Students, faculty and leaders of St. Francis Xavier School and St. Francis College gathered on a sunny, Tuesday morning, May 3, to celebrate the partnership between the two institutions. The goal of the partnership is to share the higher education resources of the top ranked St. Francis College with the students of St. Francis Xavier.

Reverend William Rueger, Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, began the morning event by blessing the 15 foot high banner that now hangs.

“As we bless a beautiful banner today, it is important to recall that this relationship has existed for many years, particularly with the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn,” said Brendan J. Dugan ‘68, President of St. Francis College. “Several Brothers who are now at the College previously taught at St. Francis Xavier.”

Margaret Kelley, who handles education policy for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, offered greetings from Borough Hall and the wish of the Borough President for a long and productive collaboration between St. Francis Xavier School and St. Francis College.

“This partnership will give St. Francis College students the opportunity to fulfill their student observations and student teaching requirements in the classrooms of the school,” said James Konkel ‘57, a St. Francis College alum and trustee of St. Francis Xavier who was instrumental in formalizing the partnership. “St. Francis Xavier students will be invited to academic, cultural and athletic events at St. Francis College so they can get a sense of the college experience.”

“The Small College of Big Dreams will be fueling the big dreams of the students at St. Francis Xavier,” said Sister Kathleen Sullivan, CSJ, Principal of St. Francis Xavier.

Attached photo: Students from St. Francis Xavier, with (From L-R) James Konkel '57, Retired Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited; Chair St. Francis College Education Department Richard Giaquinto; Principal St. Francis Xavier Sister Kathleen Sullivan, CSJ; Brooklyn Borough President’s Office Margaret Kelley; Pastor St. Francis Xavier Rev. William Rueger; President Brendan J. Dugan '68; Education Professor Peter Leibman; St. Francis College student Joseph Giamboi ’12.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu