ÎÞÂ붯»­

Transformational impact of Harper Ireland student society celebrated at annual dinner

Posted 17 March

The transformational impact of ÎÞÂ붯»­’s Harper Ireland student society over three decades has been underlined at the organisation’s annual dinner.

Current students, alumni and guests at the dinner were addressed by Brendan Rice, former student and now CEO & co-founder of Senoptica Technologies, whose innovative sensor technology is helping to reduce global food waste.

Mr Rice was one of the founding members of the Harper Ireland society in 1995 – and Chair when it held its first dinner a year later.

Having begun his studies at Harper Adams in the early 1990s, Mr Rice recalled: “During that time the number of students from the Island of Ireland swelled to nearly 10 per cent of the student body, and at the time Harper was small enough that you didn’t feel like just a number but big enough to matter.

“With more students from the island, we were always going to make our presence felt!”

For instance, he recalled, the Gaelic Football Team saw students from across Northern Ireland playing side by side, half a decade before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

He added: “In the four years of my time at Harper, we were the only team to bring back silverware - despite the prominence of rugby, football, hockey and netball at the time.”

As the numbers of Irish students continued to grow , a plan was hatched to develop a student society – Harper Ireland – to harness their growing energy.

Mr Rice added: “The original mission for the organisation was twofold: firstly, to organise social events for students from Ireland and their friends – namely, everyone else at Harper!

“Secondly, we wanted to raise the profile of Harper Adams on the Island of Ireland so that when we got back to Ireland it would help us to secure employment.

“And so, in 1995, Harper Ireland was born - 30 years ago this year.”

Mr Rice paid tribute to Basil Bayne of the Harper Adams in Ireland Alumni Association, for his close involvement with the Harper Ireland society, its work and its annual dinners.

He added: “There is only one person in the room who has been to every one of these events and that is Basil.

“It is an incredible testimony to his energy and enthusiasm.”

Turning to the future, Mr Rice told students: “Each of us took the decision to leave home and come here to study.

“That marks you out as different, as someone who is brave, has an energy to go out in the world to further yourself and see what is possible.

“I would like to propose that in this 30th anniversary year, that you, all as members of Harper Ireland - and the leadership here at Harper Adams - take time to reflect on what has been - and that the vision for the organisation is reimagined and reenergised for the next leg of the journey.”

In the awards ceremony following the dinner, BSc (Hons) Agri-Food Marketing with Business student Emma Brown was presented with the President’s Prize by Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan.

The award was made in Professor Sloan’s capacity as President of the Harper Ireland student society.

The President’s Prize recognises the contribution of students that have given their all to Harper Adams, Harper Ireland and the student community.

Emma, from Co. Down, said: “It felt incredible to win the President's Prize. It felt that it was a massive resemblance of how far I have grown both personally over the last four years but also as a resemblance that I have so nearly finished my degree, and it felt like a massive achievement of being recognised for this. 

“I was proud of achieving the award and my family were also immensely proud of me. The last four years have been a true testament of how strong I am as a person able to live in England away from my family and boyfriend and this award was able to represent that.”

The Vice President's Award was presented to Veterinary Medicine student John-Mark McCrea, who will serve as 2025 Chairman.

Outgoing Chairman, second year BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Allister Crawford, from Augher, Co. Tyrone, said: “I have enjoyed being Harper Ireland chair over the past year. We have organised barbecues, trips and nights out which have often involved 50-plus students. The committee has four other students in second year, and we have worked well together.”

John-Mark, from Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone, added: “Harper Ireland was key to making Harper a home away from home and I have made many a new friend out of it. 

“As Chairman, I plan to continue to build upon the legacy of this society to make it even better craic, offer more activities, and create more memories for us all.”

BSc (Hons) Agri-Business student Jo-Anne McCay was presented with the John Thompson & Sons Victor Truesdale Prize by Harper Alumnus and John Thompson & Sons Ltd Ruminant Technical Manager, Richard Moore.

Each year, the prize is awarded in memory of Victor Truesdale, former sales director of John Thompson & Sons Ltd, who passed away in 2001. Mr Truesdale’s widow, Mrs Anne Davey, was a guest of honour at this year’s dinner.

The prize includes a specially-commissioned crystal punch bowl and a cheque, awarded to the student from Ireland deemed to have made the greatest contribution to life at Harper Adams.

Speaking after receiving her prize, Jo-Anne, from Castlederg, said: “It was a huge honour to receive the Victor Truesdale Scholarship.

“As a proud Northern Irish student passionate about the agricultural industry, this award means a great deal to me. It recognises the hard work and dedication of students committed to the future of agriculture, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities it will provide as I continue my studies and research.”