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St. John’s Gets Lilly Grant to Develop Catholic Leaders
Calling all young Catholic leaders! The Vincentian Summer High School Theology Institute for high school students will be hosted by St. John’s University beginning in summer 2017.
It is being made possible thanks to a $596,847 grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The institute seeks to help students grow as Catholic leaders in their schools and parishes.
The one-week academic and faith formation program will help students make connections between the Catholic and Vincentian traditions of St. John’s University and the needs of New York City. Participants will put their knowledge into action by providing assistance and support to those most in need in the community.
Dr. Joann Heaney-Hunter, associate professor of theology and religious studies, will serve as project director.
Students will develop important skills such as listening, communication and leadership, and they will learn how to lead prayers, serve as group leaders and reflect on how they may better serve the Church. The program is open to high school sophomores and juniors.
Collaborating with the institute are faculty members from the St. John’s Theology and Religious Studies departments and administrators from the Office of Mission. Catholic student leaders at St. John’s will serve on the staff and as program mentors.
Fordham Grad Washington Wins Golden Globe Award
Denzel Washington, a 1977 graduate of Fordham University, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 10.
Washington, a Mount Vernon native, studied journalism at the Jesuit university until his junior year when he transferred to the theatre program after realizing his love for acting. In 2011, he contributed $250,000 for a scholarship fund for Fordham theatre students and established the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre with a $2 million gift. Washington also served on the university’s board of trustees in the late 1990s.
He previously won Oscars for his performances in “Training Day” and “Glory.”
He and his wife, Pauletta, live in Los Angeles with their four children.
