October 04, 2007
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., Presents
President’s Medals for Valor to Benson, Boylan
St. John’s President, Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., joined the University community today in
honoring NYPD student cadet Christopher Benson and public safety
officer Dan Boylan for their acts of bravery in apprehending a
gunman at the Queens Campus on September 26. The two heroes were
presented with the President’s Medal (one of the highest honors
given by St. John’s), awarded to an individual who has achieved
exceptional personal and professional success, and/or rendered
outstanding service to the University or society.
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Rev. Harrington, C.M., praised the quick actions of both men for
having the foresight to react instinctively amid a time of anxiety
and uncertainty.
“My friends, let us learn from this moment. May we be a stronger
University for this experience,” said Rev. Harrington, C.M., before
a throng of more than 500 students, faculty, administrators and
staff gathered on the school’s Great Lawn this afternoon. “Let us
understand clearly how precious the gift that life is and our
responsibility to be peacemakers on our campus and in our world.
Dan and Chris acted selflessly and courageously to protect life and
to preserve peace and for that we are forever grateful.”
Benson and Boylan’s chance meeting has created a unique bond,
not only as civil servants, but friends forever linked by a fixed
moment in time. And, almost to a fault, they are both unassuming
and perplexed by their new found fame and appreciative of the
University gathering on this day in their honor.
“We’re kind of shocked with all the attention and the press
we’re getting for our 15 minutes of fame,” said Benson, a junior
criminal justice major from Whitestone, NY. “We worked together
really well and knew each others actions without ever having to say
a word.”
Boylan, a veteran of the NYPD for more than 25 years and a St.
John’s public safety officer for more than nine years from West
Hempstead, NY, was humbled by the University turnout for the
event.
“I am so grateful to Rev. Harrington and the University for this
wonderful honor and, I think, I may be the first public safety
officer ever to receive the President’s Medal,” said Boylan
proudly.
Also cited at the event were the efforts of St. John’s Vice
President for Public Safety, Thomas Lawrence and his staff for
their protection and guidance, not only on the afternoon of
September 26, but each and every day in tending to the safety of
the entire St. John’s community.
VIP’s on hand to join in the celebration with Rev. Harrington,
C.M., were New York State Deputy Secretary for Public Safety,
Michael Balboni, New York State Assembly member Rory Lancman and
New York City Council member James Gennaro. After the formal
ceremony, Lancman and Gennaro both presented Benson and Boylan with
commemorative plagues from their constituencies in appreciation of
their heroics and acts of bravery.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Director of Media
Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185 or
e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.