VN_SPR SUM_06 covers FINAL.indd - Villanova University

Father Dobbin wenton to tell the graduates, “As youdepart from Villanova and ‘commence’ your newcareers and diverse paths in life, you do so in a world thathas never been more challenged and in need of compassionate,dedicated, creative brainpower.... Our society, our world, desperatelyneeds you,” Father Dobbin said. “Just think of the enormouspotential that is sitting before me in this stadium!”Michelle I. Cifone ’06 A&S, a biology major who plans toenter medical school, spoke for her fellow graduates. Almostthe first words she said were “Thank you,” addressed to all thefamilies and friends of the graduates who filled the stands ofVillanova Stadium. She spoke movingly of the fire that burnsin the hearts of Villanova students and noted that they continueto give of their time and talent to those in need. Shecited especially those who spent their fall and spring breakshelping victims of Hurricane Katrina, those who traveledabroad on other mission trips and students who tutored youngstersin Philadelphia’s inner city. “In our service to others andeach other ... we’ve learned as much as we’ve taught and we’vegained as much as we’ve given.”Three exceptional individualsreceive honorary degreesIn addition to the 2,068 baccalaureate degrees, 819 master’sdegrees and five doctoral degrees in philosophy, theUniversity awarded three honorary doctorates, which FatherDobbin conferred:• Sister Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D., aGrey Nun of the Sacred Hearts, wasawarded an honorary degree of Doctorof Medical Science for her work as abiometrician; as an environmentalepidemiologist; and as an advocate forvictims of industrial, technology andmilitary pollution. She is co-founderand president of the InternationalInstitute of Concern for PublicHealth, based in Toronto.• Judith G. Cook, wife of the late David R. Cook ’55 C&Fand mother of three Villanovans—David ’89 A&S, the lateDennis ’90 A&S and Patrick ’91 A&S—was awarded anhonorary degree of Doctor of Laws.She was honored for her loyalty,leadership and philanthropy tothe Catholic Church and to theUniversity. Most recently, she committedfunds to endow the DennisR. Cook Endowed Visiting Chairin Philosophy in memory of herson who died in the WorldTrade Center terrorist attacks onSeptember 11, 2001.• Antonio Muñoz Molina, consideredto be one of Spain’smost important contemporarynovelists, was awarded anhonorary Doctor of Letters.Muñoz Molina has wonSpain’s National NarrativeAward for his novel El inviernoen Lisboa (Winter in Lisbon).He also received a NationalPrize for Literature of Spain.He currently lives in New York City and is executivedirector of the Instituto Cervantes in New York City.In March 2005, he gave the keynote address at “DonQuixote at 400: A Celebratory Encounter,” an internationalconference hosted by Villanova.Faculty awards honor three womenDuring the Commencement Exercises, three faculty awardswere announced:• The 2005-06 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award,sponsored by the Christian R. and Mary F. LindbackFoundation, went to Dr. Sally J. Scholz, associate professorof philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.Dr. John R. Johannes, vice president for Academic Affairs(left) and Father Dobbin (right) with the three faculty membershonored with Lindback awards (from left): Dr. Sally J. Scholz,associate professor of philosophy, Dr. Nancy C. Sharts-Hopkoand Dr. Suzanne C. Smeltzer, both of whom are professors inthe College of Nursing.• The Outstanding Faculty Research Award was presentedto Dr. Suzanne C. Smeltzer, professor, Collegeof Nursing.• The Lawrence C. Gallen, O.S.A., Faculty Service Awardwas presented to Dr. Nancy C. Sharts-Hopko, professor,College of Nursing. The award, named for the late vicepresident for Academic Affairs at Villanova, recognizesoutstanding contributions in University service.36 Villanova Magazine