Annual Founder's Week Celebration Focuses on Justice and Compassion

Produced by: the Office of Marketing and Communications

October 1, 2013

Focusing on the role that education plays in helping to alleviate suffering around the world, St. John's University celebrated its 20th annual Founder's Week (September 21–27) with exhibits, lectures, Mass, and service activities centered on the theme "Be Vincentian: Compassion without Limits; Justice across Borders."

The week’s highlight was the annual Vincentian Convocation in Bent Hall on the Queens campus—the first attended by Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., the University's new president. Rev. John E. Rybolt, C.M., an author and scholar in residence at DePaul University, delivered the Convocation’s annual Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture.

Founder's Week offers St. John’s students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to reflect on the University’s Vincentian and Catholic mission. Highlights included a presentation by buildOn founder and author Jim Ziolkowski; a discussion on the stained glass windows of St. Thomas More Church; and the annual Faculty Research Luncheon, featuring a panel discussion on microfinance in post-conflict settings.

Addressing luncheon attendees, Dr. Gempesaw noted the relationship between academics and mission at the University. “Our teaching informs our research and our research informs our teaching,” he said. “At St. John's, we take that to the next level—our research and teaching inform our service.” 

“This year's theme urges us to be like St. Vincent de Paul, offering compassion without limits and justice across borders, whether they be psychological, national, religious, or class-based,” noted Sr. Margaret John Kelly, D.C., executive director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society.

At the Vincentian Convocation, Dr. Gempesaw praised this year’s honorees as models of Vincentian compassion. “We are inspired,” he said, “by their steadfast commitment to help those most in need.” The following awards were presented:

  • Vincentian Mission Award: Linda M. Sama, Ph.D., Joseph F. Adams Professor of Management and dean of global initiatives, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
  • Caritas Medal: Sr. Joan Dawber, S.C., executive director, LifeWay Network, which combats human trafficking.
  • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal: Susan Gordan Ryan ’71Ed, whose dedication to disabled children recalls the spirit of the first American-born saint.
  • St. Vincent de Paul Medal: Jean B. Tropnas, M.D., who has led efforts to assist the Haitian community.

The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Fr. Rybolt. Delivering the Convocation’s keynote lecture, “Vincentian Social Justice,” he noted that “Vincent was a Roman Catholic priest, devoted to the Church, its prayer life, and institutions—ready to evangelize everywhere, even in distant parts of the world” while rallying people to the cause of charity.

The Staten Island campus also hosted Founder’s Week activities, including a community-building initiative called “Stories We Carry” that brought civilians and veterans together to discuss the impact of war.

Capping off Founder's Week was University Service Day, on September 27. At the Queens campus, more than 2,000 students signed up to volunteer in neighboring communities, as did 110 at Staten Island; 50 at Rome, Paris, and Seville; and 10 at Oakdale. Twenty members of the Bridgeport, CT, and Phoenix, AZ, alumni chapters also participated. Dr. Gempesaw engaged in service at the children’s ward of St. Mary’s Hospital, Queens.

Helping others is an especially important part of Founder’s Week, said Sr. Kelly. “A glance at newspapers and an honest consideration of current events reveals all kinds of suffering on a global and local level,” she noted. “This year’s theme asks us to be attentive and sensitive to the suffering around us, and to respond actively, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul."