St. John's University Celebrates the Investiture of 17th President, Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D.

QUEENS, N.Y., Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony steeped in academic traditions, St. John's University celebrated the investiture of Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., as its 17^th and first lay president.

"St. John's is blessed to have as president an individual who can preserve the Catholic and Vincentian traditions of our great institution while invigorating our academic landscape and challenging us to reach greater heights in our teaching, scholarship, and research," said Peter P. D'Angelo, Chair of the Board of Trustees, who presided over the investiture.

The afternoon began with a Mass at 1 p.m. in Taffner Field House said by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, followed by the formal Investiture Ceremony in Carnesecca Arena.

During the ceremony, Dr. Gempesaw was presented with the presidential regalia, a distinctive red robe representing the academics of the university; the presidential medallion, which bears the university crest and symbolizes the high office of the university; and the university mace, a representation of faculty and students that signifies leadership and the power of higher learning. This transfer of the university's symbols of authority represents St. John's proud history, and celebrates its formal change in leadership.

"St. John's faculty members are noted for their outstanding teaching and scholarly accomplishments, and their commitment to service consistent with our university mission," Dr. Gempesaw remarked during the ceremony. "Our student's success comes from their motivation to learn and their compassion to serve those in need. There is much to celebrate but a great university never is content with the way things are – it seeks to be better.

"Although the challenges in higher education may seem daunting, St. John's University can overcome them and continue to thrive as one of the country's premier Catholic universities. We will face these challenges with a dynamic entrepreneurial and strategic mindset. We must be bold and decisive in meeting these challenges."

Presidents and delegates from universities around the country, as well as local elected officials, Church leaders, students, faculty, administrators and other members of the St. John's community witnessed the historic transition.

Official greetings were presented by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bernardito Auza, Titular Archbishop of Suacia, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations; Rev. Gregorio L. Banaga, Jr., C.M., Ph.D., President, Adamson University; Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., Ed.D., President, DePaul University, as well as by student, faculty and alumni representatives.

"We have to remind ourselves why we work at St. John's University," Dr. Gempesaw continued. "We don't come to St. John's everyday because it's our job – we come here to transform the lives of our student's one individual at a time. Every student counts."

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Reilly at St. John's University, [email protected] or 718-990-5789.

About St. John's University
Founded in 1870, St. John's is a Catholic and Vincentian university that prepares students for ethical leadership in today's global society. The University has three residential New York City campuses—in Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan—in addition to a campus in Rome, Italy; an academic center in Oakdale, NY; and study abroad locations in Paris, France, and Seville, Spain.

Students come from 47 states and 116 countries. The University offers more than 100 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the arts, business, education, law, pharmacy, and the natural and applied sciences. Students also benefit from academic service-learning activities, extensive global studies opportunities, and 17 BIG EAST, Division I men's and women's athletic teams.

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SOURCE St. John's University

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