He didn't get roundly boo'd but there were a few jeers for him. None that could be heard on the stage or in the non-student areas though. It didn't help that it was freezing cold and pouring rain for the entire 3 hours. Peter King's speech was also brutally boring and unimaginative. You would think the school would have a backup plan for such a situation with the rain. What a miserable 3 hours out there on what should have been a great day.
He didn't get roundly boo'd but there were a few jeers for him. None that could be heard on the stage or in the non-student areas though. It didn't help that it was freezing cold and pouring rain for the entire 3 hours. Peter King's speech was also brutally boring and unimaginative. You would think the school would have a backup plan for such a situation with the rain. What a miserable 3 hours out there on what should have been a great day.
Many schools have outdoor commencements with an unlimited number of family and friends allowed to attend, but a limited number should the weather turn out to be horrible and need to be moved indoors.
This likely is Harrington's final public appearance. I hope that his successor, if a priest, is more pastoral, visible to students, and see himself as a shepherd or "fisher of men" than a CEO. It's wishful thinking, but if a priest is to be the next leader of the school, is it too much to ask that he sees his role as a vocation and not a profession?
Clearly a tall order since many of us would like to see a President who:
1) can raise the academic standing of the school
2) raise funds
3) be a great spiritual leader of staff, faculty, and students.
God help us.
Given the fact that the Board of Trustees seemingly turned blind eyes over the years on Harrington, Wiles, Chang and other reported issues I don't hold much hope that Harrington's successor will be any innovative leader seeks a level of excellence and achievement.
[quote="kranmars" post=67330
.... The money story is a big deal. Fr. Harrington would not have resigned if this story had not become as big as it did. With that, many people will be watching to see who is the next University President. Future fundraising depends on it.
Donors want certainty now that any future donations are going towards improving SJU. and not a Rolex or a get-away to Hawaii. I know I certainly do.
[quote="kranmars" post=67330
.... The money story is a big deal. Fr. Harrington would not have resigned if this story had not become as big as it did. With that, many people will be watching to see who is the next University President. Future fundraising depends on it.
Donors want certainty now that any future donations are going towards improving SJU. and not a Rolex or a get-away to Hawaii. I know I certainly do.
..... You cannot simply look at the endowment as a singular example of fundraising, since much of it has gone out the door to build new structures on campus and also to provide scholarships. You keep repeating the same point without acknowledging the fault in your logic.
.
..... You cannot simply look at the endowment as a singular example of fundraising, since much of it has gone out the door to build new structures on campus and also to provide scholarships. You keep repeating the same point without acknowledging the fault in your logic.
.
Don't kid yourself; St.John's is not the only school that has built new biuldings and improved its campus during the 24 years that Harrington has been Presiddent of St.John's University. As also noted in prior posts, the average financial aid package to uncoming frosh at St.John's is not more generous than other Catholic colleges.
Please name for me any major national private University, Catholic or not, that does not use its fundraising for scholarships and has not improved its campus during the past 24 years. I will be surprised if you can name just one school.
Beast, as a pro Harrington poster please tell me what Harrington's biggest accomplishment is during the 24 years he has served as President of St.John's University.
Thanks.
..... You cannot simply look at the endowment as a singular example of fundraising, since much of it has gone out the door to build new structures on campus and also to provide scholarships. You keep repeating the same point without acknowledging the fault in your logic.
.
Don't kid yourself; St.John's is not the only school that has built new biuldings and improved its campus during the 24 years that Harrington has been Presiddent of St.John's University. As also noted in prior posts, the average financial aid package to uncoming frosh at St.John's is not more generous than other Catholic colleges.
Please name for me any major national private University, Catholic or not, that does not use its fundraising for scholarships and has not improved its campus during the past 24 years. I will be surprised if you can name just one school.
Beast, as a pro Harrington poster please tell me what Harrington's biggest accomplishment is during the 24 years he has served as President of St.John's University.
Thanks.