From John J. Hurley, president
I am happy to report that the Board of Trustees approved resolutions at a meeting last week that will bring an inspiring array of commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients to the May 2012 Canisius College Commencement Exercises.
Sr. Margaret “Peggy” O’Neill, S.C., peace activist and founder of Centro Arte para la Paz in Suchitoto, El Salvador, will serve as the Undergraduate Commencement Speaker and receive an honorary degree. She has been a gracious and inspirational host to our students and staff who have participated in the Campus Ministry service immersion trip to El Salvador. Her compassion is matched equally by her energy, as she works to bring peace, justice, and education through the arts to the impoverished people in her region.
For the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, Donald K. Boswell, president and CEO of WNED-Buffalo, will serve as the keynote speaker and receive an honorary degree. He is responsible for bringing dynamic programming to our region’s public broadcasting station and making it one of the nation’s best. His leadership in Buffalo is broadly felt.
Canisius will also take pride in conferring honorary degrees upon:
- Peter C. and Joan K. Andrews, long-friends of Canisius College and patrons of the arts and education. Both are retired journalists for the Buffalo Courier Express, for which Peter was the former Washington Bureau Chief. Joan is a past member of the Canisius College Board of Trustees.
- Robert T. Brady, chairman and CEO of Moog Inc., which is headquartered in East Aurora and one of the world’s leading designers of precision motion control products and systems. Brady is among the most respected leaders in his industry.
- Brian Concannon, Jr., director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, which he founded to work with the people of Haiti in their non-violent struggle for democracy, justice and human rights, and legal support.
- Rick Jeanneret, broadcaster for the Buffalo Sabres, whose unmistakable voice and charisma are legendary in the NHL and the pride of Buffalo hockey fans.
Leadership, service, and integrity are at the core of their accomplishments in the world and premier examples for our graduates. I am certain that they will enrich our commencement celebrations.
Submitted by: John J. Hurley, president
