MANHATTAN COLLEGE TO CONFER HONORARY DEGREE ON QUEEN'S CHANCELLOR 

06 April 2017

Irish-American businessman Dr Thomas J Moran, who became the 10th Chancellor of Queen’s University in 2015, will receive an honorary degree in humane letters from Manhattan College, where he originally graduated in 1974.

Manhattan College in Riverdale New York, was founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Catholic teaching order started by Saint John Baptist de La Salle. The picturesque campus is located in The Bronx, a 35-minute subway ride from the heart of Manhattan.

The Chairman of the board of Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, will also address Manhattan’s ‘Class of 2017’ at the College’s annual Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 19.

Dr Moran began his career with Mutual of America Life Insurance Company in 1975, one year after graduating BS in Mathematics from Manhattan College. He retired as chief executive officer in 2016, after serving as president of the company from 1994 to 2015.

Under his supervision, Mutual of America grew from a small retirement association to a leading provider of retirement plans. As CEO of the Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, the firm has become one of the leading financial services firms in the US, with assets in excess of $13 billion and employing 11,000 people.

A native New Yorker with ancestral roots in Fermanagh and Cavan, Tom Moran is listed by Irish America magazine as one of the top 100 Irish-American business people in the USA. President and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual since October 1994, he was the first person to have been appointed President from within the Company.

For more than a decade, Dr Moran served as chairman of Concern Worldwide-U.S., an international humanitarian relief organisation that operates in 30 of the poorest countries of the world. His commitment to philanthropy was recognised in 2015 when he was named Chancellor of Queen’s. His relationship with the University began in 2006, when he was presented with an honorary Doctor of Science in Economics for services to business, commerce and to public service.

As Chancellor of Queen’s Dr Moran fulfils three roles – a ceremonial one which involves presiding at degree congregations; an ambassadorial role, whereby he helps to “open doors” for the University as it seeks to fulfil its mission; and finally as an advisor, available to the Vice-Chancellor and senior management as a “sounding board”.

Tom Moran has contributed to several other humanitarian and community causes, as well as the peace process in Northern Ireland. He is listed as one of the top 100 Irish-American business people.

The first in his family to graduate from Manhattan College, Dr Moran has remained connected with the College as a generous donor and former member of the board of trustees from 1995-2003. He was an active supporter of the Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons and the De La Salle Dinner, the College’s top fundraising event.

Tom and his wife Joan currently reside in New York City.

The Manhattan College website has complete information on Commencement 2017, including a schedule of events.

General inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office at Queen’s; tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

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