COMMENCEMENT HONOREES 2008

Stonehill’s 57th Commencement will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. on the College quadrangle. American psychiatrist and author Robert Jay Lifton, M.D., Ph.D. (right), known for his landmark studies of the psychological causes and effects of war and political violence, is the Commencement speaker. He will address approximately 596 graduates at the ceremony.

The College will also present honorary degrees to Sister Lena Deevy, L.S.A., executive director of the Boston Irish Immigration Center, and to Lawrence C. Salameno, J.D. and Theresa (Ryan) Salameno, Stonehill trustees., who are active in civic, educational, and philanthropic causes. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Lifton attended Cornell University and received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1948. He credits his service as an Air Force psychiatrist in Japan and Korea (1951 to 1953) with his interest in war and politics.

A visiting professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Hospital, Lifton is an early proponent of the techniques of psychohistory, the study of the psychological motivations of historical events, and his theory of thought reform, as outlined in his groundbreaking book, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of  "Brainwashing" in China. (1961). 

In that book, Dr. Lifton details eight methods used to change people’s minds without their agreement. His name was further popularly associated with the concept of “brainwashing” methods, when he testified as a defense witness at the 1976 trial of Patty Hearst.

Among his most influential books are Death in Life: Survivors of Hiroshima (1968), Home from the War: Vietnam Veterans — Neither Victims nor Executioners (1973), and The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide (1986). Following his work with Hiroshima survivors, Lifton became a vocal opponent of nuclear arms. 

Since 1995, Dr. Lifton has been conducting psychological research on the problem of apocalyptic violence, focusing on Aum Shinrikyo, the extremist Japanese cult which released poisonous gas in Tokyo subways. His book, Destroying the World to Save It: Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence and the New Global Terrorism, was published in 1999.

He has been an active member of Physicians for Social Responsibility since 1962, and is a founding member of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. Dr. Lifton is an associate of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research.

He has worked as a teacher and researcher at the Washington School of Psychiatry, Harvard University, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he helped to found the Center for the Study of Human Violence.

Dr. Lifton will receive a Doctor of Literature degree.

For more information on Commencement visit here.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are:

Sister Lena Deevy, L.S.A.
Leaving Dublin nearly twenty years ago to travel to Boston “for a short break,” Sister Lena Deevy (right) has tirelessly served the needs of immigrants to Massachusetts ever since.

With no formal college degree, Sister Deevy was accepted into a master's program at the Harvard School of Education, where she studied administration, planning, and social policy.

While studying at Harvard, she wrote a research paper on undocumented Irish immigrants.  "Living On The Edge," a perspective on the Irish, became the cornerstone of the Boston Irish Immigration Center, and in 1990 Sister Deevy became one of the organization's first paid employees.  Today she is the executive director of the Center.

In this leadership role, Sister Deevy welcomes Irish newcomers and immigrants from every corner of the Globe. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), and a member of the Development Committee of Haymarket People’s fund.

Sister Deevy has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Grassroots International, as the chairperson of the National Coalition of Irish Immigrant Organizations, a member of the Massachusetts Diversity Team, and as a member of the Department of Public Health’s Refugee and Immigrant Health Advisory Council.

In 1996, she received the Isaac Hecker award for her outreach to all immigrant groups and her work to combat the accompanying racism. “Her inclusive vision,” noted the award committee, “drew attention to the historic interrelationship between Boston’s immigrant groups, in particular those of Irish and African roots.”

In 2005, Sister Deevy was one of 12 local leaders chosen for a prestigious Barr Foundation fellowship to explore African approaches to nonprofit leadership in South Africa and Zimbabwe. She has received numerous other awards and honors, among them the City of Boston Citation for the Irish Immigration Center’s efforts to build bridges between local communities (2006).

Always a catalyst for grassroots initiatives and an advocate for positive social change, Sister Deevy is a product of her environment – an Irish, rural, farming community, with a focus on discipline, hard work, and faith. Trained as a nurse, she joined a convent more than 30 years ago, choosing the Little Sisters of the Assumption for their grassroots focus.

Prior to coming to Boston, Sister Deevy had 20 years of experience in community organizing of poor neighborhoods in Ireland.

Sister Lena Deevy will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

Lawrence C. Salameno, J.D. and Theresa (Ryan) Salameno 
Active in civic, educational, and philanthropic causes, Lawrence C. and Theresa (Ryan) Salameno are members of the College’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Salameno is also a member of the President’s Council and the Campaign Executive Committee for “Attaining the Summit: The Campaign for Stonehill College.”

A successful businessman and history enthusiast, Mr. Salameno became acquainted with Stonehill when his daughter attended in 2001-02. He became a Trustee in 2002. “My wife and I love the special way that Stonehill challenges its students,” he has said.

In 2001, the Salamenos created the Theresa Ryan Scholars Program at Stonehill. The program benefits financially needy students who attend the College, and, to date, the scholarship has assisted 46 students.

In 2006, Lawrence and Theresa Salameno generously created the first endowed chair in Stonehill’s 60-year history. The Lawrence and Theresa Salameno Endowed Chair in History marked another step in Stonehill’s academic development. In 2007, John Rodrigue, Ph.D. joined the faculty as the inaugural holder of the Chair.

Residents of New Jersey, the Salamenos are active in their community. Mr. Salameno is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Saddle River Day School of Saddle River, New Jersey, a trustee of Oak Knoll School of Summit, New Jersey, and a trustee of the Valley Hospital Foundation for the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Theresa Salameno is active in numerous civic, educational, and philanthropic causes and is a member of the Ramapo College of New Jersey Foundation Board of Governors.

Lawrence Salameno is the Director of Permal Group Ltd., and the Executive Vice President and Director of Permal Group Inc., one of the oldest and largest alternative asset management firms.

He is also a member of the President’s Advisory Council of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and a past member of various committees of the Securities Industry Association.

Lawrence and Theresa Salameno will each receive an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

MEDIA NOTE:
To reserve a seat at the front of the stage and a press kit, please contact the Office of Media Relations at (508) 565-1321. In the event of rain, Commencement will take place in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex on the Stonehill Campus. 

Issued 03/07/08