Honorary Fellowship 
John Cassidy MBE
John Cassidy has had a long and distinguished career at Cardonald College Glasgow. A lecturer in the College for 24 years, John has shown great commitment to students across a number of vocational areas particularly within the Thermal Insulation industry. John has also been the Branch Secretary of the EIS union in the College for over 20 years and in 2006 John received an MBE for services to Further Education. However, it is not for his role as lecturer or as union representative that he is being awarded the fellowship this evening.
John is receiving this fellowship for his outstanding contribution to our college community, the wider education sector and his tireless efforts to support charitable causes. John represents what is best about Cardonald College Glasgow and models the values of the College.
John excels at giving service to others. Since 1989, he has raised over £150,000 for various local, national and international charities in his role as charities convenor. John would say that he didn't raise the money. He would thank the staff and students of the College for their contributions. However we are sure that without John taking a lead role, these charities would not have benefitted to the extent that they have. John never seeks any praise or recognition and indeed shies away from the limelight.
John believes in equality of opportunity for all and is respectful of the views of others. He encourages union activity in the College for the benefit of everyone. John is widely respected throughout Scotland for his contributions on many educational committees where he has sat as an EIS representative. John is able to see the bigger picture and is always looking for what is best for the students in further education.
John encourages staff and students to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Often these activities are good for your health or the health of others for example, John coordinates visits to the College by the Blood Transfusion Centre twice a year. John himself has given over 200 pints of blood to the service. He encourages everyone to cycle to the College, as he has done almost every day. He was first onto the football pitch every Monday night to play football, encouraging his younger colleagues to participate and enjoy and organising the annual inter-college tournament.
John has high expectations of himself and others and is ambitious for the success of everyone associated with Cardonald College Glasgow. As John prepared for his retirement he made sure that many of the charitable and social activities he was responsible for were carried on. However, in his absence the College now has a committee to replace John, further evidence of his hard work and commitment to others.
Everyone who knows John values his openness, integrity and respect for everyone. He gladly celebrates the success of others and indeed brings the success to our attention when we sometimes forget. As a Fellow of Cardonald College Glasgow, John will be an ambassador who embodies all that is best about the College.
