January 30, 2007
Queens, NY -
They represented different departments, and their research ran a
gamut of disciplines. But as the six newly elected Vincentian Research
Fellows took turns at the podium discussing their commitment to
the poor during yesterday’s Faculty Research Luncheon, they
collectively St. John’s University’s Vincentian Mission of respect
and compassion for the disadvantaged.
It therefore seemed fitting that solidarity was the theme of this
year’s luncheon, hosted annually by the St. John’s Vincentian Center for Church and
Society as a highlight of Founder’s Week. The
faculty luncheon tradition began in 2000 and each year honors a
newly elected class of St. John’s Vincentian Research Fellows,
singled out for their dedication to the Vincentian mission through
their academic pursuits.
“There is not a discipline in this room that doesn’t have
something to contribute to society,” Sister Margaret J. Kelly,
D.C., Executive Director of the Vincentian Center, said in her
opening address to the 100 faculty and administrators in
attendance. “We must continue to use our academic resources to
advance the Vincentian mission of the University."
One by one, the honored guests discussed the ways in which their
research embraced solidarity. They spoke of St. Vincent de Paul’s
dedication to protect children, the warped distribution of wealth
in Mexico City, the ways in which photography workshops can bring
joy to the terminally ill, the need to transport science into rural
America, Pope John Paul II’s commitment to eradicating global
poverty and the tumultuous state of education in Trinidad and
Tobago.
The lunch concluded with a Q and A session between the new
Fellows and other faculty members in attendance — many of whom were
formerly elected fellows themselves. Following the event, the
attendees were invited to mingle and take in an adjoining art
exhibit titled Heritage and Vision, chronicling the
history of the Vincentian mission and created last year by faculty
and students within the Department
of Fine Arts.
Many of the attendees were excited to speak about the event.
“The luncheon was a great opportunity to bring faculty together to
focus on the great contributions they can make to mission,” said Rev. Michael J.
Carroll, C.M., Executive Vice President for Mission and Branch
Campuses, mentioning Pope John Paul II’s 1984 call to the
Vincentian community to research the causes of poverty. “A small
group of fellows [honored at the luncheon] can really motivate all
faculty to become involved,” said Father Carroll.
“It was wonderful to get a better idea of what makes us
Vincentian,” added Clover Hall, Vice President of Academic Planning
and Institutional Research. “To hear a panel of faculty that cheers
a common Vincentian vision gives me the inspiration to share those
same ideals.”
The Following Faculty Members Were Honored as Vincentian
Research Fellows:
Sue Marie Ford
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ph.D. from Michigan State University
Hometown: Utica, NY
Research Interest: science and the Vincentian tradition
“I value the opportunity to work with colleagues representing
diverse disciplines in the examination of global scientific issues
from a variety of perspectives. The fellowship enhances my teaching
by bringing into sharper focus the Vincentian values which infuse
our students’ experience at St. John’s.”
Marc E. Gillespie
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ph.D. from the University of Utah
Hometown: Huntington, NY; (born in Queens)
Research interests: bioinformatics, toxicogenomics, the development
of proteomic screens to identify protein networks affected by
toxicants, drugs or novel peptides
“The Vincentian Fellowship reminds me that my commitment to
research and scholarship is really a commitment to people. I am
bound by being a teacher to help others and to be a really good
teacher, and I must remember how little I know and how much I have
to learn.”
Theresa A. Hughes
Assistant Professor of Law
J.D. from City University of New York, School of Law
Hometown: New York City
Research Interests: juvenile justice, child welfare, parental
rights, professionalism
“I welcome the Vincentian Research Fellowship with great
responsibility and humility, recognizing that each day brings new
opportunity to inspire students, fight for justice for children and
give of myself to make the community a better place.”
Belenna M. Lauto
Associate Professor of Fine Arts
B.F.A. from St. John’s; M.A. from New York University
Hometown: Hicksville, NY; (born in Cuba)
Research interest: photo documentation
“This appointment has inspired me to think more thoroughly about
how my work and the work of my students will affect others. I
believe that as a Christian artist, it is my responsibility to
embark on projects that inspire us to appreciate the dignity of
life and the beauty of humanity. As a fellow, this now becomes a
direct responsibility.”
Jaime E. Rodriguez
Assistant Professor of Social Sciences, College of Professional
Studies
Ph.D. from Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences
Hometown: Walla Walla, WA
Research interests: cities, migration and poverty in Latin
America
“The honor of being a Vincentian scholar means that I will be able
to link my research activities to the greater mission of Vincentian
service and social justice.”
James W. Thompson
Professor of Accounting
Ed.D. from Columbia University, Teachers College
Hometown: Long Island
Research Interests: various topics within financial accounting and
reporting, parish financial management
“Thanks to the Vincentian Center, I have been privileged to work on
pastors’ programs which help to raise the awareness of parish
clergy to the necessity of good financial management and control
procedures. My appointment as a Vincentian Fellow brings focus to
my commitment to assist the Vincentian Center and promote its
programs by any means available to me.”