SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY
COMMENCEMENT REMARKS
TIMOTHY R. LANNON, S.J.
MAY 15, 2005
Good afternoon. Quite often, when we reach the end of one chapter in life – as our graduates do today – we are asked to reflect on its meaning.
When I reflect on the 2004-2005 academic year at Saint Joseph's, I think of many things. We began the year by introducing a new way to talk about ourselves. Now, when the name "Saint Joseph's University" appears, it is often followed by three additional words – Spirit • Intellect • Purpose – that are intended to capture who we are, what we do, and why. And, when I look around the University and at this remarkable graduating class, it is impossible to miss how well they embody those qualities.
I see spirit in the individuals who worked so hard to make this ceremony possible. I see it in those who have given their time to bless us with music, prayer, and reflection. I certainly see it in the "Golden Hawks," who have joined us to celebrate their 50th reunion. Their continuing love and support of Saint Joseph's is also impossible to miss.
I see intellect in the achievements our numerous student award winners as well as in the faculty recipients of the Tengelmann and Lindback awards. Dr. John Tudor and Father Peter Clark represent so brilliantly our commitment to scholarship and dedicated teaching, and have earned these awards many times over. The first three graduates with a major in International Business are here today, as is senior John Geibel of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, who finished first in the nation in extemporaneous speaking for our Villiger debate team (and, as a former "extemper" myself, I can tell you how difficult that is!). Congratulations, John, to you and your Villiger teammates for another very successful year.
I see purpose in the way that our students continue to embrace the Ignatian ideal of being men and women with and for others. I see it in the "Up 'Til Dawn" service project, which raised $78,000 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and in senior Frank Iannucci (EYE-a-NU-chy) of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, a leader of this year's Hand-in-Hand festival, one of our most successful outreach programs each year. The "SJU Prays" initiative in February was especially purposeful, as senior Laura Grow of Philadelphia shared her experiences as a Methodist and many others shared the traditions of so many different religions with the University community. And the keen sense of purpose displayed by our University College graduates, most balancing family and career responsibilities to reach this moment, is something very special.
I think we would all agree that the spirit, intellect, and purpose of this year's honoree – Tim Russert of NBC News – are infectious. Thank you, Tim, for sharing your time and talent with our graduates. Your accomplishments as a journalist and even more so the ethics you bring to a vital profession are an inspiration to all of us. The same can be said for our Greaton Award recipients at the Connelly Foundation, whose support of Catholic higher education has been essential in Philadelphia and beyond.
Most of all, I see spirit, intellect, and purpose in you, the Class of 2005. Your spirit -- from the classrooms and residence halls, from Campus Ministry to Madison Square Garden – fills our hearts and keeps us young. Your intellect resulted in 44 seniors being inducted into the University's Phi Beta Kappa chapter and another XX seniors joining the Jesuit honor society, Alpha Sigma Nu. And the purpose you so willingly exhibit -- from North Philadelphia to Camden, from Appalachia to Mexico – tells me that the future of our country is in very good hands. My prayer for you is to carry these qualities – Spirit • Intellect • Purpose – into the future and to share them selflessly for a greater good.
I know no one ever complains that a speech is too short. So we bid you farewell with the understanding that this is only a "physical" goodbye. Like the Hawk itself, your "emotional" connection to Saint Joseph's University will never die. So you can start making plans now to be back here as Golden Hawks in May 2055!
Once again, congratulations. May God continue to bless you and your families throughout all the chapters of your lives.