Rev. James J. Maher, C.M. '84C was awarded the Pietas Medal of
St. John’s University at the 28th Annual Alumni Convocation on
Friday, May 29, 2009.
Fr. Maher received his B.A. in Sociology from St. John’s College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1984 and six years later was
ordained as a Vincentian priest.
After a period of community service and social action
initiatives, Fr. Maher returned to alma mater where he has
served loyally and effectively for almost two decades. He
began as a chaplain and then became Vice President for Campus
Ministry before moving to his current post as Vice President for
Student Affairs and Executive Director of the newly created
Vincentian Institute for Social Action.
He serves on the University’s Executive Planning Committee,
President’s Cabinet, and the Board of St. John’s Bread and Life and
provides invaluable assistance to other University-wide initiatives
as well.
“It’s really a great privilege to receive this award,” said Fr.
Maher. “What we honorees feel is that we owe so much to St.
John’s, and so to be recognized for our accomplishments isn’t
really about us, but about the great spirit of St. John’s.”
The Pietas Medal is a singular honor reserved for alumni who
have demonstrated loyalty, fidelity and devotion to alma
mater in a multitude of ways.