Press release, 27 April 2013

Mr David O’Sullivan is the Alumnus of the Year 2013

The Alumni Association of the College of is delighted to announce that Mr David O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the European External Action Service, received the Alumnus of the Year Award 2013.

The Award Panel highlighted Mr O’Sullivan’s distinguished career in the European public service but also his personal qualities.

An alumnus of the Adam Jerzy Czartoryski Promotion (1975/76), Mr O’Sullivan held numerous prominent positions. He was notably appointed Director General of the then DG XXII (today, Education and Culture) at the age of 46. Following the resignation of the Santer Commission, he headed ’s private office and played a significant role in the formation of the new Commission. He later was called to the prestigious post of Secretary General. In 2005, Mr O’Sullivan was appointed Director General for Trade, until, in 2010, Ms Ashton called him his present challenging position. Setting up the EEAS is an extremely complex task, and Mr O’Sullivan’s endeavours contribute to making Europe speak with one voice. In addition, Mr O’Sullivan is a remarkable individual with an outstanding academic record, impeccable linguistic skills and a brilliant record as a debater.

The Award Ceremony took place on 25 April 2013 in Brussels, kindly hosted by Mr François Decoster, Member of the Committee of the Regions.

About the Award

Since 2003, the Alumnus of the Year prize rewards an alumnus who, through his personal life or professional career, has made a significant contribution to the furtherance of the values of the . These values include the promotion of the European ideal, excellence, generosity, friendship and solidarity.

The members of the 2013 Award Panel were: Mr Michel Barnier, member of the ; Professor Jerzy Buzek MEP, former President of the European Parliament; Professor Paul Demaret, Rector of the College of Europe; Ms Sylvie Goulard MEP; Ms Connie Hedegaard, member of the European Commission; Mr Martin Schulz MEP, President of the European Parliament; Mr Peter Terium, President and CEO of RWE AG; and Ms Eleonora Wäktare, President of the Alumni Association of the College of Europe.

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About the Alumni Association of the College of Europe

Founded in 1949, the College of Europe is the world’s first university institute of postgraduate European studies. Today, the Alumni Association of the College of brings together over 11,000 former students, in more than 100 countries.

The Alumni Association closely cooperates with the College of Europe to ensure that the “Esprit du Collège” lives on among the alumni. The Association maintains close contacts with its Regional Groups active around the world. Since 2007, the Association shares its headquarters with the Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation at the heart of the European quarter in Brussels.

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Press Contact

Alumni Association of the College of Europe Ms Eleonora Wäktare, President Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée 14 1040 Brussels, Belgium E-mail: [email protected] More information: www.coleurope-alumni.eu

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