Queen’s University Belfast inaugurated Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton as its 11th Chancellor in 2020. Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, writes about this milestone.
Note: This piece was originally published in Business & Finance annual magazine 2025/26, vol. 62, available to read, with compliments, here.
By Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast had the honour of inaugurating Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton as our 11th Chancellor in 2020. It was a historic moment as Secretary Clinton became the first woman to hold the position in our University’s 180-year history.
For Queen’s, this was a milestone of profound significance. Our institution was founded in 1845 with a mission to provide education that would open doors of opportunity and enable positive change, but initially admitted only male students, as was the norm in the 19th century. Not only did we rapidly evolve to admit women, but we also embraced gender equality, exemplified by being the first university in Ireland, and only the second in the United Kingdom, to achieve Athena Swan Gold status. An achievement that we take great pride in because of our steadfast commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
In welcoming Secretary Hillary Clinton as Chancellor, we further affirmed that commitment to gender equality, as well as the importance of public service and international leadership. Her appointment reflects the values that drive our University today: inclusion, innovation and genuine local and global impact.
Secretary Clinton’s connection to Northern Ireland stretches back more than three decades. From her very first visit in 1995 as First Lady of the United States, Secretary Clinton recognised the importance of supporting and empowering the women who were working quietly, but determinedly, to advance peace. She encouraged their voices to be heard during the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, helping to ensure that reconciliation and equality were at the heart of the peace process. That commitment never wavered.
Throughout her career as US Senator, Secretary of State and global advocate for women and children, she has returned time and again to Northern Ireland – building relationships, encouraging dialogue and offering support during both hopeful and more difficult times. She understood that peace was not an event but a process, it was something to be nurtured, protected and renewed across generations.
At Queen’s, we see education as a cornerstone of that process. Universities are uniquely placed to bring people together, debate differences, generate new ideas and build shared understanding. Secretary Clinton has long been a champion of this mission. Her work in Northern Ireland resonates deeply with our own commitment to foster reconciliation and social progress, while demonstrating global leadership through research, education and civic responsibility.
Secretary Clinton’s inauguration as Chancellor is therefore more than ceremonial; it is symbolic of continuity and renewal. Taking place on our storied campus, where students have gathered for 180 years to mark milestones in their academic lives, the inauguration ceremony in 2021 brought together students, staff and alumni, all recognising the significance of having a figure of Secretary Clinton’s stature and global influence accept this role in Belfast.
At Queen’s, we attract a diverse student body from more than 80 countries, and many of our graduates will go on to shape society across the globe. To see a leader of Secretary Clinton’s calibre – someone who has broken barriers, championed human rights and demonstrated resilience in the face of challenge – serving as Chancellor is a reminder to students that their own aspirations can transcend boundaries.
In the years since her inauguration, Secretary Clinton has enhanced the life of our University. She has met with students, engaged with researchers, and lent her voice to issues that matter deeply to our university community. She has highlighted the importance of civic leadership and the role of universities in building bridges, as well as the continuing global relevance of the Northern Ireland peace process.
As we look to the future, Secretary Clinton’s leadership as Chancellor reinforces our University’s commitment as a place of learning that not only advances knowledge but also serves society. Her 30-year dedication to Northern Ireland reminds us that education and reconciliation are interwoven: both are long-term investments requiring vision, patience and persistence.
The Sutherland Leadership Award rightly honours Secretary Clinton for embodying the values of transformative, international leadership. At Queen’s, we are proud to call her our Chancellor, and to share in the work of building peace, equality and opportunity for generations to come.