January 25, 2006
St. John’s is celebrating the founding of the University in the
Vincentian tradition with Founder’s Week ceremonies
and special events beginning on January 24 and running through
January 31. All events are free-of-charge. A University-wide Vincentian
Convocation, on Thursday, January 26 at 8 p.m. in St. Thomas
More Church on the Queens campus, is the main event to which the
entire St. John’s community is invited. That evening, His
Excellency Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the
Holy See to the United Nations, will receive the Doctor of Laws
degree and deliver the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture.
In addition, University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.,
will bestow several prestigious awards:
Vincentian Mission Award
For a long-term St. John’s employee who embodies the Vincentian
Mission’s principles in her personal and professional life - to
Sharon Lynch Norton, ’74L, Associate Dean, Criminal Justice and
Legal Studies
Caritas Medal
For community service - to Gladys and Bruce Brown, civic leaders,
faithful members of St. Pascal Baylon Roman Catholic Church, and
justice advocates who started a foundation in memory of their late
daughter-in-law to promote asthma awareness;
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Medal
For an outstanding Catholic lay woman who embodies the values and
vision of Mother Seton - to Marilyn A. Martone, Ph.D., ’86G,
Associate Professor, Theology and Religious Studies;
St. Vincent de Paul Medal
For an outstanding Catholic layman who embodies in his life the
values of St. Vincent de Paul - Robert A. Mangione, ’77P, ’79GP,
’93PD, ’99Ed.D, Dean, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions;
President’s Medal
Person who has rendered outstanding service to the University or to
society - to Sr. Madeline Kavanagh, D.C., St. John the Baptist R.C.
Parish, Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, who directs the St. John’s
Mobile Soup Kitchen.
Special Events All Week Long
In addition to ceremonies and recognition masses on St. John’s
campuses, there’s an assortment of lectures, films, breakfasts,
luncheons and dinners, and a theatrical performance on the Queens
campus. There are also numerous service opportunities throughout
the week. View the Calendar of Events for dates, time and location
of all events. The events are designed to recognize the efforts of
many within the University—students, faculty and staff—who give of
their time and talents to good works in the spirit of the
Vincentian Mission—as well as to acknowledge the contributions of
others in the larger community.
These thought-provoking programs are expected to spark
discussion about the principles of social advocacy for the poor and
disenfranchised embodied by St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660),
founder of the Congregation of the Mission, as the importance of
serving others continues to guide St. John’s University, says Pam
Shea Byrnes, Associate Vice President, University Ministry.
A film and a theatrical performance by a professional company
are two special events on the Queens campus that are open to the
public.
The film, “Nicholas’ Gift:
The Courage to Give the Gift of Life,” will be aired on Monday,
January 30 at 4:45 p.m., at St. Thomas More Church, on the Queens
campus. The film tells the story of the gift of organ donation made
by Nicholas’ parents of his organs after his untimely death. The
father of the deceased boy is flying in from California to
introduce the film. Alumna Margaret Brown will discuss organ
donation after the film, and attendees will have the opportunity to
sign up for New York’s program.
A theatrical presentation, “Portraits of
Courage: African Americans You Wish You’d Known,” will be
performed by Admire Entertainment Company, on Tuesday, January 31,
7-8:15 p.m., at the Little Theatre, Queens Campus.
Recognizing Others’ Efforts
Commenting about the importance of Founder’s Week is Rev. Tri
Duong, C.M., who accompanies St. John’s students, faculty and staff
to Brooklyn on Fridays, where they serve lunch to the needy at St.
John the Baptist R.C. Parish’s Soup Kitchen. “Too many people
in our society today think only of themselves,” he says. “That’s
why it’s important to recognize the efforts of those in our
community who serve others.”
On the Queens campus, Wednesday, January 25, 12:15 p.m., at the
Founder’s
Mass and Recognition on the Queens campus, 225 people will be
recognized for their good works: 186 are students, and 39 are
employees. View the list.
On the Staten Island campus, Thursday, January 26, 12:15 p.m.,
Founder’s
Week Liturgy will take place at the Presidential Room in the
Kelleher Center, followed by a Recognition
Luncheon. Awards are being presented to a select group of
students, faculty and staff, and to one student organization, the
Executive Board of the Storm Front newspaper, for successfully
reviving the student newspaper this year, says Sr. Joan Mahoney,
Congregation de Notre Dame. “In the span of just three months, the
Storm Front staff has published three issues of the newspaper,
bringing back a much needed voice to the students of the
University,” says Nicholas Legakis, Assistant Director of Alumni
Relations, who nominated the newspaper board.
Receiving awards at Founder’s Day ceremonies on the Staten
Island campus:
- Deborah Greh, Professor of Communications, Journalism and Media
Studies;
- Jason Velazquez, Administrator, University Ministry;
- Daniel Aniello, Assistant Director of Residence Life;
- Paulette Hughes, Part-Time Faculty, Office of Special
Programs;
- Patricia Isola, Staff Member, Office of Special Programs;
- Joyce D’Amodio, Staff Member, St. John’s College
- Students:
- Marla Fillipatos, sophomore, an active member of the St.
Vincent de Paul Society;
- Mecca White, founder of Caution Dance Team on campus;
- Kola Fatoki, freshman, a volunteer at Lily Pond Nursing
Home;
- Justin LiGreci, founder of Justin LiGreci HIV and AIDS
Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to empowering
adolescents to address the challenge of HIV and AIDS;
- Owen Healy, a theology major who served in communications with
the marines in Iraq and now is back on campus;
- Jason Ciarlante, a legal studies senior, an advocate for a bill
to make it easier to seek an order of protection against a
non-family member in New York State; and
- Lauren Profeta, a committed Catholic student, for her research
on a proposed federal law involving the rights of the unborn.
Ceremonies in Rome, Manhattan and
Oakdale
On Thursday, January 26, students on the Rome campus will have the
opportunity to visit the Casa Generalizia for a Founder’s Mass
and Luncheon at which the Very Rev. G. Gregory Gay, C.M.,
Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, will
speak.
The Manhattan campus roster of activities includes two movie
nights followed by discussion on Wednesday,
January 25, and Friday, January
27, at 7:30 p.m.; a volunteer
internship opportunities fair on Monday, January 30; and a closing
dinner on Tuesday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. (Opening mass and
reception was held on Tuesday.)
At the Graduate Student Center at St. John’s Oakdale (Long
Island) location, a Founder’s
Mass and Luncheon will take place on Monday, January 30, at
noon. That evening, 6 - 7 p.m., Rev. Michael Callaghan, C.M.,
Associate Professor, Humanities, College of Professional Studies,
will speak about “Professional
Courage, a Vincentian Model.” Elizabeth Pollicino, Ed.D.,
Associate Director of the Library Science Program, will serve as
the moderator.