent and overcoming a number of personal challenges and losses. It was a particular privilege to be awarded my degree alongside hundreds of students who have had to fit their studies around their lives.  It feels like an OU degree has an extra little stamp on it because of the extra effort required, and it was a pleasure to join the rest of the students in celebrating their successes.

Sheila Coleman
Doctor of the University

Tuesday, May 17, 2016 - 15:30