SPECIAL CONVOCATION IN HONOR OF

HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE MARIO SCELBA

PRESIDENT OF THE CoUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF

AND

HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ITALY

~t. lf n4u'n Uuinrrnity

DOWNTOWN DIVISION AUDITORIUM SATURDAY, APRIL THE SECOND I NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE ORDER OF EXERCISES CITATIONS

PROCESSIONAL HIS EXCELLENCY MARIO SCELBA INVOCATION Distinguished lawyer, illustrious statesman, preeminent Catholic layman; born REVEREND JOHN V. NEWMAN, C.M. in , Italy, he pursued his legal studies at the University of where Dean, St. fohn's College he received his law degree in 1924; even as a student in the Eternal City, he mani­ fested a zealous enthusiasm in the work of Catholic action and politics; while still a NATIONAL ANTHEMS student, he acted as personal secretary to the revered priest and patriot, Don Luigi of America and Itaf,y Sturzo, founder and Political Secretary of the Popular Party; he submitted frequent contributions to the daily Italian paper, "Il Popolo", as well as a variety of other GREETINGS FROM TI-IE UNIVERSI1Y Catholic publications; during the Facist regime he retired from public life and VERY REVEREND JOHN A. FLYNN, C.M. dedicated himself exclusively to the legal profession; in 1941, together with the President, St. fohn's Univet'sity famed trio - De Gasperi, Spataro and Gonnella - he initiated effective plans for the reconstruction of the Popular Party under the new title - Christian Democratic CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES Party; he participated in the first Central Conunittee of that organization assuming Presentation by the position of Vice-Secretary of the party in 1944; during the past ten years, except­ REVEREND CYRIL F. MEYER, C.M. Vice President, St. fohn's University ing the brief interim of the Pella Cabinet, he has always maintained a Minister's post and this distinction singles him out as the longest Minister in office and one of The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws is conferred upon: Italy's most experienced statesmen; little more than a year ago, he formed the His EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE MARIO S.CELBA government over which he currently presides and in that short time, his name has President of the Council of Ministers of Itaf,y already been identified with an extensive program of reforms to enchance the indus­ trialization of Italy; a dynamic worker, he is a dedicated personality to the welfare HIS EXCELLENCY, THE HONORABLE GAETANO MARTINO of his homeland which is also the place of origin of so many who have contributed Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy to the welfare of our own local community and the United States in general; St. John's University is proud to confer upon His Excellency, the Honorable Mario RESPONSE Scelba, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. PRIME MINISTER ScELBA

FOREIGN MINISTER MARTINO HIS EXCELLENCY GAETANO MARTINO GREETINGS FROM THE ALUMNI OF THE UNIVERSI1Y MosT REVEREND JAMES H. GRIFFITHS Skillful scientist, distinguished educator, accomplished statesman ; born in the Auxiliary to the Military Vicar, Francis Cardinal, Spellman seaport town of Messina on the sunny isle of , he obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1923; after extensive travels in Germany, France and GREETINGS FROM THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN England, he was in 1930 awarded a professorship in physiology at the University RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR LEOPOLD A. ARCESE, pt'esiding and of Asuncion in Paraguay, where he remained four years; later, he returned to Italy rept'esenting His Excellency, Archbishop Thrm1as E. Molloy to accept a chair as professor of human physiology at the University of Messina, an institution of which he was eventually to become president; a prolific author of BENEDICTION recognized publications in the area of physiology, he is particularly renowned be­ VERY REVEREND JOSEPH G . DUNNE, C.M. cause of his probing research on the neurological system and allied nutrition; during Supe,.ior, Vincentian Fathers, St. fohn's University the Fascist era, he labored secretly with the Liberal Party which supports the Christian Democratic Party, emerging after World War II as one of its eminent leaders; RECESSIONAL elected in 1946 to the Constituent Assembly and twice thereafter to the Chamber of Deputies; for seven years he served efficiently as Vice-President first of the Assem­ bly and subsequently of the Chamber of Deputies; only last year he was appointed Minister of Education and during his one year tenure gigantic strides were enacted to raise the educational standards for the benefit of Italian youth; only recently he assumed the responsibility of Minister of Foreign Affairs; critical domestic and international problems have met happy solutions under his competent administra­ tion; because of his significant contribution in the cause of education, and in the. general rehabilitation of his native land, St. John's University is privileged to confer upon His Excellency, the Honorable Gaetano Martino, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

RECEPTION COMMITTEE

HONORABLE HENRY L. UGHETTA, Chairman-

HONORABLE VI,CTOR ANFUSO MR. JAMES V. MANGANO MR. JOHN M. AUFIERO HONORABLE ALBERT MANISCALCO HONORABLE CHARLES BECKINELLA HONORABLE HENRY MARTUSCELLO DR. JOSEPH CALTAGIRONE DR. DOMINICK MAURILLO MR. VINCENT CARISTO HONORABLE G. JOSEPH MINETTI DR. JOSEPH B . CAVALLARO HONORABLE NICHOLAS M. PETTE DR. C. THOMAS CHIARAMONTE MR. CHARLES RAo HONORABLE ANTHONY DIGIOVANNA HONORABLE SYLVESTER F. SABBATINO HoNoRABLE ANGELO GRAa HONORABLE JOSEPH T. SHARKEY HONORABLE VITO LANZA MR. BART TURECAMO MR. CHARLES L'EPISCOPO DR. DIODATO VILLAMENA