May 13, 2007
Queens, N.Y. -
Talk to 2007 Graduates Focuses on Solidarity and Love in
Ever Changing World
Amid bright sunshine, pomp and circumstance the 137th St. John’s
Commencement Exercises convened before more than 19,000 on the
Great Lawn of the University’s Queens Campus. George
Stephanopoulos, ABC Chief Washington Correspondent, delivered
the 2007 Commencement Address and spoke of solidarity and love as
the cornerstone of hope for future generations.
“As Pope Benedict
(XVI) said this week on his mission to Brazil, ‘when people are
living in need we must help, as the first Christian communities
did, by practicing solidarity and making them feel truly loved,’”
Stephanopoulos said. “Solidarity and love are needed more than ever
in a world that confounds us with contradictions and confronts us
with the challenge of living with its paradoxes. Stand for ideal.
Act against injustice. Make this your world. Make it better.”
Stephanopoulos
shared the stage on this day with his father, Rev. Robert G.
Stephanopoulos, Ph.D., a Greek Orthodox priest and 20-year theology
professor at St. John’s University. Rev. Stephanopoulos received an
Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology Degree and George, in front of
his father and mother, Nikki (appropriately on Mother’s Day),
shared a dream his two parents had for him upon entering college
several years ago.
“About 25 years ago I promised my parents that I would go to Law
School and I never made it – but today I finally got the degree (an
Honorary Doctor of Laws) from St. John’s. I want to thank the
University and fellow graduates of the Class of 2007. You have no
idea how much I owe you.”
Rev. Donald
J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University, also
conferred an honorary degree to Dr. Norman C. Francis, President of
Xavier University of Louisiana (Honorary Doctor of Laws), and
Patricia Shea, Executive Director and Founder of MOMMAS House,
received the President’s Medal.
“I thank all of our honorees for standing before our graduates
today as role models who have each, in your own way, had such an
impact on our nation and on our world,” Rev. Harrington, C.M.
said.
At a media event after acceptance of his honorary degree, Rev.
Stephanopoulos lamented about his fondness of St. John’s
University. “I am grateful for the privilege being granted to both
George and I from St. John’s University, which I consider to be an
excellent school,” he said. “We are humbled by the recognition
given to both of us today.”
David Hadizadeh, of St. John's College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, gave the student address before a record 2,577 St.
John’s undergraduate and graduate students who were receiving their
degrees.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Director of Media
Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185; cell
(917) 374-8266 or e-mailing inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
information about St. John’s visit the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.