Passing the Baton
Vibrant autumn hues provided an ideal setting for a presidential transition. Professor Philip Nolan wishes incoming president, Professor Eeva Leinonen, well in her future stewardship of Maynooth University
Following a decade at the helm of Maynooth University, on 30th September, 2021, Professor Philip Nolan handed the proverbial baton to Professor Eeva Leinonen, who became the University’s fifth president—and its first female president—since it became an independent institution in 1997.
“Being the first woman is not everything, but it’s not nothing either,” Prof Leinonen said in her welcome address to the campus community on 1st October.
She recognised the significant contributions that Professor Nolan made over his decade leading Maynooth University.
In the course of Prof Nolan’s tenure, MU became the fastest growing and most diverse university in Ireland. He led a university-wide reform of the undergraduate curriculum, which was cited as a best practice model for all Irish universities. He oversaw the expansion of the Law Department, School of Business, and the appointment of over 250 additional faculty members. Major campus developments included the University’s largest capital project, a €57 million ‘Technology Society and Innovation Project,’
the development of a 20-year campus master plan, and the opening of the International College of Engineering at Fuzhou University in China.
Professor Leinonen, who grew up in Finland, talked about her belief in education as a “social equalizer” and said she looked forward to working with the entire MU community—students, staff, alumni, regional partners and industry—to plan for the next phase of the University’s development.
“Next year Maynooth celebrates its 25th anniversary. This affords us an opportunity to pause, reflect and plan for the years ahead. Due to its rapid enrolment growth, its diverse student population, its youthful and collegial attitude toward multi-disciplinary research, and its strengths in fields that are critical to Ireland’s economic future, I believe Maynooth University can play a significant role in preparing for next-generation Ireland.”
Being the first woman is not everything, but it’s not nothing either
- Prof Leinonen