In the recently announced Birthday Honours, the M.B.E. is being awarded to Kilskeery man, Mr. Wesley Alan Strong, ‘Senior Lecturer, School of the Built Environment, Ulster University. For services to Higher Education and Sport in Northern Ireland.’ 

Born and bred in Kilskeery, Alan was educated at Queen Elizabeth II Primary School. The second son of Ernie and Laura Strong (both deceased), his elder brother Kenneth is a retired civil servant and lives in Omagh; his younger brother Roger is deceased. His close relatives in Fermanagh include his cousins Avril Kee (Enniskillen), Paula Moore (Kesh) and Amanda Latimer (Enniskillen).

After attending Portora Royal School, he moved to Queen’s University to study Civil Engineering, obtaining an Honours Degree, as well as Blue for ‘Table tennis performance.’

Alan worked as a graduate and chartered civil engineer in Belfast with Ferguson McIlveen and at Kilroot Power Station with an English company, before moving to the Ulster Polytechnic as a lecturer in 1977.

He had been in the Ulster University for 39 years, prior to retirement in April 2016. His role was ‘Academic Lead for Civil Engineering,’ overseeing two undergraduate civil engineering degrees and as Course Director of the MSc in Infrastructure Engineering. Ulster University sits at seventh place in the UK Guardian League Tables for civil engineering.

He had been a Senior Lecturer for several years and initiated two other degrees, as well as leading on Sustainability, Design and Public Health Engineering disciplines.

Alan has held NI Chairmanship of two professional bodies - Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, was elected as a Fellow and was the recipient of two UK awards - ‘Warren Medal’ and ‘Spirit of Telford award.’ 

His table tennis activity moved from player to Ulster Coach and he is now Director of Coaching for Ulster and Coaching Director for the Irish Table Tennis Association; he received an Honorary Lifetime Membership award from the National Body in May 2016, and it was presented by his brother Kenneth, who is ITTA President. His Ulster role involves the overseeing of four staff, including Gervis Knox, originally from Trillick, as well as providing all coach education programmes.

He serves or has served on several NI Boards, following Ministerial appointments: -Sports Council for NI, Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment, Waste Management Advisory Body, North East Institute, Methodist College Belfast and Ballynure Primary School.

He retains strong community links, serving in several capacities of leadership in Glengormley Methodist Church and as Chairman of ‘The Clare Chorale’ choir in Ballyclare. He is currently carrying out a Review into Winter Flooding 2015/16 for N Ireland for DARD and Rivers Agency.

Along with his wife Joan, he says he was delighted and totally surprised to receive an MBE. Also surprised and delighted were his children Laura, Zelda and Adam, his in laws and seven grandchildren.

“I had not ever expected any honour like this, having thoroughly enjoyed work in engineering, education, sport and the community over many years,” commented Alan.

He acknowledged the superb support of his wife Joan, originally from Omagh, his children and his many colleagues at Ulster University “who have contributed to this high rating in UK civil engineering.”