America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Cardinal Dolan joined Manhattan College’s Class of 2012 with an honorary doctorate May 20. As the keynote speaker for the college’s 170th commencement exercises on the bright Sunday afternoon, Cardinal Dolan told the nearly 4,000 in attendance, “I have seen the data, folks. Manhattan College teaches love.”
The cardinal spoke of the Jaspers he meets throughout the archdiocese each day in the hospitals, classrooms and streets of New York—teachers, health care workers, lawyers, police—and even the engineers repairing St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Cardinal Dolan compared those particular alumni to two New York giants, Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day, because of the way they gave of themselves for the good of others.
“I realize commencement addresses are supposed to verge on the hyperbolic,” the cardinal said, “but I mean it when I tell you that I believe I’m looking out with love and admiration upon today’s Thomas Mertons and Dorothy Days.”
Telling the more than 700 graduates that Manhattan College provided a major in love, he pointed out that if enlightenment began with the realization that the earth was not the center of the universe then maturity begins with the realization “that neither am I the center of the universe.”
He encouraged the graduates to remember that as they began their lives after college. “At the cosmic final exam, Jesus is not going to ask us about our college degree…He is certainly not going to ask about a cardinal’s red hat,’” Cardinal Dolan said.
“All he is going to do is ask us…if we fed the hungry, if we helped heal the sick, if we clothed the naked and welcomed the stranger, if we visited the imprisoned and educated those unlearned. In other words, if selfless, sacrificial love has been our hallmark.”
Cardinal Dolan concluded his address by bestowing accolades, and a challenge, to his “classmates.”
“I am proud to be numbered among you,” he said. “Now let’s love God and our neighbor.”
The graduates responded with a standing ovation.
Brother Robert Berger, F.S.C., associate professor of religious studies at Manhattan College, read the citation for Cardinal Dolan’s honorary doctorate of humane letters.
After citing many of the cardinal’s accomplishments, Brother Berger concluded, “You have humbly invested the gifts God gave you. Today, we salute your dignity, your grace, your wit, your strength.”
Thomas D. O’Malley, a 1963 graduate of Manhattan College and executive chairman of PBF Energy Company LLC, was also awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters for his dedication and service throughout his prestigious business career.
Meredith Mayer, the valedictorian, was pleased to count Cardinal Dolan among the graduates. “It was such an honor having Cardinal Dolan present at our graduation and a huge source of pride for Manhattan College to welcome him as a fellow Jasper,” said Ms. Mayer, who is a parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill.
“His message to welcome love and selflessness into every facet of our lives was well received and his degree honoris causa well deserved,” she added.
The May 20 commencement ceremony awarded undergraduate degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering and science.
On May 19, the college conferred bachelor’s degrees to students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, master’s degrees to those in the schools of business, education and engineering, and professional diplomas to students in the School of Education.
John Esposito, a 1969 alumnus of the college and retired president and CEO of Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. and Bacardi North America, delivered the keynote address at that afternoon commencement, during which he also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
