May 9, 2023 By Tom O’Reilly
Thomas M. O’Reilly, Hingham resident, former President of Pine Manor College, and an architect of the new Pine Manor Institute for Student Success at Boston College with its Academy and Messina College committed to recruiting, retaining, and graduating traditionally underrepresented and underserved first-generation college students has found a new arena for contributing to this mission as a U.S. Fulbright Specialist Grantee to Iceland.
One of only about 400 individuals nationally to be selected for a Fulbright Specialist Program grant, Tom O’Reilly will complete a project at Bifrӧst University in Iceland that will analyze and assess that university’s efforts to recruit, retain, and graduate first-generation and non-traditional college students.
Rich in natural resources and low-cost thermal energy, Iceland has become a high demand location for cloud storage and other high energy use industries. Eager to ensure long term meaningful employment opportunities for its citizens and new immigrant populations, and to protect its environment through “green” practices, Iceland is focused on educating as much of its population as possible to run and lead these cutting-edge sectors. Many Icelanders continue to hail from rural communities, have not been part of the higher education landscape traditionally, or are seeking mid-life career changing opportunities. President O’Reilly will lend his years of expertise in the field of first-generation college student success to further Iceland’s efforts.
“As a first-generation college student, I understand a lot of what first-generation college students today experience. Colleges and universities traditionally focused on already highly prepared college students who share a like background can have difficulty recognizing the pure genius and capability of those who have not been so advantaged. Yet, these students represent huge developmental opportunity for the benefit of the individual and society. Recognizing and investing in them will ensure a better world. That’s what the Pine Manor Institute does at Boston College and that’s what Bifrӧst University is seeking to do. I feel tremendously honored to be invited to help in this way.” O’Reilly, joined by his wife and former Hingham School Committee Member, Liza O’Reilly, will be in Iceland for six weeks.
According to the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board project grants aim to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within education. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international
educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Fulbrighters address critical global issues in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long- term interests of the United States. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 60 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 88 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 39 who have served as a head of state or government. For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by telephone 202-632-6452 or e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov.