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Basil Seggos
Basil Seggos to Receive Honorary Degree from SUNY ESF
Former New York State DEC commissioner honored at May 9 commencement
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — April 28, 2026 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will award an honorary degree to Basil Seggos, partner and senior policy director at Foley Hoag and the longest‑tenured commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in recognition of his national leadership on climate, energy and environmental policy. The honorary degree will be bestowed at commencement exercises 2 p.m., May 9 at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview.
Seggos is widely regarded for his role in shaping and implementing landmark environmental initiatives at the state and federal levels. From 2015 to 2024, he led the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, overseeing an agency of more than 3,300 staff and positioning New York as a global leader on climate action, clean energy and environmental protection. His work included protecting air, land and water resources, advancing climate resiliency, rebuilding water infrastructure and fostering a clean energy economy.
Seggos was instrumental in the passage of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and served as co-chair of the Climate Action Council. He also played a central role in designing and implementing major initiatives, including the $5.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the Clean Water Clean Air Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
“ESF is proud to honor Basil Seggos for a career marked by visionary leadership and an enduring commitment to environmental stewardship,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “His work advancing climate, energy and environmental policy, including transformative leadership at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, reflects the very best of science‑based public service. His legacy offers a powerful example for our students of how interdisciplinary knowledge and service can drive meaningful change.”
“I am sincerely honored to be able to address SUNY ESF’s Class of 2026 at their upcoming commencement ceremony and to share the moment with them in receiving an honorary degree,” said Seggos. “ESF is the premier environmentally-focused college in the country — the gem of the SUNY system — and it produces some of the finest and most accomplished professionals in the business.”
He continued, “In leading DEC for nearly a decade, I witnessed ESF alumni tackle countless, seemingly intractable environmental challenges. The legacy of New York’s clean air, water and natural resources has its home at this amazing institution. I look forward to celebrating the scholarly accomplishments of the Class of ‘26 as they embark into a world that will demand much of their experience, dedication and passion in the decades to come.”
In addition to his policy leadership, Seggos has led responses to natural and human-caused disasters, supported humanitarian efforts abroad and served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
To hear an in-depth conversation between President Mahoney and Seggos, check out their episode on the Campus Conversations podcast, season 6. "
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.