NU honors four at Vincentian Heritage Convocation

Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, January 19-21, 2006

Sister Margaret John Kelly, a member of the Daughters of Charity, was the keynote speaker at Niagara University’s Vincentian Heritage Convocation on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in Alumni Chapel.

Sister Margaret John, a former NU trustee, is executive director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University. She received Niagara’s highest honor, the President’s Medal.

Sister Margaret John pioneered the work of Mission Services at the Catholic Health Association of the United States from 1980-1984 as she coordinated national activities in Catholic identity, pastoral care, ethics, and religious sponsorship of health care facilities. From 1984-87, she served on the Provincial Council of the Daughters of Charity, Northeast Province, with responsibility for social ministry within the province. From 1987-93, she was provincial superior of the Northeast Province of the Daughters of Charity.

The Rev. Daniel J. O’Leary, a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, received the President’s Medal. Fr. O’Leary served at the university for nearly 30 years, most recently as associate vice president for academic affairs. Prior to that, he was dean of the College of Education.

Father O’Leary was credited with leading the College of Education to accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and with obtaining ministerial consent from the Ministry of Education to operate extension programs in the Province of Ontario.

Two other individuals were honored at the convocation. Niagara Falls area physician Dr. Robert Bull was the recipient of the Caritas Medal. This award is given annually to a person whose life eminently portrays the charity of St. Vincent. Dr. Bull, who donates weeks of his services yearly to the sick in Chiapas, Mexico, was recognized for his dedication and leadership work in caring for the poor.

Niagara University men’s basketball coach Joseph Mihalich received the university’s Vincentian Mission Award. This honor goes to an NU employee who demonstrates the values of St. Vincent DePaul. Mihalich has coached the Purple Eagles since 1998.