Catholic University’s 112^th Commencement Features Speech From New Chancellor

For more than 1,000 new graduates, the 112^th commencement exercises of The Catholic University of America marked the end of their time on campus and the beginning of a new life.

Graduates toss their caps at the 112^th commencement of The Catholic University of America.

But for Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, M.A. 1960, Ph.D. 1963, installed as archbishop of Washington in January 2001, the occasion was a new beginning, his first CUA graduation ceremony since becoming chancellor of the university.

It has been more than 35 years since the former CUA chaplain and administrator last took the spotlight at a CUA commencement, he said in his May 12 commencement address, given on the steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Standing before the crowd of approximately 3,000, including graduates, their families and friends, Cardinal McCarrick told a story of the CUA graduation when he rose to shake the hand of President Lyndon Johnson, who gave the commencement address that year. The problem came when Cardinal McCarrick, then a CUA administrator, nearly fell off the makeshift bleachers in the process – and almost took several faculty members with him.

Cardinal McCarrick speaks at commencement.

“I will never forget the look of surprise on the president’s face as three very distinguished university administrators or faculty began to topple [with me],” Cardinal McCarrick said. “The only one who didn’t give me a dirty look was the chancellor, Cardinal O’Boyle. He just looked, shook his head and laughed. He was certainly a great chancellor and I hope I can measure up to his ability to roll with the flow as he did that day almost 40 years ago.”

With that bit of levity, for which he is known, the cardinal went on to advise Catholic University’s latest crop of graduates about service, globalization and priorities in their post-collegiate life.

“We are all so very conscious that as you set out from this university you have so challenging an opportunity in today’s world. Make the most of it. Change the world. Don’t forget the poor. Don’t forget that what you do affects every corner of this globe,” he said. “Don’t forget that perhaps the greatest lesson you have learned at The Catholic University of America is that God watches us and loves us and reaches out into our lives to make a difference so that you and I may make a difference, too.”

(For the full text of Cardinal McCarrick’s speech, click here.)

Receiving degrees at commencement were 1,011 candidates: 91 earned doctoral degrees, 433 earned master’s degrees and 487 earned bachelor’s degrees.

The band played on behind the dais at commencement.

Diane Scott, who received her Ph.D. in social work, attended the National Catholic School of Social Service full time while raising her young daughter in shifts with her husband. “It was a family effort,” she said. Ms. Scott plans to teach at the University of West Florida.

In February she defended her dissertation.

“I thought then it was a relief, and then you go through the ceremony here and the enormity of it hits you,” she said, describing her feelings upon finally graduating as “amazing.”

Students weren’t the only ones breathing a sigh of relief on graduation day.

“It feels good, I’m glad [these] four years are over,” said a mother from Harrisburg, Pa., whose son received a B.Arch. degree from the School of Architecture and Planning and intends to get his master’s degree from CUA as well.

The university bestowed medals of recognition on two friends of CUA. The Very Rev. Mark Curesky, O.F.M. Conv., head of the Franciscan St. Anthony of Padua Province, received the President’s Medal, the university’s highest honor, in gratitude for his decision to make CUA’s Office of Campus Ministry an apostolate of his order. Since the arrival of the Franciscans at CUA, campus spiritual life has flourished. In addition to Mass, there has been an increase in eucharistic holy hours, benedictions, festivals of praise, prayer groups and the addition of two 24-hour chapels on campus, among other good works.

Father O’Connell awards T. Murray Toomey, Esq., with the newly created Bishop Thomas J. Shahan medal.

University alumnus and trustee T. Murray Toomey, Esq., was the first recipient of the Bishop Thomas J. Shahan Medal, newly created by the Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., President, and conferred for Mr. Toomey’s longtime commitment to, support of and service to CUA. The Chevy Chase, Md., resident was named after Bishop Shahan, who also baptized him.

Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law granted 283 Juris Doctor degrees in a separate ceremony on May 26. The law school graduation speaker was Patricio Serna, chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

He also asked graduates to imbue their work with good intentions.

“I challenge you to join those who are truly lawyers, truly advocates, truly counselors, those whose professional choices are guided by their hearts, their conviction, and their commitment to the great potential for good that is the essence of the human spirit.”

(For the full text of Justice Serna’s speech, click here.)