St. John's News

St. John’s University’s The School of Education honored an esteemed group of professionals at its 100th Anniversary Convocation on Wednesday, November 12 at the Queens campus.  Four accomplished women, Margaret D’Angelo ’70Ed, Carol A. Gresser ’59Ed, Shirley A. Griggs, Ed.D. and Josephine M. Pacini were recognized for their significant contributions to the field of education. 

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University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. presented D’Angelo, Chair for The School of Education’s Centennial Leadership Committee, with the President’s Medal for her humanitarian efforts.  The medal is given to an individual who has achieved exceptional personal and professional success and/or rendered outstanding service to the University or society as a whole.

Gresser, Griggs and Pacini were conferred Doctor of Pedagogy degrees.  Gresser is a former President of the New York City Board of Education and professor at St. John’s.  She is a staunch advocate for New York City students and has demonstrated her leadership within the city by successfully leading two chancellor searches and managing a $9 billion budget. 

Griggs is Professor Emerita of Counselor Education for The School of Education and has shared her expertise with students at St. John’s through her books that examine teaching methodology and benefited them through the scholarship she established. 

Pacini is a linguist and has spent her professional career effectively teaching the beauty of languages and diversity of culture to her many students. 

These four women were honored to be recognized by the University which in many ways gave them as much as they gave back.

“St. John’s taught me to think, to question, to strive, to serve, to give back.  It taught me to stand up for my priniciples and fight against injustice,” recalled Gresser in her Convocation Address.  “My love for children and my belief that education is the answer to most of our problems has driven my life.  And thanks to St. John’s, I was well prepared for the life that I led.  St. John’s empowered me to teach, to inspire students to learn, to lead, to administer.”

Find out more about this and other 100th Anniversary events.