It was a night of glitz and glamour at the Annual Letterkenny Institute of Technology Student Achievement Awards, which took place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny on Thursday 21 March, 2013. 
Two hundred students and staff members at LYIT, attended this event, an event that recognises the contribution of clubs and societies and their members, in activities such as volunteering, fundraising and intervarsity competitions.
Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT commended the work of the students involved in the clubs and societies network at LYIT and praised their fundraising efforts in such difficult economic times. 
He discussed the importance of joining clubs and societies and how participation within a club/society is now seen as a ‘unique selling point’ for potential employers.
He noted that “employers are now checking C.V’s from the bottom up and that job opportunities exist for those with a keen sense of civic engagement within their community.” 
David Heraty, Student Union President, discussed his first day at LYIT and how ‘the buzz on campus from clubs and societies’ was such an uplifting experience for him, as a young impressionable first year student attending college for the first time. 
He attributes his participation in the clubs and societies network at LYIT, throughout his time as a student, as the main reason why he had the confidence to secure the role as LYIT Student Union President.
Paddy Gallagher, Sports Officer at LYIT thanked those in attendance and wished all students planning to travel abroad during the summer of 2013, to embrace their volunteering activities with both hands as this is their time to shine.
The award winners on the night were as follows;
Best Club 2013: Gardening Club
Most Outstanding Club Member 2013: Hugh Hunter, Canoe Club
Clubs and Societies Scholarship Winners 2013:
• Helen Donoghue, Hillwalking Club
• Hugh Hunter, Canoe Club
• Michelle Long, Diabetic Club
• John Mc Clean, Gardening Club
• Kieran Noonan, Climbing Club
• Lorraine Stewart, Motor Club
• Fergal Ward, Ethical Hacking Society
Individual Sports Personality 2013: Lee Boyd, Boxing
Special Recognition Award 2013: Steven O’Reilly, Boxing
Sports Player of the Year 2013: Shaun Wogan, Basketball Mens
Best Team: Basketball Mens