Trustees of Reservations President and CEO John Judge ‘89 Announced as 2022 Commencement Speaker

President and CEO of the Trustees of Reservations John Judge ’89 will address the Class of 2022 at Stonehill College’s 71st Commencement on Sunday, May 22. The Stonehill alumnus will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the ceremony. 

“I am honored to address the Class of 2022 as their commencement speaker,” Judge said. “The values I learned as a student have influenced my life’s work of stewardship and preservation for our environment. I look forward to celebrating with this year’s graduating class as they boldly step into their own futures and reflect on the ways their college experiences have shaped their lives.” 

Judge has served as chief executive of the Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s oldest conservation and preservation organization, since February 2022. He is only the fifth person to hold the title of president and CEO in the organization’s history, which spans 130 years.  

Judge previously led the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) as CEO for a decade. AMC is dedicated to the protection, enjoyment and understanding of mountains, forests, waters and trails of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Judge’s work focused on increasing access to and engagement with the outdoors for all people, in particular urban residents. He also led several initiatives designed to increase AMC’s commitment to climate resiliency. 

Prior to working for AMC, Judge was the Chief City Planning and Economic Development Officer for the City of Springfield. He oversaw various commercial and industrial projects, including the establishment of the University of Massachusetts Design Center. He has also held roles with other notable organizations, including the Massachusetts Service Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, Goodwill Industries and the Boy Scouts of America.  

A passionate outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing, Judge is the author of The Outdoor Citizen: Get Out, Give Back, Get Active. Originally published in December 2019, this work offers a comprehensive guide to saving the planet and committing to an active outdoor lifestyle amid the ongoing climate crisis. 

Judge received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stonehill College, and a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. During his time at Stonehill, he served as Student Government Association president from 1987 to 1989. He was also a DJ for campus radio station WSHL, a cartoonist for student newspaper The Summit, and a work study student for Stonehill’s Advancement division. During his senior year, he was the recipient of the President’s Service Award. 

Since graduating, Judge has remained active in the Stonehill community. He has volunteered as both a class agent and member of the Alumni Council. Most recently, he gave a virtual presentation to Stonehill alumni called “Our Outdoor Journey: People, Planet and Purpose” in April 2021. 

"John Judge is a pioneer in climate justice. As he enacts his vision of outdoor accessibility through his new role with the Trustees of Reservations, we are thrilled he will be returning to campus to address this year’s senior class as an exemplar of the light and hope we have for all our students,” said President John Denning, C.S.C.