Borough President Markowitz delivered a lively, motivational keynote address at the convocation, describing why St. Francis of Assisi would have been a perfect Brooklynite and telling the students that as Brooklynites, they are destined to be successful. “You all will earn your BS’s or BA’s. Of course by BS I mean Brooklyn savvy and BA I mean Brooklyn attitude. When I say Brooklyn attitude, I mean that you are tough, you’re resilient, you’re ambitious, you’re determined, you’re innovative, you don’t take no for an answer and it means that you can charm people off their feet and be in their face at the same time.” (Watch the Charter Day Convocation)

Markowitz was then awarded an Honorary Degree while Real Estate Developer and Philanthropist John Loconsolo was presented with the St. Clare Medal of Service for all the work he has done to help to make private school education accessible and affordable to countless families across New York City.

Shortly after receiving the award, Mr. Loconsolo established the Victoria Loconsolo Foundation Scholarship, which will help pay tuition for two St. Francis College juniors who attended a Catholic school in the Brooklyn Diocese.

Lorraine M. Lynch ’91 National Grid Vice President, U.S. Treasury shared more good news, presenting National Grid Scholarship and Internships to three St. Francis students: Matthew J. Galeano ‘13, Chandradath Ramotar ’13 and James Toscano ‘13.

National Grid, which was also represented by Kenneth Daly ’88, President of National Grid, New York, was just one of the many community partners in attendance for the event. St. Francis was honored to host attendees representing cultural institutions including Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Bridge Park as well as educational partners like St. Francis Xavier and St. Edmunds.

Biographies
Marty Markowitz
Since entering Borough Hall in January 2002, Marty Markowitz has reinvigorated the office of borough president, serving as the tireless chief advocate for Brooklyn’s economic, social and cultural interests, while initiating and promoting efforts to improve Brooklynites’ quality of life. Born and raised in Crown Heights, Marty graduated from Wingate High School in 1962. He received his B.A. in Political Science after attending evening sessions at Brooklyn College from 1962 to 1970.

John Loconsolo
A primary force in the creation and funding of Futures in Education, John Loconsolo has used his success as a real estate developer and investor to make sure thousands of students in New York City can afford to receive a quality Catholic school education. John A. Loconsolo is President of Locon Realty Corp., Loconsolo Properties, LLC and Jack Loconsolo & Co., Inc. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Federal Savings Bancorp, serving as Chairman for the past twenty years. As a “Founding Member” of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Loconsolo helped create a scholarship fund that now offers $2,000,000 in grants each year.

Duns Scotus Honor Society Inductees

Founded in 1935, the Duns Scotus Society is named for the Blessed Duns Scotus, a Franciscan scholar and champion of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception. Election to membership in the Society is based on scholastic standing, participation in extracurricular activities, evidence of loyalty to the ideals of St. Francis College and demonstration of a true Franciscan spirit.

Joseph M. Acciarito
Mohaned Ahmed
Campbell J. Bird
Grace A. Curatolo
Rajko M. Kisdobranski
Zara Mahmud
Guram Nozadze
Charlene Seepersaud
Hanan Omar Selim
Nemanja Z. Simonovic
Bridget A. Slowik
Nicole Terzulli