August 29, 2007
Hundreds of St. John’s University faculty and administrators,
some accompanied by family members, packed Marillac Hall Auditorium
yesterday afternoon to celebrate a new academic year during the
University’s annual faculty convocation.
Photo
Gallery
The ceremony is hosted each year just before the opening of
classes. Its dual purpose is to welcome new faculty members to St.
John’s and to honor longtime professors who have made significant
contributions to the University’s academic excellence and
Vincentian mission.
In her opening address, Julia A. Upton,
Ph.D., ’73G, 75G, University Provost, highlighted some of the
exciting changes that have graced St. John’s in recent months.
Acknowledging the 15 new faculty members hired for the University’s
new “Writing Across the Curriculum” initiative; the new
renovations, fountains and gardens put in place over the summer;
and the increase in SAT score for incoming freshmen — culled from
the largest application pool in St. John’s history — Upton was
excited to note that the Queens campus “is just blooming” and that
the University’s newest academic endeavors “have been a huge
success.”
The climax of the convocation occurred when Rev. Donald
Harrington, C.M., President, conferred an honorary Doctor of
Science upon Alfred Liberti ’41Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of
Biological Studies, for his invaluable academic contributions and
service to the University. Father Harrington later referred to
Liberti as “one of the giants of our faculty.”
Earlier in the ceremony, Father Harrington awarded the St.
John’s President’s Medal — bestowed upon individuals in recognition
of their extraordinary service and support of the University and
the broader community — to two distinguished academicians: Jerrold Ross, Ph.D.,
Dean of St. John’s The School of Education, and Kathleen Vouté
MacDonald, Ed.D., Dean of St. John’s College of Professional
Studies.
The University also honored
Barrett P. Brenton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology and
Anthropology, with the Service-Learning Faculty Award and
acknowledged Brenton and E. Francine
Guastello, Ed.D., ’79Ed, ’82GEd, Associate Professor of Human
Services and Counseling, as recipients of the 2007 Excellence in
Teaching and Scholarship Award.
In addition, Father Harrington presented gifts to 17 faculty
members who have served the University for 30 years; five faculty
members who have served the University for 40 years; and one
faculty member, Patrick J.
Rohan, J.S.D. ’55UC, ’56L, Professor and Dean Emeritus of the
School of Law, who has served the University for 50 years. Five
faculty emeriti also were honored for their long-term service.
In his honorary address, Byron C.
Yoburn, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who was
awarded the St. Vincent de Paul Teacher’s Scholar Award for
establishing a long record of teaching and scholarly activity
inside and outside the classroom, encouraged those in attendance to
“keep reinventing yourselves” and praised the University as a place
in which he has been “the beneficiary of goodwill” for 20
years.
Speaking at times directly to the 66 new faculty members in
attendance, Father Harrington spoke of his firm belief “that the
greatness of a university is measured by the greatness of its
faculty.”
The convocation, which was followed by a catered reception,
struck a high chord for many of the new faces in the crowd.
Frank Giglio, J.D., ’98C, ’99G, ’05L, a former St. John’s and
minor league baseball player who returns to the University as an
Assistant Professor within the College of Professional Studies
Division of Hotel, Restaurant, Sport, Travel and Tourism, said:
“I’m looking forward to rejoining this tremendous institution so I
can contribute to the benefit of the student body and allow them to
rise to their dreams. That’s why we’re here, as faculty
members.”