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A plaque has been unveiled at ��ɫ��Ƶ to celebrate a ‘pioneering class’ who graduated 50 years ago. 

The first class of the then National College of Physical Education (NCPE), which later became Thomond College of Education and was subsequently amalgamated into ��ɫ��Ƶ, graduated on 4 November 1975. 

Their legacy has helped to shape the future of physical education in Ireland and laid the foundations for what is now UL’s Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS). 

Attending the unveiling this Tuesday were former Minister Jimmy Deenihan, who graduated in 1975 and Acting UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins, as well as many of the original class. The group was welcomed by Professor Elaine Murtagh, Course Director of the BSc Physical Education programme, on behalf of Dr John Perry, Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. The event was organised and supported by the UL Alumni Office. 

Among those to graduate in that first NCPE class were those who went on to have sporting careers at national and international level, lecturers, school principals, activists, community workers and more. 

Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins paid tribute to the legacy of that first pioneering class: “You were not just students; you were co-creators of a new educational model. You helped shape the culture, the standards, and the aspirations of what would become Thomond College of Education in 1976, and later, ��ɫ��Ƶ. 

“Your legacy is not only etched in stone today, but it also lives on in every student who walks through the doors of the PESS Building, in every graduate who teaches, coaches, researches, and leads in the field of sport and physical education,” added Professor Kilcommins.  

NCPE was founded in 1971 to train physical education students to teach in schools at post primary level. It was located at Plassey, where the emerging National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was established in 1972. 

The Government transformed the NCPE into Thomond College of Education in 1976 and with the founding of the ��ɫ��Ƶ in 1989, Thomond College was integrated into the new University structures in 1991 and through this merger the PESS Department was established under the leadership of Liam Dugdale. 

The first class had their graduation in the PESS building – fitting then that this is the location of the new plaque which was unveiled 50 years since that day.