UIW Celebrates Earth Day and Presents 2026 William Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship

In 2015, Pope Francis published the Laudato Si' encyclical, which "builds on millennia of scripture and Catholic teaching about our relationship with God's creation" (laudatosiactionplatform.org). Inspired by this work, the Laudato Si' Action Platform was formed to provide "concrete resources to protect our common home, in operational partnership with the Laudato Si' Movement."

In 2022, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) officially joined the late Pope Francis' efforts addressing global warming, continuing to make intentional decisions that promote environmental conservation and enrichment.

On Wednesday, April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the UIW Earth Month Committee hosted the 2026 Earth Day Fair on the Broadway Campus. The event welcomed departmental, student-led, non-profit and community organizations to showcase practices that raise awareness for ecological and environmental stewardship at UIW.

Additionally, the 2026 William Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship was presented to this year's honored recipient. Since 2007, this award presented in honor of the dedication and leadership shown by Grounds Superintendent William "Bill" Mulcahy. This award recognizes students, faculty and staff who have exemplified Bill's commitment to ecological conservation and care of Creation.

This year's honored recipient is Robert Slater, MD, MPH, associate professor of Family Medicine at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM).

"I'm delighted to announce that the 2026 Mulcahy award goes to Robert Slater," shared John Hooker, Environmental Science associate professor and director of the UIW Sustainability Advisory Board. "Slater puts UIW Mission into action."

Hooker's notable highlights of Slater's work included providing medical care to impoverished communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, studying nutritional barriers and food insecurity in the Rio Grande Valley and the impacts of language barriers on health outcomes in Hispanic communities, researching malnourishment interventions in Ghana and more. Additionally, Slater has served as a faculty advisor to the UIWSOM community gardens committee.

Hooker quoted Slater's nomination letter, sharing how his colleague referred to him as an "influential voice at UIWSOM. He has successfully recruited staff, faculty and students to join him in these efforts without fanfare or seeking to be noticed. Slater exemplifies the truism that it is sometimes the quietest voices going about doing good quietly that truly speak the loudest and have the largest impact."

Slater gladly accepted his award in front of his beloved UIW community wearing a humble smile as he lifted the award for all to see.

"Receiving the 2026 Mulcahy Award affirmed the progress that UIWSOM has made towards ecological sustainability so far, and it further encourages expanded efforts in recycling, composting, renewable energy and environmental health in the curriculum," expressed Slater. "I am continually grateful to be part of an institution that actively supports these endeavors, and excited for opportunities for collaboration beyond UIWSOM!"