PHILADELPHIA (April 20, 2009) — Saint Joseph’s University announced today that it will grant honorary degrees of Doctor of Public Service to world champion Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former SJU student athlete Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen.

The Moyers are receiving the honorary degrees in recognition of their charitable work with The Moyer Foundation. Jamie and Karen Moyer will be presented with the honors at a special Academic Convocation on April 30, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at The Student Commons on the James J. Maguire '58 Campus of Saint Joseph’s University.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to a tented reception on the upper portion of the baseball field on Maguire Campus at 4:30 p.m. Baseball-themed snacks, including hot dogs and popcorn, will be served. On the lower portion of the field, uniformed members of the SJU varsity baseball team will practice with 30 Little Leaguers from the Narberth Athletic Association.

“Saint Joseph’s holds a special place in my heart and Karen and I are flattered to be honored by the University in this way,” said Jamie Moyer. “There are a number of great people who help make The Moyer Foundation’s efforts possible, so we dedicate these degrees to them and each child who has participated in our programs.”

A student at SJU from 1982-1984, Jamie Moyer holds the pitching records for both strikeouts in a season and ERA. He is the only baseball player in Hawks’ history to have his number retired, and he was inducted into the Saint Joseph's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.

In 2000, Jamie and Karen founded The Moyer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide comfort and support to children enduring a time of profound physical, emotional or financial distress. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $17 million to assist over 170 different non-profit organizations that serve the needs of children in such situations.

"Beyond Jamie’s notable accomplishments on the field, he and Karen have dedicated themselves to the Jesuit ideal of service to others through their charitable work for children in need," said Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., president of Saint Joseph's. "The University is proud to recognize the example set by this extraordinary couple."