President Patricia McGuire Receives Honorary Degree, Gives Commencement Speech at Liverpool Hope University
President Patricia McGuire received an honorary doctor of education from Liverpool Hope University and delivered the commencement speech at the university’s Winter Graduation on January 26, 2011, in Liverpool, England. President McGuire was recognized for her exemplary leadership in higher education and her commitment to the transformative power of education. Liverpool Hope University is an ecumenical university that was created though the merger of three colleges, including a college founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame.
In her remarks to the graduates, President McGuire said, your “degrees come with a serious and urgent imperative: these diplomas are your commissions to engage the work of the world for this and succeeding generations, to bring the full power of your knowledge, your diverse talents, your robust faith, your expansive charity, and your intense lamp of hope to our fellow citizens of this difficult, contentious, oft-dark world.” She also told the graduates that, “What will define you is the way in which your life’s work in the world touches, enlarges and transforms the lives of others. By the values you incorporate into your life’s work, you will bear witness to our shared history even as you become prophets of a future filled with imagination, innovation and the hope of true social transformation.”
- Read President McGuire’s remarks to the graduates.
- Read President McGuire’s reflections on her Liverpool visit on her blog.
- Learn more about Liverpool Hope University.
In presenting President McGuire with her honorary degree, Pro Vice Chancellor Bishop Ian Stuart noted that when he first met her on a visit to Trinity in 2010, “I was immediately struck by the warmth, the energy the commitment and the caring, ‘hands on’ approach of Trinity’s President, Pat McGuire.” He noted that, “Under President McGuire’s leadership, Trinity has grown into one of the most successful urban education centres in the nation.” He added that, “President McGuire is a gifted communicator who is not afraid to take on complicated, thorny issues in higher education, and writes and speaks with candour, passion and constructive criticism on a wide variety of topics concerning higher education, women and Catholic education.”
He concluded his remarks by noting that, “President McGuire values and exemplifies integrity and honesty; she is a compassionate leader who cares deeply about her students, her faculty, her staff, and her alumnae; she has a great enthusiasm for life; she has a terrific sense of humour; she embraces change and encourages others to embrace change; she is a keen observer of the world – from the wildlife on the lakes of the Adirondacks to the actions of our global leaders, from life on campus to life in national politics; she embraces new technology; she is a strategic and intellectual thinker and a visionary leader; she is a tireless advocate for those who are disadvantaged and disenfranchised; she believes in the transformative power of education and sees it as a path to empowerment, economic independence and a fulfilling life.”