Jersey City, N.J. – March 13, 2014 – Saint Peter’s University today announced that Steven M. Fulop, mayor of Jersey City, will address the Class of 2014 at the 123rd commencement exercises for the University on May 19, 2014. Fulop will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa. In addition, the University will also bestow an honorary degree upon Ronald W. Tobin, Ph.D. ’57, professor of French and associate vice chancellor for academic program at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Fulop took office as the 49th mayor of Jersey City on July 1, 2013. The son of immigrants, Fulop grew up in Edison, N.J., attended Binghamton University and spent time studying at Oxford University in England. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, but left his position to enlist in the United States Marine Corps following the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001. As a member of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, he was deployed to Iraq and his unit was awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Masts and the Presidential Unit Citation.
In 2005 Fulop became the youngest elected official on the Jersey City council. For his first two years on the council, Fulop donated his total salary to the York Street Project, a non-profit to help homeless and economically disadvantaged women and children. Fulop obtained a master’s in business administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a master’s in public administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
The second honorary degree recipient, Tobin, has written and edited more than 10 books with a particular focus on Jean Racine. Tobin has lectured throughout Europe, Canada and the United States on French classical comedy. He was elected to the Société d’Histoire Littéraire de la France and in recognition of his significant contributions to the arts and literature, he was made a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In honor of his civil achievements, Tobin was also made a Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite. Tobin holds a bachelor’s degree in French from Saint Peter’s and a Ph.D. from Princeton University.
The 123rd commencement exercises also mark a significant milestone for the University as the first students will graduate from the doctorate programs in education and nursing.
The commencement ceremony for Saint Peter’s University will be held at the PNC Bank Arts Center at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014.
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Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.
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