May 14, 2012
Saying the experience was “as good as it gets,” Steve Lavin, St. John’s men’s basketball coach, addressed more than 3,000 new graduates at the University’s two Commencement Exercises this weekend, held at the Staten Island campus on Saturday, May 12, and at the Queens campus on Sunday, May 13.
The Staten Island Commencement saw 264 graduates receive their degrees, while close to 3,000 walked across the stage at the Queens campus. Bright, blue skies made for perfect weather conditions to end St. John’s University’s 142nd academic year.
During Commencement, the Very Rev. Perry Henry, C.M., D.Min., provincial superior of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission in the USA, received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology, honoris causa. Patricia Ann Norris McDonald, mayor of Malverne, NY, was awarded the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal. William L. Collins ’76C, a member of St. John’s Board of Trustees, received the degree of Doctor of Commercial Science, honoris causa.
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University, presided over both ceremonies and praised the honorees at the Queens campus exercises.
“Today is one of my favorite days of the year, when we celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Fr. Harrington. “And I have to say that, in my 23 years as President, each year I’m more proud of the students who walk across that stage. I can’t help but reflect on how they’ve had such a great impact on our University — and now will have a great impact on our world.”
Coach Lavin fashioned his addresses as “pep talks” to the graduates, similar to those he offers during locker room sessions with his team. Determined not to duplicate his efforts, he delivered a fresh speech to graduates, their families and friends at each campus.
“Although you’ve come to the finish line to celebrate your graduation from St. John’s, there’s also new hope and a fresh start on the horizon,” Lavin said before 2,500 attendees at Staten Island. “Now you can strive to be at your best when your best is needed. I call that competitive greatness.”
At Queens, Lavin addressed an overflow crowd estimated at 19,000, which stretched the entire length of the Great Lawn on the University’s main campus.
“There are no short cuts,” said Lavin. “Cancer has taught me about humility and the ability to bounce back. Life is precious and fragile. Don’t take it for granted. You can take pride in knowing that you’ve prepared at St. John’s for the challenges ahead, and you’re capable of striving for excellence and blazing your own trail as St. Vincent de Paul did.” Diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Lavin is now free of the disease.
This year’s Commencement honorees have diverse backgrounds. Yet all serve as role models in their respective careers while giving back with heartfelt service to their communities.
“We always try as best we can to choose honorees who, in a sense, don’t need to be honored,” noted Fr. Harrington. “They’ve already accomplished so much by themselves, but these individuals can be role models for our students, for their families and for us. Our students can look at these honorees and say, maybe someday (that can be me).”
Before being appointed provincial superior of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission in the USA, Fr. Henry was assistant provincial of the Southern Province (2004-2008). He also is former pastor of St. Joseph Parish in New Orleans. He served on DePaul University’s Board of Trustees from 1995 to 2000.
Like Mother Seton, Mayor Patricia Ann Norris McDonald exemplifies the grace, faith and courage of wives and mothers who lead remarkable lives. Her husband, Steven, is a former New York City police officer who was paralyzed in 1986 from a gunshot wound suffered in the line of duty. Patricia and her husband overcame this tragedy to launch a worldwide crusade for peace and forgiveness.
Trustee William L. Collins ’76C is founder, CEO and chief investment officer of Brencourt Advisors, LLC. Since 2001, the company has been engaged in fund management on a global basis, as well as investment strategies for the firm dealing with merger arbitrage, credit opportunities and event-driven activities. Collins, a St. John’s alumnus, has served as Dinner Co-Chair with his wife, Lesley, for the University’s annual President’s Dinner.
In a fitting close to each ceremony, the student addresses were delivered by Vincent Innocente ’12CPS (Staten Island) and Jordan Powell ’12CPS (Queens).
Innocente had the full attention of his fellow graduates and peers at the Staten Island campus, as he quoted the song “We Are Young,” by the American indie pop band Fun. Drawing cheers from the crowds, Innocente said, “’Tonight, we are young. So let’s set the world on fire — we can burn brighter than the sun.’”
At the Queens campus, Powell brought his comments to a crescendo when he declared that the current economic plight will not detour the Class of 2012. “Every generation has to find the capacity to respond to the challenges of its day,” he said, evoking former President John F. Kennedy. “When we leave here, we’re going to search for work in one of the worst economies since the Great Depression. We’ll work in an increasingly globalized marketplace and realize that we will have to compete like never before. I see no better place to have prepared for this challenge than St. John’s University.”