Family, faculty and friends cheered for their peers鈥 accomplishments at the Michaelmas Convocation on Wednesday, September 29 at St. Aedan鈥檚: The 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 University Church. The annual Michaelmas Convocation is an event that celebrates impressive student accomplishments. These students have been working hard since they started at 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 to maintain high GPAs and strive for the Magis. The Michaelmas Convocation ceremony follows the medieval tradition of convening the faculty and students to start the term and is celebrated in the honor of the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. At this year鈥檚 event, Steven Llanes, Esq. 鈥02, attorney at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, provided the keynote address. Students received achievement awards in all academic areas, including the sciences, arts and business.
During the convocation, 10 seniors are inducted into the oldest and most distinguished honors society at 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚, the Most Noble Order of the Peacock (MNOP), for attaining the highest scholastic average in all courses throughout their first three years at the University. The students inducted into this year鈥檚 MNOP society include Eliany Pedraza 鈥18, Gabriele Bandelli 鈥18, Christian Resurreccion 鈥18, Thomas Calloni 鈥18, Christopher Micak 鈥18, Natzuki Pozo 鈥18, Nicholas Brown 鈥18, Celina Marzullo 鈥18, Marvin Guevane 鈥18 and Felicia Firmin 鈥18. Many other students were awarded scholarships, and students in honors societies were recognized.
Students and attendees also had the opportunity to hear an inspirational keynote from the convocation speaker, Llanes.
Lllanes is the son of immigrants and the grandson of a political prisoner who left Cuba for the freedoms and opportunities of the United States. As a young boy, he developed a passion for American civics; guided by that passion, Llanes received a full-academic scholarship to 猫咪社区 Peter鈥檚 where he earned a degree in political science and communication and was inducted into the Most Noble Order of the Peacock. Around the time of his induction, he witnessed the 9/11 attacks first-hand and resolved to commit himself to prepare for a career in public service. He went on to attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and then work for the newly created U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He eventually returned to New Jersey, where he practices law, is active in church and is raising his family.
During his address, Llanes spoke about the American dream and how being a son of immigrants shaped his future. Llanes stressed the importance of embracing diversity, 鈥淚f we are to truly move forward, we must do so by recognizing and promoting the diversities of our communities.鈥
Speaking to the concept of Magis, Llanes stated, 鈥淵ou are never too young to lead and you are never too young to serve.鈥
After the ceremony, award recipients and their families gathered in The Duncan Family Sky Room for a celebratory lunch. At the lunch, faculty and staff spoke to the amazing accomplishments of the MNOP awardees.
To view photos from the event, click .