June 22, 2011
A
special Convocation Ceremony was held on June 15, 2011 in the Saval
Auditorium of St. John’s University’s Manhattan Campus honoring
Ellen Thrower, Ph.D., recently retired Executive Director of the
University’s School of Risk Management and Actuarial Science
(SRM).
An Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree was conferred
upon Dr. Thrower by Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of
St. John's University in honor of her outstanding service to the
University.
“Ellen Thrower deserves this wonderful recognition. What a
superb, substantial job she has done over some 12 years at the helm
of The College of Insurance that 10 years ago became today’s School
of Risk Management -- a proud pillar of the Tobin College of
Business and a solid stanchion in St. John’s University’s overall
structure,” said Brandon Sweitzer, Interim Executive Director and
former Chairman of the SRM Board of Overseers.
Sweitzer has been named new Dean of the School of Risk
Management, effective July 1, 2011.
“Twenty-two years of leadership at any institution --is a
noteworthy accomplishment. (She guided) SRM into a rightful place
as one of the foremost Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial
Science programs in the nation … a tribute to her skill and pride
in her work,” he added.
Dr. Ellen Thrower, a Professor of Risk Management and Insurance
at St. John’s University recently retired as Executive Director of
the School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science
(SRM), where she served since 2001. She was President of The
College of Insurance from June 1988 until June 2001, at which time
the College merged with St. John’s University and was renamed The
School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science.
In June 2001 Dr. Thrower was awarded the title, President Emerita
of The College of Insurance.
“Ellen Thrower, whom we honor today, saw the great need for the
College of Insurance and its distinctive role in the Insurance
Industry. With great openness they set out on a bold path of
seeking a University partner, seeing clearly that their future
would be strongest if they were part of a major University,” said
Rev. Harrington, C.M. “I have no hesitation saying that we would
not have been successful without the sacrifice and the vision of
this special academic leader.
Approximately 80 guests were in attendance and included members
of the SRM Board of Overseers, retired College of Insurance and SRM
Board members as well as current SRM administrators, staff and
faculty. Also giving well wishes and participating in the ceremony
were:
• Mr. Peter D’Angelo, St. John’s University Board of
Trustees
• Mrs. Mary Tobin, St. John’s University Board of
Trustees
• Mr. Peter Tobin, St. John’s University Board of
Governors
A celebratory dinner was hosted for special guests at the
Ritz-Carlton Battery Park following the ceremony.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice
President for Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling
(718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.