University of Limerick President Professor Kerstin Mey has paid tribute to the Irish American philanthropist Chuck Feeney following his passing.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of the entire University of Limerick community past and present in expressing our sorrow at the loss of one of the most giving of men in Chuck Feeney,” said Professor Mey.
“I was fortunate to meet him and his wife Helga as recently as March in San Francisco and it was a privilege to spend some time with him.
“I want to offer my sympathy on behalf of the institution to his family and to celebrate a truly extraordinary legacy that he leaves behind as an inspiration to all.”
Through Atlantic Philanthropies Chuck Feeney gifted in the region of €150m to the UL Foundation, which has been transformational to the campus, the city and wider region.
He was the catalyst behind the establishment of the ULF in 1989 and was a long-time Foundation Board Member.
“Chuck Feeney’s giving while living philosophy is at its heart an exceptional story of giving – around €8 billion towards philanthropy, for education, youth, health, and human rights globally,” Professor Mey said.
“As the son of Irish American parents, maybe it is no surprise that over €1 billion of philanthropic support went to Ireland, and UL has been one of the main beneficiaries. At its simplest, the University of Limerick campus, over 18,000 students and 2,000 staff would not have been possible were it not for Chuck Feeney’s generosity.”
The main thoroughfare through University of Limerick was this year named ‘Feeney Way, in honour of Mr Feeney’s practice of giving while living.
“We wanted to acknowledge Chuck with the Feeney Way dedication; for one, because we are hugely appreciative for what he has done for UL, this region and for Ireland and this was ultimately where his ‘Giving While Living’ started.
“I know we join with a huge community of colleagues in education, health, youth support and human rights organisations all over the world in humble thanks to an incredible man,” Professor Mey added.