Faculty Convocation Honors St. John’s University Educators For Their Longevity, Accomplishments In Academia

September 02, 2009

St. John's begins its 140th academic year on September 2 as students, faculty, administration and staff gather for the long-awaited start to the new semester at the University's Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Oakdale campuses in New York as well as study abroad graduate and undergraduate curriculum in Rome, Italy and Paris, France.

Photo Gallery

On September 1, the Queens campus held its annual Faculty Convocation in Taffner Field House prior to the start of the school year to honor those educators who have reached 30, 40 and 50-year milestones at St. John's in their respective fields of study.

Associate Academic Dean and Adjunct Professor, Andrew J. Simons, Esq. ‘65L was also honored with the St. John's University President's Medal – given to an individual who has achieved exceptional personal and professional success, and/or rendered outstanding service to the University or society.

Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John's University, presided over the convocation and celebrated the fine achievements of these accomplished professionals. The honorees included:

30-years of service

40-years of service

  • Diane M. Himmelbaum, Department of Fine Arts
  • Cesar A. Lau-Cam, Ph.D., Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Barbara L. Morris, Ed.D. ‘69Ed, Division of English and Speech
  • Harry L. Nagel, Ph.D., Department of Computer Information Systems and Decision Sciences
  • Ino Rossi, Ph.D., Department of Sociology and Anthropology
  • Denis F. Sullivan, Ph.D. ‘66C, Department of Philosophy
  • Paul S. Szabo, J.D. ‘60Ed, ‘67G, Division of Computer Science, Mathematics and Science

50-years of service

  • John J. Brennan, Ph.D., Department of History

Andrew J. Simons, who received the prestigious President's Medal, served as Acting Dean of the St. John's University School of Law after the death of Mary C. Daly last November. He has since accepted a new opportunity this summer to serve as Vice Dean Emeritus of the School of Law, reporting to the University's Provost, and continuing his long and distinguished career as a vibrant and vital member of St. John's University School of Law.

In addition, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, joined honorees at a post-convocation reception in Taffner Field House to close the evenings festivities. Archbishop Migliore was the guest of honoree Frank Cantelmo, whose expertise in his chosen field led to his appointment as an environmental advisor to the Holy See Mission at the United Nations.

For more news, events and up-to-minute information regarding St. John's visit the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.