"Outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability in higher education”

19 May 2025

The President of UCC has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

University College Cork (UCC) is pleased to announce that its President, Professor John O’Halloran, MRIA, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Massachusetts Lowell in recognition of his outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability in higher education.

The honorary degree was conferred at a ceremony held at the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Saturday May 17th, celebrating Professor O’Halloran’s unwavering commitment to embedding sustainability across all aspects of university life – from research and teaching to operations and civic engagement. 

Professor O’Halloran, a leading ecologist, has positioned UCC 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. 

The University of Massachusetts Lowell highlighted Professor O’Halloran’s visionary approach to institutional transformation, which integrates the UN Sustainable Development Goals into UCC’s strategy and curriculum, and has inspired universities worldwide to embed sustainability at their core. Professor O’Halloran has also worked with UMass Lowell to establish the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition Program.

UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen stated, "President O’Halloran’s leadership in higher education and sustainability has served not just his university but many others, as well, including UMass Lowell. The work we’ve accomplished in partnership in areas such as wind power research and sustainability has benefitted our universities and communities, while serving as a model for other initiatives, including the Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition Initiative (CELT). I am grateful President O’Halloran could join the celebration of UMass Lowell’s commencement exercises, and it was a pleasure to recognize his extraordinary career and contributions."

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor O’Halloran said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 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. Our green journey to sustainability has been inspired by students, enabled by leadership and delivered by the university community. This award is 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."

The honorary doctorate adds to a growing list of accolades for UCC’s sustainability achievements, and reaffirms the university’s standing as a thought leader in shaping a greener, fairer higher education landscape.