May 7, 2002– Saint Peter’s College Announces Graduation Date and Honorary Degree Recipients
Jersey City, NJ – Saint Peter’s College will conduct its 111th Commencement on Sunday, May 19 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. The 11 a.m. ceremony will salute a graduating class of more than 800 full-time, part-time, evening and graduate students.
The College will bestow Honorary Degrees upon Sr. Barbara Nesbihal, S.C., John Murray and Dr. Kenneth T. Jackson.
Dr. Jackson, who will deliver the commencement address, is the Jacques Barzun Professor of History and the Social Sciences at Columbia University. He is best known for his editorship of the 1,373-page Encyclopedia of New York City and his presidency of the New-York Historical Society. The expert on American urban life has written numerous books including the award-winning Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States.
“Dr. Jackson’s interest in urban issues and the role of immigrant groups in cities is especially significant for our student body,” said Saint Peter’s College President James Loughran, S.J. “We have students who were born in 64 different countries and are ready to enter the work force and become important members of the American society. Dr. Jackson will inspire and encourage our students, their families and the entire college community.”
The College will also present an Honorary Degree to 1957 graduate John Murray. Murray spent 38 years with The Prudential Insurance Company of America before retiring in 1995 as the Chief Financial Officer of capital and investment services. He is the former Chair of the Saint Peter’s College Board of Trustees, the College’s Board of Regents and the school’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee.
Sister Barbara Nesbihal has been the principal of Saint Bridget’s Convent Catholic School for more than 25 years. Located on Montgomery Street in Jersey City, Saint Bridget’s Convent Catholic School remained a neighborhood landmark for its largely minority community, even as the city redeveloped the area to attract business.
“John and Sister Barbara are models of the Jesuit ideal, they are truly ‘men and women for others.'” Father Loughran said. “John has been a part of the College community for almost 50 years and has provided us with so much wisdom and leadership, along with his family’s generous financial support. Sister Barbara has given so many youngsters the opportunity to gain an education. Too often the American education system fails the poor, minority groups, but Sister Barbara has worked tirelessly to prevent this from happening.”
Saint Peter’s College is the Jesuit College of New Jersey. Founded in 1872, Saint Peter’s has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located in Jersey City and a branch campus, specializing in adult education, is located in Englewood Cliffs. Saint Peter’s also offers classes in downtown Jersey City near the waterfront financial district.