Bishop Noonan Receives Honorary Degree from Saint Leo, One of the Top Catholic Universities in Florida

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Bishop Noonan of Orlando honored for his service to the Catholic Church at Saint Leo, one of the top catholic universities in Florida

Saint Leo, FL (PRWEB) June 04, 2012

Saint Leo University awarded Bishop John Gerard Noonan of Orlando an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on April 27, 2012, during the Baccalaureate Mass that traditionally begins the weekend commencement activities at Saint Leo’s University Campus. The trustees of Saint Leo—one of the top Catholic universities in Florida—honored Bishop Noonan for his service to the Catholic Church and to Catholic education.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando is the home diocese to many students who study at University Campus, even though University Campus itself resides within the neighboring Diocese of St. Petersburg. Saint Leo University also operates several education centers serving local students within the Orlando diocese. Bishop Noonan delivered the homily during the Baccalaureate Mass.

Saint Leo University is Florida’s oldest Catholic college, founded in 1889 by the Order of Saint Benedict. The University community welcomes people of all faiths, and those with no religious affiliation. Rooted in a centuries-old Benedictine tradition, Saint Leo University offers a practical, effective model for life and leadership in a challenging world, a model based on steadfast, moral consciousness that recognizes the dignity, value, and gifts of all people.

University President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., formally awarded the Bishop the honorary degree. Bishop Noonan has a long history of leading and educating young people in the Catholic faith. Before he was appointed Bishop of Orlando, Noonan served as auxiliary bishop of Miami and as supervising principal in two Catholic high schools in Miami. He is a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Education and a member of its Charter for the Protection of Youth and Young Adults.

Fostering a spirit of service on campus, Saint Leo University encourages all students to become servant leaders like Bishop Noonan. During both the fall and spring semesters, Saint Leo University celebrates Community Service Day, where students volunteer at local nonprofit agencies.

More than 1,000 students received degrees—both at the undergraduate and graduate levels—during three commencement ceremonies held on April 27 and 28. At Saint Leo—one of the leading Catholic universities in Florida—all undergraduate students take courses in religion and philosophy, Saint Leo offers more than 40 academic programs, including a B.A. in Religion and M.A. in Theology.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo ranks as one of the top universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” list. Saint Leo’s traditional liberal arts campus, located 30 miles north of Tampa, educates more than 1,900 students. Total enrollment across its campus, regional education centers, and online programs exceeds 15,000. Among the oldest Catholic universities in Florida, Saint Leo is one of the nation's 10 leading providers of higher education to the U.S. military, and is a nationally recognized leader in online education.

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