Terence O’Rourke receives honorary doctorate from DCU
He joins noted figures from politics, sport, literature and industry in receiving this award from DCU, including Moya Brennan, Congressman Richard Neal, Paula Meehan, President Bill Clinton, Joe Schmidt, Sonia O’Sullivan and most recently, Rosaleen Blair CBE.
About Terence O’Rourke
From Inniskeen, County Monaghan, Terence graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in Economics and History. He joined KPMG in 1975, became an audit partner in 1988 and was elected Managing Partner in 2006. He was also a member of KPMG’s Global Board, Global Executive Team and EMA Board, from 2007 to 2013. Terence’s experience with the firm also included two years with KPMG Boston, USA. From 1998 to 2003 he led KPMG Ireland’s team serving clients in the high technology, communications and state owned enterprise sectors and was Head of Audit for the firm from 2003 to 2006.
Terence is a Fellow, and was President in 2004/05, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. He is currently a member of the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board and is also Chairman of Enactus Ireland, and a member of the Council of the Irish Management Institute, the Board of the Dublin Theatre Festival and the WXN Ireland Advisory Board, and is the chairman of the ESB, Kinsale Capital Management and the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust.
Terence was a member of the DCU Governing Authority, appointed in October 2013 and stepping down in June of 2021.
In a In a citation delivered at the event, Professor Anne Sinnott, Deputy President of Dublin City University, said:
“Terence’s support for education and the development of young people is another notable element of his story. Here at DCU, Terence chaired our Governing Authority’s Strategic Finance Advisory Committee at a crucial juncture for the University when DCU engaged with the European Investment Bank and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund for the first time.
Our success in securing finance through these avenues has allowed the University to deliver on a range of ambitious projects, from the construction of the new Student Centre (The U building), the extension to the F-Block on the St Patrick's campus for the Incorporation Project, through to the Polaris building and the transformation of our public realm spaces on campus.
Throughout his career, Terence has demonstrated a commitment to public service. His voluntary contributions to the arts, education and other fields have had a real impact. He is someone who believes in people, who believes in encouraging and supporting them to reach their full potential. And while he has worked at the highest levels in business and other fields he has never lost the human touch or his sense of humour."
Speaking at the ceremony, Terence O’Rourke said
“I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Dublin City University for bestowing upon me this honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree. I am truly honoured and accept this recognition with great humility.
And I can’t end without reflecting on the words of the poet from my native village of Inniskeen in County Monaghan Patrick Kavanagh wrote a few lines that resonate with me as I consider the opportunities I have had and the experiences that I have been privileged to enjoy. He wrote thinking about his own life journey and the landscape that shaped him:
“There were stepping stones across a stream, part of my life was there, the happiest part.”
Prof Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University, said
“Over a long and distinguished career, Terence O’Rourke has made a major contribution to Irish business and public life. He has been passionate about promoting Irish businesses around the world while also tirelessly championing positive corporate citizenship in all its forms.
He is an active advocate of education in all its forms and, as a member of DCU Governing Authority, made a significant contribution to the advancement and development of our University.”
