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Salem State Awards Three Honorary Degrees at Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies
Honorary doctorates were presented to three distinguished individuals from the North Shore at Salem State's undergradute commencent ceremonies on Saturday, May 16. Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky of Swampscott, conservationist and activist Angela A. Orlando Sanfilippo of Gloucester and Salem resident and congressman from Massachusetts' 6th district John Tierney each received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree before a capacity crowd.
In awarding Mr. Pesky's degree, President Patricia Maguire Meservey noted that "You are an American icon, representing all that is good and real and honest about our nation and its national pastime. More importantly, however, you are a gentleman, one with a heart so large that you are unable to say no--to children who are ill, to charities that request your assistance and to every man, woman and child on the street who simply wishes to shake your hand and say 'thank you'."
Angela A. Orlando Sanfilippo, who has served as president of the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association for over 30 years, has had a major impact on the New England fishing industry through her work as an advocate for cleaner oceans, better working conditions for fishermen, health benefits for fishing families, and a ban on destructive factory trawlers in U.S. waters.
In presenting Mrs. Sanfilippo's degree, Meservey acknowledged that "For those without a voice, yours has been the one to carry the message. In so doing, you have made a positive difference in the way an industry does business--and been a powerful and effective advocate for 'they that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters.'"
John Tierney, congressman and public servant, was the only honorary degree recipient who is also an alumnus of Salem State, having graduated in 1973. In her remarks, Dr. Meservey pointed out that Tierney was "instrumental in helping Salem State obtain funds for its Central Campus expansion, and at the forefront of securing a $4.8-million federal grant that delivered smart-classroom technology to that campus. In January of this year," she continued, "you submitted a grant request on the college’s behalf and were able to obtain a congressional appropriation for our nursing program. As a result, Salem State will be able to provide increased resources for educating nursing students, registered nurses and other health care personnel throughout the North Shore."