Commencement 1999
Cardinal Jan Schotte Presides over 25th Commencement
About 1,000 guests turned out on a beautiful
summer day to attend an outdoor baccalaureate Mass and graduation
ceremonies on the lower lawn of the campus for forty-three
seniors of Thomas Aquinas College. Presiding over ceremonies
was Jan Cardinal Schotte, the Secretary General of the Synod
of Bishops.
Cardinal Schotte had delayed joining Pope John Paul II on
his historic trip to Poland just so he could come to the College
for this event. When the Holy Father asked him to come with
him to Poland, the Cardinal told him he couldn't; he had to
attend graduation ceremonies at Thomas Aquinas College. The
Holy Father then replied, "Oh, I know that place! You
have to bring them [the graduates] rosaries from me!"
Cardinal Schotte caught a plane on Sunday morning and went
directly to Krackow, Poland to meet up with Pope John Paul
II for the remainder of his tour.
During the ceremonies, President Thomas Dillon presented
Cardinal Schotte with the Thomas Aquinas Medallion, the highest
award that the College gives to honor those individuals who
have demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to God and His
Church.
Students bowed to kiss the Cardinal's ring as they approached,
one-by-one, to receive their diplomas and - following the
Cardinal's surprise announcement - one of the Pope's rosaries.
It was an added treasure for the graduates, who hail from
12 states and Canada.
A whopping 25% of these graduates (11) are considering vocations
to the priestly or religious life. Seven others are heading
off to graduate school immediately, while nine plan to attend
after working to pay down student loans. Another two plan
to attend medical school after completing a year of pre-med
course work. Six will be teaching in private elementary schools;
and two will be in Washington, D.C., engaged in public policy
work. The remaining graduates are entering the workforce in
various fields.
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Summer 1999
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