2019 Honorary Degree Recipients Announced
Five individuals will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree at Le Moyne College's 69th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, Ma7 19.
In addition to commencement speaker Greg Boyle, S.J., the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the following will also receive honorary degrees.
John O’Malley S.J., a professor in the theology department at Georgetown University, is a widely published expert on the religious history of Early Modern Europe, with specialties on the Council of Trent and the Second Vatican Council. Among O'Malley's best-known works are "The First Jesuits," which has been translated into 12 languages, and "What Happened at Vatican II." He has received countless awards in the field of Catholic history, religious culture and theology; among them Harvard University's Graduate School of Arts Centennial Medal. He has served as president of both the Renaissance Society of America and the American Catholic Historical Association. He was elected in 1995 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, in 1997 to the American Philosophical Society and in 2001 to the Accademia di San Carlo, Ambrosian Library. He received the Johannes Quasten Medal from the Catholic University of America. In 2002 he was awarded the Society of Italian Historical Studies Grand Prize and in 2005 the Renaissance Society of America.
Fred Valerino, a member of Le Moyne’s first graduating class in 1951, is founder and chairman of Pevco Systems International, Inc. in Baltimore, Md., which designs, manufactures, markets, installs, and services computer controlled pneumatic tube transport systems primarily for the healthcare industry. Founded in 1978, Pevco systems are found in more than 600 hospitals and the company employs nearly 90 individuals nationwide. The company has been recognized by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce with "The Blue Chip Enterprise Award" for award-winning innovation, quality and service in the design, manufacture and installation of transport systems. Valerino has served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Le Moyne since 2010. He received the Frank Fernandez Business Leader of the Year Award in 1998 and the Ignatian Award in 2006.
Carl Thomas ’65 is the retired director of Le Moyne’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). A collaboration between the New York State Education Department and Le Moyne, HEOP provides broad and varied educational experiences to capable students who, due to academic underpreparation and limited financial resources, might not have an opportunity to attend college. The program provides academic support services, counseling, and financial aid to enable students to complete their program of study at Le Moyne successfully. Thomas received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Le Moyne in 1995. In 2008 he was honored by Catholic Charities with the Bishop's Medallion for actively serving the people of the Diocese of Syracuse. He is a trained volunteer peacemaker with the Near Westside Peacemaking Project, an initiative of the Syracuse office of the Center for Court Innovation. He also volunteers for the Syracuse Jail Ministry Council, which provides spiritual guidance and bail support to incarcerated individuals in the Syracuse area. Thomas served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1968 until 1971, serving one tour of duty in Vietnam. In addition to a bachelor's degree in English from Le Moyne, he earned a master's degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University in 1967.
Pamela Hunter is currently the assembly member for the 128th District of the New York State Assembly. This district covers portions of Syracuse, and the surrounding towns of Salina, DeWitt and Onondaga. Born and raised in upstate New York, Hunter previously served in the United States Army until she was honorably discharged with a commendation medal and two achievement medals. Over the years, she has been involved in and, at times, held executive positions at Syracuse-based charities such as Syracuse Community, Health Center, Home Aides of CNY and Catholic Charities. In 2013, she first made the transition into politics by winning an at-large seat on the Syracuse Common Council. Her current position in the NYS Assembly came by winning the special election for the seat in 2015. She is a graduate of Strayer College, D.C. with a degree in Business Administration and concentrations in Human Resources and Computer Information Systems.