DCU honours Congressman Richard Neal, Barbara Barrett and Michael Crow in Washington ceremony

Dublin City University has paid tribute to Congressman Richard Neal, one of the most influential figures in American politics; Barbara Barrett, former US Secretary of the Air Force; and Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University. 

The trio were conferred with honorary doctorates (Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa) at a special ceremony in Washington last night.

They join noted figures from politics, sport, literature and industry in receiving this award from DCU. They include President Bill Clinton, Sen. George Mitchell, President Mary McAleese, Seamus Mallon, John Hume, Sonia O'Sullivan, Seamus Heaney and David Trimble.

Speaking at the event, Professor Daire Keogh, DCU President said 

“In honouring three exceptional Americans, we celebrate Ireland’s and DCU’s strong ties to the United States. We celebrate our honourees’ values, their contributions to the public good and achievement in their respective fields. Their achievements  in Education, in Business, in Politics, and elsewhere aligns with the DCU mission to ‘transform lives and societies. We are delighted and proud to honour them.”

Congressman Richard Neal

Delivering the citation for Congressman Neal who has represented Massachusetts’s End district in the US House of Representatives for the past 35 years, Professor John Doyle from DCU’s School of Law and Government praised his work and interventions in the US but also his unwavering support for the peace process and his interest in Irish affairs.

“He has made his mark, not thanks to privilege or connections, but by way of determination, intelligence, hard work, and a passionate belief in public service.”

“While best known in the US for his interventions on economics, health and social security, Richie is best known in Ireland for his long record of support for the peace process and his interest in Irish affairs. Indeed, one of his very first speeches in Congress focused on Northern Ireland. This, of course, is a reflection of Richie’s Irish heritage.

“As a long-time advocate of US involvement in the peace process, Richie encouraged President Clinton to appoint Senator George Mitchell as an envoy to Northern Ireland. The Senator went on to chair the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement.”

“Richie’s consistent support for Ireland, is also seen in his engagement with the detail of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol negotiations.”

“As an Irish-American, Richie has been a steadfast champion for peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland. As a legislator, he has made a major contribution to the task of making America a fairer, more equitable and more caring society for all.” 

Accepting his award, Congressman Neal said, “The consistent theme through Irish history has been the regard for learning,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “The importance of the written and spoken word is an intrinsic part of that very rich foundation. I am honored to accept this degree from Dublin City University in the name of these generations.”

Barbara Barrett

Marian Burns, Director of Human Resources at DCU, delivered the citation on behalf of Barbara Barrett in honour of her work and dedication to public service, education, inclusion and excellence.

“Barbara is many things. Businesswoman, Philanthropist, Ambassador, Women’s Advocate, Educational Campaigner, Senior Government Official, Instrument-Rated Pilot, Space Flight Trainee. Barbara has done it all. She is in every sense of the expression, a ‘high flyer’. One of life’s natural leaders, she is dedicated to Public Service, Education, Inclusion, and Excellence.”

“Barbara is and has been self made. By this, I mean she has always made situations work towards the best outcome possible and this speaks to her ability to lead in any situation. Leadership is intuitive to Barbara and this is most evident when we look at the symbolism that she brings to any situation. She sets standards, she influences others, she is wise and understated, while demanding excellence in everything she does.”

“Throughout her career, Barbara has been a pioneer, leading the way for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. She is truly a woman of firsts - the first woman Chair of the US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, the first woman Chair of ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management, the first woman Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. And for good measure, the first civilian woman to land on an aircraft carrier in an FA-18 fighter jet.”

Ambassador Barrett said “Dublin City University has not only been integral to the development of generations of Irish leaders, but it has helped tighten the already strong bonds that connect Ireland and the United States. It's an honor to accept this degree in the spirit of continued friendship and shared purpose between our peoples.”

Michael Crow

Professor Anne Sinnott, DCU Deputy President, delivered the citation for Michael Crow, a science and technology policy scholar and President of Arizona State University who has been transforming higher education in America and beyond.  

“Under his leadership at ASU, it has become one of the world's best public metropolitan research universities. His tenure has seen a five-fold increase in research expenditures, the creation of more than 25 new transdisciplinary schools and a major expansion of ASU’s footprint, to cater for a doubling in student numbers.”

“For Michael, however, the mission is about the transformation of higher education in America and beyond. Michael has described himself as ‘a radical knowledge enterprise architect’, who is passionately committed to the reform of a system which he believes is simply not working.” 

“Michael’s vision for the impact of higher education isn’t confined to the United States. ASU has established trailblazing multidisciplinary research initiatives with an international reach, such as the Biodesign Institute and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. Both of these involve DCU as a strategic partner.”

Speaking about his award, Dr. Crow said

“For more than a decade, it has been a pleasure to engage with the expertise and spirit of innovation that defines Dublin City University,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “Our institutions share a strong desire to evolve new, transformative opportunities for discovery, lifelong learning and entrepreneurship, and I am honored to receive this recognition from such an esteemed community of scholars.”