September 27, 2007
Queens, NY -
St. John’s University President, Rev. Donald J. Harrington,
C.M., celebrated the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul and gave thanks
for a peaceful resolution to yesterday’s incident with a gunman on
the Queens Campus.
Photo
Gallery
“God has preserved us. God has kept us safe,” said Rev.
Harrington, C.M., before an overflow crowd of more than 500
students, faculty, administrators, staff and local media
representatives at St. Thomas More Church today. “And we thank and
praise God for that very, very special blessing.”
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., also sent a letter of
commendation today expressing his thanks to members of the
University community who worked to keep the campus safe.
Immediately after the Mass, St. John’s University conducted a
press conference where Rev. Harrington, C.M., Dr. James P. Pellow,
Ed.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Thomas
Lawrence, Vice President for Public Safety and Joseph Tufano, Chief
Information Officer.
“We feel very blessed with the opportunity to go through an
exercise (implementing the University’s Emergency Response Plan)
under real situations that had the elements of doubt and
uncertainty leading to a positive outcome with no serious
injuries,” said Dr. Pellow.
Simultaneously, NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly held a press
conference in Manhattan this afternoon to honor St. John’s student
and NYPD cadet Christopher Benson for his heroic act in the
apprehension of the suspect.
Police
Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly Lauds St. John’s University Safety
Efforts
The University continued to encourage students to sign up for
its new “Text Messaging” system, and has more than tripled the
number of participants this week from 2,100 to 6,542. Four
locations on the Queens Campus offered kiosks and signup
opportunities conducted by the Office of Student Life.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Director of Media
Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185 or
e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
the latest news and information regarding St. John’s University
visit our web site at www.stjohns.edu.