The President of University College Cork has been awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the US.
Professor John O'Halloran received the honorary degree in recognition of what was described as his "outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability in higher education".
It was conferred on the UCC President at a ceremony in the University of Massachusetts Lowell near Boston yesterday.
The honorary doctorate was awarded to Prof O’Halloran to celebrate his "unwavering commitment to embedding sustainability across all aspects of university life, from research and teaching to operations and civic engagement".
The University of Massachusetts Lowell highlighted the professor’s "visionary approach to institutional transformation".
UCC said the leading ecologist has positioned the university as a global leader in environmental stewardship.
"Under his leadership, UCC became the first university in the world to be awarded a Green Flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education, and continues to rank among the top universities globally for its environmental and social impact."
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof O’Halloran said he was "deeply honoured" to receive the recognition from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Prof O’Halloran described the award as "a tribute to the collective efforts of our students, staff, and partners who are working every day to create a more just and sustainable future".
"Sustainability is not just a priority for UCC, it is a responsibility that defines our values, shapes our actions, and connects us to our communities locally and globally," he added.
