Cox and Hunt awarded UL degrees
The former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, and the late art historian and philanthropist, John Hunt, have been awarded honorary degrees at the University of Limerick.
They were among four people who were recognised for their achievement and contribution to the region in a conferring ceremony today at the university.
Mr Cox, who was elected President of the European Parliament in 2002, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Economic Science.
He lectured in economics at the University of Limerick before spending four years with RTE as a presenter and broadcaster on the "Today Tonight" programme
A former General Secretary of the Progressive Democrats, Mr Cox also served Munster as an independent MEP for more than a decade.
Mr Cox who was joined at today's ceremony by his wife Cathy and five of their children said he was "patricularly proud" to receive the award in the University where he once taught.
"For me this is a very special kind of home-coming, I worked here when this was formerly the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE).
"It is a wonderful honour, the highest honour that a great university can give and I feel very proud to be home in Limerick," he said.
When his term of office ended as President of the European Parliament Mr Cox set about forming the consultancy business, European Integration Solutions, of which he is a managing partner.
Mr Cox said the business aims to offer insights into the operation of the European Union.
Next week the 52-year-old will travel to the west coast of the United States on business. "We've had a very good start to the business and we are optimistic that we can build it into a vibrant consultancy," he said.
The late art historian and founding director of The Hunt Museum, John Hunt, was awarded a posthumous honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his contribution to the contemporary arts and for his role in spearheading the establishment of The Hunt Museum.
The Hunt Collection, which was donated to the State by the Hunt family, has an estimated value of €70m and is one of the world's largest private collections of art and artefacts.
Mr Hunt died last August at the age of 47 and his wife, Patricia, accepted the honorary doctorate today on behalf of her late husband.
Mrs Hunt said that her late husband's life was devoted to helping artists and that he also recognised the enormous struggle that the majority of artists have in earning a living from their art.
She added that she was particularly pleased for her three children that their late father was being publicly honoured at yesterday's ceremony.
"This award is especially significant for our three children Jack, Paddy and Miriam.
"They are uniquely privileged that their Dad is publicly honored in this way.
"For years to come they will cherish and remember this happy day.
"They know that their love for their Dad is shared by many people," said Mrs Hunt.
Two other people with strong Limerick connections were also awarded honorary degrees at today's conferring ceremony.
The Chairman of the Limerick firm of solicitors, Holmes, O'Malley, Sexton, Mr Gordon Holmes, was honoured with a Doctorate of Laws in acknowledgment of his 11-year service as State Solicitor for the city, during a time in which he also acted as Solicitor to the Attorney-General.
The Chief Executive of the US-based computer firm, the Macrovision Corporation, John Ryan, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Engineering in recognition of his services to Technology.
Mr Ryan, who hails from Co Tipperary, is a former winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Silicon Valley in California.
The Chancellor of the University of Limerick, Sean Donlon, paid tribute to all four recipients at today's awards ceremony.
"Each of the four people honoured have, in their own distinctive ways, made enormous contributions to public life, in Ireland and abroad.
"All four are closely connected with this region and the University of Limerick takes great pride in their achievements" said Mr Donlon.
