Richard Mahoney ’55 ’83 H

As one of three brothers who received degrees in chemistry from UMass Amherst, Richard John Mahoney ’55 ’83 H became a leader in his own right. Mahoney is the retired chief executive officer and chairman of Monsanto. Lately, he’s been a consistent contributor to UMass, helping to develop the notable Integrated Concentration in Science (iCons) program and the Mahoney Life Sciences Prize. Now he’s the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors alumni who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and have made unique and significant contributions to their profession and communities throughout their lives.

Back in 2009, Richard and brothers William Mahoney ’55 and Robert Mahoney ’70 helped fund the cutting-edge, interdisciplinary Integrated Science Building. At that time, Dr. Mahoney asked, “Great that the building says ‘Integrated’ on the outside, but what are you doing differently on the inside?” The answer: the iCons program, where students integrate knowledge to solve problems as part of interdisciplinary teams. They have conducted research on issues from endocrine disruption to the fate of nanoparticles in photovoltaics and have learned how to communicate about their work with poise and professionalism.

Mahoney was instrumental in developing several prizes, including the Mahoney Alumni Award, the Family Life Sciences Award, the iCons Instructional Fund, the Executive Directorship iCons, the iCons Evolution Fund, and the Mahoney Life Sciences Prize, which recognizes UMass Amherst scientists in the College of Natural Science whose work significantly advances connections between research and industry. Initiated in 2018, the $10,000 this year went to biologist Margaret “Peg” Riley for her pathbreaking research into bacteriocin-based antimicrobials. These are drugs that are both effective against drug-resistant microbes and result in fewer side effects.

Lately, Mahoney has been a prolific author, with books and essays in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times. Mahoney also produced The CEO Series for the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy, some thirty original essays written by CEOs of major corporations. He published In My Opinion, writings on strategy, management, trade, and other topics. He hosts a conference for TV, radio, and print journalists each summer at Cape Cod, sponsored by the Weidenbaum Center, and conducts seminars at a summer writer’s conference.