Produced by: Office of Media Relations
June 10, 2013
Marking its 17th year in the Eternal City, St. John’s University celebrated Commencement Exercises at its international campus in Rome, Italy, on June 9.
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s, presided over the ceremony, honoring Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, S.T.D., D.D., with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his global vision and dedication to the Church. Cardinal O’Brien was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012.
“I can fondly remember our first graduation ceremony in Rome in 1997,” said Fr. Harrington. “As I retire from the presidency after 24 years, I’m reminded of our transformation to a global University and just how far we’ve come. It is equally exciting to welcome Cardinal O’Brien as an honorary alumnus to our community as we introduce our students to his life’s work as a role model in the spirit of our founder, St. Vincent de Paul.”
Fr. Harrington conferred degrees upon 30 graduates of the Class of 2013. A total of 42 degrees were awarded this year (January, June and September 2013): 12 M.A. degrees in Global Development and Social Justice; 18 M.A. degrees in Government and Politics; and 12 M.B.A. degrees.
“The St. John’s University diploma gives testimony not only to our student’s professional expertise, but also to their firm commitment to support and serve those in need,” Fr. Harrington added. “May they share the knowledge of their educations—whether in Business, International Relations or Global Development and Social Justice—with those who are in greatest need throughout the world.”
St. John’s presence in Rome dates back to 1995, when the first campus location debuted at via Santa Maria Mediatrice, 24, near the Vatican.
In October 2008, St. John’s University dedicated and blessed its new campus in Rome, a four-story, 75,000-square-foot structure that houses 13 classrooms, 200 resident beds, a chapel, courtyard and administrative offices. The campus is owned by the Vincentian community of priests and brothers, the same faith-based community which founded St. John’s in 1870.
The University also has three residential New York City campuses (Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan); an Oakdale, NY, campus; and a study abroad location in Paris, France.