UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
HONORARY CONFERRING
Monday, 3 September 2012 at 10.30 a.m.
TEXT OF THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DR FRANK MCLOUGHLIN, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering, University College Dublin on 3 September 2012, on the occasion of the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa on PATRICK KENNY
President, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to welcome Pat Kenny back to University College Dublin, his alma mater, where today he will be conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa for his exceptional contributions to public-service broadcasting.
Pat Kenny has had a long and productive association with UCD. In 1965 he embarked upon his undergraduate studies choosing Chemical Engineering as a challenging career path. These were truly heady times in UCD and he energetically engaged with the so-called “gentle revolution”, which sought to change what were perceived to be outdated customs and practices within the University. We, in the Chemical Engineering community, like to think that his later pre-eminence as a broadcaster and communicator was probably founded upon his early experiences as Secretary of the Chemical Engineering Society in 1968. This august position required the Secretary to report upon events at previous meetings in a diverting and engaging manner, while being careful not to burden the members with excessive or tiresome detail. Pat excelled in this position and established a template which I, as his successor in the following year, was happy to embrace. Upon graduation in 1969 he embarked upon what was then a relatively unusual step, by choosing to undertake postgraduate studies in Georgia Institute of Technology, then, as now, an international centre of excellence in Engineering studies. This was a formative experience in that the more flexible credit system within US higher education facilitated and encouraged the exploration of other interesting areas outside the confines of Chemical Engineering. In particular, his choice of an elective in Political Science was probably instrumental in embedding a life-long interest in national and international politics. On his return to Ireland he toyed briefly with the idea of a career in academia and taught for some time in Bolton Street College of Technology (todays DIT) before a first foray into broadcasting, initially in radio and later, of course in television was to prove a turning point in his life.
To attempt a comprehensive review of a broadcasting career of some four decades duration which ranged over current affairs, political commentary, light entertainment, election coverage and many other areas, is a daunting task, which would consume more time than is available today and which is, in any case, well-known to all here. What is to be celebrated and formally acknowledged, by the award of this degree, is the even-handedness, the tireless rigour and the consummate professionalism which have marked all of his broadcasting activities. In this regard, it is relevant to note that his career thus far has spanned some very troubled and fractious periods in our history and development, times when his sensitivity and firmness were required in equal measure, in exploring issues of enormous interest to the whole nation. In a lighter vein, many a wily politician seeking valuable airtime learned very early on that arguments must be very carefully prepared lest they be rapidly and forensically dismantled by the formidable Pat Kenny who after all can justifiably claim to have interviewed no fewer than three US presidents.!
But Pat has never forgotten his academic heritage. He has, on several occasions, returned to this college to address students, to attend class reunions, to host celebratory gatherings, and to chair important events, in particular, the annual Merville Lay Seminar series. This innovative undertaking challenges postgraduate research students to make their findings in complex and difficult subject areas intelligible and interesting to a lay audience. This is a very searching test of the communication skills of the presenter – and it is entirely appropriate that it be overseen by someone combining remarkable communication skills with an abiding and lively interest in technical and scientific issues.
His insightful and analytical approach is nowhere more in evidence than in the presentation and discussion of these matters of technical and scientific import: 40 years on, Pat’s Chemical Engineering background is still a justifiable source of pride and a very telling asset. In areas such as energy production and usage, waste management, the exploration of new technologies, he has acted as an informed mediator, with an understanding of the technical complexities, a sensitivity to the concerns of the lay person and the courage and confidence to challenge even the most entrenched views. This is a refreshing approach, particularly at a time when some presenters and commentators seem to regard lack of competence in such areas, particularly mathematics, as a badge of honour to be flourished at every turn.
Today, Pat Kenny returns to receive from his alma mater this high honour which formally recognises and fully acknowledges his outstanding contribution to public-service broadcasting in this country.
Praehonorabilis Praeses, totaque Universitas,
Praesento vobis hunc meum filium, quem scio tam moribus quam doctrina habilem et idoneum esse qui admittatur, honoris causa, ad gradum Doctoratus Scientiae; idque tibi fide mea testor ac spondeo, totique Academiae.