SJC Honors Veterans During LI Campus Ceremony

November 24, 2014

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – November 24, 2014 – St. Joseph’s College (SJC) hosted a lecture given by U.S. veterans at its recent Veterans Day Ceremony. The speakers were retired U.S. Army Colonel Vincent Montera, who served from 1974 to 2006 and also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1969; Anthony Cacace, SJC student who served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 and Michael Pope, SJC student who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine from 1944 to 1946.

Mr. Pope, who is 90 years old, served as an engineering officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. He holds degrees in engineering and law and will be receiving an honorary doctorate from the City College of New York for his work in the energy field. Currently, Mr. Pope is studying humanities on SJC’s Long Island Campus.

“It is a real honor for us to have a student like Michael here at St. Joseph's College,” said Shannon O’Neill, assistant dean of military and veteran services at SJC. “His experience, knowledge and wisdom have added such value to the entire SJC community, and I have especially enjoyed watching Michael interact with our more recent Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. There is a great sense of respect and camaraderie that has truly crossed generations.”

After the lecture, SJC President Dr. Jack Calareso and Alan Vitters, SJC faculty member who served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1992, presented every veteran in attendance with a medal on behalf of the College to acknowledge their service.

With more than 230 military-connected students between the two campuses, SJC offers a number of degree programs with flexible course schedules. SJC is a proud participant in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and a core member of the SOCAD-4 management network. In addition, the College was recently named to Military Times’ list of Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 rankings.

For more information on the military benefits available at SJC, contact Shannon O’Neill at 631.687.2678 or [email protected].

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in more than 29 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.