December 01, 2006
The Office of Institutional Advancement, Staten Island campus
welcomed Councilman Michael E. McMahon on Wednesday, November 29 as
he honored the Indian community of Staten Island in “Lighting the
Way”.
The event took place in the Kelleher Center Presidential room
and more than 120 people were in attendance, including members of
the Staten Island Indian community and the St. John’s
community.
Vice Provost Sharon Lynch Norton said “It truly personified the
collaboration that is the Staten Island campus hallmark of success
- academics, ministry, development, and students working
together.”
Dr. Basilio Monteiro, one of our distinguished faculty members
attended the event, as well as Father Biju Chittuaraman, C.M. the
campus chaplain on Staten Island.
Father “B”, as he was fondly referred to that evening, is a native
of India and spoke at the event. He compared his time and
experience here on the Staten Island campus, as well as the campus
itself, of being representative of one of the beautiful lights of
Diwali. Members of the Staten Island student body were also in
attendance and Councilman McMahon was gracious in his words of
thanks to them for their involvement and support during the
evening.
The program consisted of several performances, including
traditional Indian dance as well as a theatrical performance.
Additionally, Councilman McMahon honored three distinguished
members of the Staten Island Indian community; Dr. John Abraham,
Dr. Luis Miranda, and Gurdev Singh Kang. All three honorees
have been a success in both their personal and professional lives,
giving back to the Staten Island community in tremendous
ways. The councilman was grateful to St. John’s University
for opening its arms and welcoming him to the Staten Island
campus.
“Lighting the Way” celebrated the Diwali Festival of Lights,
which is the single most important holiday for more than one
billion Hindus worldwide. It is know as the “Festival of Lights”
because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small
earthenware oil lamps called diyas. The lamps are placed in
rows in windows, doors and outside buildings to decorate
them. Councilman McMahon said, “Together, as one community of
Staten Island, we share in this Festival of Lights, a celebration
of Good over Evil, Knowledge over Ignorance and Light over
Darkness, so that we make not only our own happiness but that of
the world at large”.