Tomorrow I graduate from St. Bonaventure University with a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership. Two years ago there was no thought about such a reality but in the past 22 months something happened. I have been on “The Good Journey.” In less than two years I have completed 35 graduate hours. I’ve completed 831.5 hours of internships in Special Education, Curriculum, Assistant Principal and been an assistant to a superintendent. My daughter, Dara who graduated in December 2010 from St. Bonaventure University has been an inspiration to me. She graduated from State University College at Fredonia, Summa Cum Laude with a 3.98 gpa a couple of years ago and then graduated from St. Bonaventure with a 4.0 gpa. Through God’s grace and good fortune I too have made that mark. In the process I have been nominated to Pi Lamda Theta and graciously accepted.
On the road to this degree I have met with many wonderful classmates whom I will miss a great deal. I have been blessed to have a great adviser and great professors from whom I have learned. Where does the road lead now? I really don’t know. I do know that I have enjoyed these last almost two years and I am proud to be graduating from St. Bonaventure University tomorrow. Franciscans have played a tremendous role in my educational life. From grade school, high school and now a graduate degree from St. Bonaventure University.
Tomorrow I become an alumni of an institution that I have admired much of my life. I remember looking at the tiled rooftops forty-plus years ago when I sat in study halls at nearby Archbishop Walsh High School. I came to basketball camp here. It was here too that I came on a first date with my wife. We came with our family to enjoy many basketball games. Bonaventure is home to Thomas Merton too. I have reflected often in these past months of how I was studying in the same library that Thomas studied in. Words cannot express all that is in my heart. This has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. Pax et Bonum!