Dr. John Edwards, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Undergraduate Education and Programs Professor of Religious Studies, kindly received the Torch-Bearer Award on behalf of St. Francis College.

A brief history taken from the College website... "In 1858, a group of Franciscan Brothers from Ireland came to Brooklyn to educate the large numbers of immigrants arriving in America, opening St. Francis Academy in 1859...

Inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, the college prepares students to serve and thrive in a global community and help shape a just society...

Today, St. Francis has more than 4,500 students and 20,000 alumni. Students represent over 70 countries and 40 plus languages...

The College’s mission of providing a first-class, attainable, high quality education to individuals of all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds with a special focus on working class New Yorkers; firmly planted in our Franciscan values of community, collaboration, and connection continues today, just as the Franciscan Brothers envisaged more than 165 years ago."