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John J. Partridge, Esq. '61
Convocation Speaker |
The Liberal Arts Honors Program will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of five events between now and next June. Founded in 1957, the program currently welcomes an average of 125 new students yearly and boasts nearly 1,800 graduates.
Honors Program students fulfill the demands of the College’s Core Curriculum, in addition to their major, but take select core courses at the Honors level. In order to graduate with an Honors certificate, students must take four courses in Honors Development of Western Civilization in their freshman and sophomore years and at least two other Honors electives in either the natural sciences, social sciences, fine arts, philosophy, or theology.
The kickoff for the 50th anniversary celebration will be the Honors Program’s annual Convocation on October 20 on campus. The Convocation is being expanded this year and a special effort is being made to invite all program alumni to this and the other anniversary-year events. One of the highlights of Convocation Day will be a lecture on “The Harmony Between Reason and Faith” by College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, an Honors Program alumnus.
Among other events planned that day are the dedication of a tree in memory of Dr. Rodney K. Delasanta ’53, late professor of English, who directed the program from 1987-2004, and a dinner and the Distinguished Alumnus Address by John J. Partridge, Esq. ’61, a member of the original Honors freshman class.
Other events planned throughout the year are a Christmas Mass and Dinner on December 11; a viewing of the PC production of Agnes of God, followed by a discussion and reception, on January 27, 2008; the second Rodney Delasanta Lecture, followed by dinner, in April 2008; and a 10-day trip in June 2008 for Honors alumni to Paris, Provence, and the French Riviera.
“This is an opportunity to reflect on the traditions of the program and the highly accomplished graduates of the past,” said Dr. Stephen J. Lynch, professor of English and Honors Program director.
Honors Program alumni are cordially invited to all of the 50th-anniversary events. For more information, visit the program’s Web site by clicking here.