Alvernia University Names Spring Commencement Speaker

READING, Pa., April 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John Carr, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, will be awarded an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters before offering remarks to the Alvernia University Class of 2017 at Commencement, May 13, 2 p.m., Santander Arena, Reading, Pa.

In his role at Georgetown University, Carr seeks to share Catholic social thought more broadly and reach out to a new generation of leaders to help them become "salt, light and leaven" in public life. He is also a Washington correspondent of "America Magazine" and writes its Washington Front column.

Carr served for over 20 years as director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, assisting the bishops in sharing Catholic social teaching and directing their public policy and advocacy efforts on major domestic and international issues. He represented the Bishops' Conference before Congress, at the Vatican, across the U.S., and around the world. In addition, he assisted the bishops on a wide range of statements, including Faithful Citizenship, Communities of Salt and Light and documents on economic justice, healthcare, environment and climate change, criminal justice and the death penalty, religious liberty and war and peace.

A leader at the intersection of faith and public life for more than two decades, Carr frequently appears in the media addressing Pope Francis' leadership, links between faith and public life and issues of poverty, environment, human life, dignity and international affairs. He founded Circle of Protection, a religious advocacy coalition that defends the poor and vulnerable. In addition, Carr served as Executive Director of the White House Conference on Families for President Carter and as Director of the National Committee for Full Employment with Coretta Scott King.

ALVERNIA is a thriving university that empowers students through real-world learning to discover their passion for life, while providing the education to turn what they love into lifetimes of career success and personal fulfillment, helping them make the world a better place. Situated on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pa., the university of more than 3,000 students offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors and a range of graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels.

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SOURCE Alvernia University