In 1992 Dr. Mike O'Connor was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Science degree from Queen's University for his pioneering work in geo-environmental engineering.  As the founder of Canada's first geo-environmental consulting company, O'Connor Associates Environmental Inc.. He gained international recognition for developing innovative clean-up technologies for petroleum and chemical spills, and has published extensively. He is a practitioner who has not only achieved excellence himself at the highest level of his profession, but has also, at every stage, continued to support education. This has been done through awards, summer jobs, contributions of his time and energy as the first ever Mentor in Residence at Queen's University, and annual lectures to engineering students on the value of common sense and creativity in engineering endeavors.