BRIEFLYNOTED
Out and about on campus
Class of 2012 Graduates at 55th Commencement
E
ight hundred and ten students were awarded degrees at Holy Family University’s 55th Commencement Ceremonies, on May 19 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Holy Family bestowed honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to nationally syndicated cartoonist and humanitarian Robb Armstrong and to Reverend Richard J. Curry, SJ, PhD, a Jesuit priest, actor, author, professor, baker, and founder of the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped, the nation’s only theatre school for the physically disabled. A native of West Philadelphia, Armstrong is the creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip JumpStart, which is read and seen each day in more than 450 news publications across the nation. JumpStart offers funny excerpts from the daily life of a middle-class African-American family. Father Curry is director of the Academy for Veterans at Georgetown University, which helps veterans return to civilian life through a combination of performing arts, spirituality, medical care, and education. Rever-
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end Curry’s advocacy on behalf of disabled veterans has changed the lives of countless individuals. His cousin, James Curry, accepted the honorary degree on behalf of Father Curry. In the graduate ceremony, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees were presented to Anne M. Gallagher, an educator and volunteer and a former University trustee; Luz Duque-Hammershaimb, MD, a retired clinical research executive for MedImmune Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, and a former University trustee; and George W. Nise, a retired chief executive of Beneficial Savings Bank of Philadelphia and a former University trustee, who has held many leadership roles in community and civic organizations spanning 40 years. In addition, the University honored the 50th Anniversary Class of 1962 and retiring Professor Emeritus of Communications and Theatre Kathryn Osenland, EdD.
ABOVE, TOP: Robb Armstrong,
honorary degree recipient and creator of the nationally syndicated cartoon JumpStart, addresses undergraduate students. ABOVE: James Curry accepts Doctor of Humane Letters honors on behalf of his cousin, Reverend Richard J. Curry, SJ, PhD, at the undergraduate ceremony. BELOW, RIGHT: At the graduate ceremony, Doctor of Humane Letters degrees were awarded Luz Duque-Hammershaimb, MD, Anne M. Gallagher, and George W. Nise for their years of service to Holy Family and beyond.
holyfamily.edu/magazine