In June St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. conferred a Doctor of Commercial Science degree, honoris causa, upon Ellen Thrower, Ph.D., who recently retired as Executive Director of the University’s School of Risk Management and Actuarial Science (SRM). The degree was conferred at a special Convocation Ceremony in the Saval Auditorium of St. John’s University’s Manhattan Campus. “Ellen Thrower saw the great need for the College of Insurance and its distinctive role in the insurance industry,” said Fr. Harrington. “I have no hesitation saying that we would not have been successful without the sacrifice and the vision of this special academic leader.”Dr. Thrower was President of The College of Insurance from June 1988 until June 2001, at which time the College merged with St. John’s University and was renamed The School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science. At the time of the merger Dr. Thrower was awarded the title President Emerita of The College of Insurance. Brandon Sweitzer has been named Dean of the School of Risk Management, effective July 1. 2011. He previously served as Interim Executive Director and former Chairman of the SRM Board of Overseers.