Stephanopoulos Inspires Crowd
Christina Heiser, News Editor
Issue date: 6/23/07Section: News
St. John's University's class of 2007, along with family and friends, celebrated Commencement on May 13. The graduating class included 2,577 students graduating with either undergraduate or graduate degrees.
The event began at 1:30 p.m. with the procession of graduates. "Our graduates have worked hard and today that hard work bears wonderful fruit," said Rev. Donald Harrington, president of St. John's University.
During the ceremony, many individuals were awarded for their outstanding work, including Patricia Shea, who earned the President's Medal for her efforts in founding MOMMAS House. According to Provost Dr. Julia Upton, the work Shea put in to founding MOMMAS House showcases her "compassionate concern for young women with nowhere else to turn."
Reverend Robert Stephanopoulos, professor of theology at St. John's for 20 years, as well as a Greek Orthodox priest, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree, while Dr. Normand Francis, president of Xavier University, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
George Stephanopoulos, the keynote speaker at the ceremony, also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. "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 from St. John's," he said.
Stephanopoulos applauded students who had to overcome many hardships on their way to graduation. "It's humbling for me to stand before a class filled with so many people who have struggled against the odds; without the resources that so many others take for granted, to be here today," he said.
Stephanopoulos spoke about the influence that his father had on him. "He's kind, but tough in the best possible way," he noted. "He taught me the importance of faith and family and community, inspired me to serve, insisted on excellence."
It was his parents, in fact, who first sparked his interest in politics. "One gift I received from both of my parents is the love of politics," said Stephanopoulos. "I know that does seem like a big leap from the priesthood; as Father Harrington said I didn't follow in my father's footsteps. But we are Greek, and we Greeks like to think we invented politics."
The event began at 1:30 p.m. with the procession of graduates. "Our graduates have worked hard and today that hard work bears wonderful fruit," said Rev. Donald Harrington, president of St. John's University.
During the ceremony, many individuals were awarded for their outstanding work, including Patricia Shea, who earned the President's Medal for her efforts in founding MOMMAS House. According to Provost Dr. Julia Upton, the work Shea put in to founding MOMMAS House showcases her "compassionate concern for young women with nowhere else to turn."
Reverend Robert Stephanopoulos, professor of theology at St. John's for 20 years, as well as a Greek Orthodox priest, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree, while Dr. Normand Francis, president of Xavier University, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
George Stephanopoulos, the keynote speaker at the ceremony, also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. "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 from St. John's," he said.
Stephanopoulos applauded students who had to overcome many hardships on their way to graduation. "It's humbling for me to stand before a class filled with so many people who have struggled against the odds; without the resources that so many others take for granted, to be here today," he said.
Stephanopoulos spoke about the influence that his father had on him. "He's kind, but tough in the best possible way," he noted. "He taught me the importance of faith and family and community, inspired me to serve, insisted on excellence."
It was his parents, in fact, who first sparked his interest in politics. "One gift I received from both of my parents is the love of politics," said Stephanopoulos. "I know that does seem like a big leap from the priesthood; as Father Harrington said I didn't follow in my father's footsteps. But we are Greek, and we Greeks like to think we invented politics."
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