Cardinal Rigali helps Neumann celebrate 40th
Mar 21, 2005
College life was different 40 years ago at Neumann College, but professors, students and supporters celebrated the Christian spirit that still burns at the Aston school at a celebration honoring its birthday Wednesday.
(The Daily Times, 03/17/2005) Founded in 1965 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the private, co-educational institution isn’t the oldest in the area, but it is one of the few Catholic colleges that draws on an ancient Franciscan tradition that prevails in its programs and educators today.
Neumann bestowed him with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, along with two others who received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters -- Sr. Corda Marie Bergbauer and Sr. Rose Cecilia Case.
"The success of Neumann’s past helps build a very profound future," Rigali said, after receiving his degree. "Neumann should be proud of the countless men and women who encourage Jesus Christ in their lives and embrace the Franciscan tradition."
Dressed in black, red and purple garb, Rigali praised the institution for its efforts in providing more than education to its students.
"Every institution of higher education should strive for the betterment of its society and culture," said Rigali, as more than 100 attentive spectators listened. "But Catholic institutions of higher education have the unique and supreme task of forming the human person in the light of Jesus Christ."
Rigali said the Franciscan tradition that drives Neumann originated from the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, whose mission in life was to spread the "light" of Jesus Christ to society, and that knowledge should be used in the service of others in a lifelong process.
Matt Milliken, a freshman who attended the birthday celebration, said it was the institution’s Franciscan tradition that makes him proud to call Neumann home.
"Neumann is deeply involved in its community," said the Springfield resident. "It reaches out to Aston and the surrounding area."
Since its modest beginnings of 115 women students, Neumann today has more than 2,000 students, 15 NCAA athletic teams and six performing arts groups.
To close the ceremony, Rigali quoted Pope John Paul II as inspiration for the young faces in the crowd looking to the future while building from their past.
"I am reminded of something Pope John Paul II said during my visit in Thailand," Rigali said. "He was encouraging young people about your age to meet the challenges of the day by taking up weapons, not weapons of war, but weapons described by St. Paul: Faith as a shield, sword of the spirit.
"With these weapons, the Pope said, young people are invincible. There was a perfect pause, and then he repeated the word again, invincible."
Cardinal Rigali helps Neumann celebrate 40th