A world leader in the fight to address the climate crisis has been awarded an honorary degree from Siena.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres was named an honorary doctor of humane letters at a July 15 reception in New York hosted by the Franciscan community. Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. and Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Baldwin ‘81 presented the degree, along with Br. Michael Perry O.F.M., director of Siena’s Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology.
Secretary General Guterres delivered the keynote address at last fall’s “Earth’s Cry, Humanity’s Call” symposium hosted by Siena, where he encouraged young people everywhere “to play a vital role on the front lines for bold climate action.”
In his introductory remarks at the degree presentation, President Seifert referenced the moral call that Guterres issued to Saints last October: “You challenged our students to respond with compassion, courage and resolve to challenges related to peace, pursuit of justice, and care for our common home.”
Br. Michael shared that Siena’s board wanted to recognize the Secretary General, who was very generous with his time and offered high praise for Siena, for “his tireless efforts to promote values central to the Franciscan charism – respect for human dignity and human rights, promotion of dialogue and peace, and care for creation – values that align with the mission and vision of Siena University.”
Siena’s Board adopted “Our Resolution on Sustainability” in March 2024, outlining Siena’s commitment to supporting “both morally and materially” the University’s efforts to address climate change.
The Secretary General was awarded the honorary degree on Siena's first day as a university, which makes Guterres the first graduate of Siena University! His full remarks from the degree presentation will be shared with the community in a future issue of the Scoop.