John Judge '89 Receives Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree at 2022 Commencement

Guided by your desire to foster a culture of outdoor citizenship, as president and chief executive officer of The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest conservation and preservation organization, you are a global voice for climate justice.  

As a lifelong steward of sacred lands, you work tirelessly to ensure that all people can experience the majesty of God’s creation. Having prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion in your efforts, you live the words of Stonehill College’s mission statement by recognizing and affirming the inherent dignity of each person.  

As a courageous conservation advocate, you have helped build hundreds of miles of trails in underserved communities in our great Commonwealth by successfully engaging with stakeholders and maintaining a people-first mindset. You have rallied volunteers, raised funds and participated in efforts to establish innovative outdoor centers and accessible programs that have helped revitalize urban areas. 

As the author of the 2019 book The Outdoor Citizen: Get Out, Give Back, Get Active, you have empowered people everywhere by providing a framework for engagement with the outdoors amid the ongoing climate crisis. Throughout your career, you have been guided by a sense of responsibility to protect and preserve our environment so that those who come after you may experience all its wonders. 

At the core of every successful leader resides the ability to galvanize others around a shared vision. You have excelled in this endeavor time and again. Your contributions to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond have earned you the respect and admiration of your colleagues, the Stonehill College community and outdoor citizens everywhere.  

For your leadership and your dedication to environmental stewardship and conservation, Stonehill College is proud to bestow upon you, John Judge, honoris causa, the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.