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Jack Conroy savors his Ph.D. at age 71
Courtesy of Notre Dame Magazine
Grandfather and grandson, Jack and John Conroy of Naples, as fellow students at Notre Dame.
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About six years ago, you did an article about my retiring from the commercial real estate business and going to Notre Dame for a Ph.D.
Well, less than a month ago, I received my degree.
The experience of being an older person — I’m now 71 — in class with younger colleagues was superb. I had the chance to be a student simultaneously with my grandson, John, for three years, and that was likely the first time in ND history that a grandson and grandfather were students at the same time.
Finally, it is likely that I was the oldest person to receive an academic degree from the school. It was great!
I now have a Ph.D. in theology; my specialty was Hellenistic Judaism and Christian origins. The subdivision of the Theology Department in which I studied is called “The Center for the Study of Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity.”
I am now teaching for the Blessed Edmund Rice School for Pastoral Ministry; I teach scripture, both Hebrew and Greek. The school offers masters’ degrees and diplomas oriented toward people who are laity or prospective deacons in the Catholic Church; we are affiliated with Barry University.
Rice School has headquarters with Arcadia address, but classes are held in classrooms in various parishes; last semester, I traveled to Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Venice each Monday evening; this semester I’ll be teaching an introduction to the Old Testament at St. William’s Parish in North Naples. Teachers come to the students..
My grandson is going to be a senior. He will apply to law school and defer beginning for one year. During that year, he will see if he can make it in the music business. He is very talented as both a songwriter and a performer, having made one CD already in Nashville.
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Congrats, Jack! That's a great accomplishment -
#1 Posted by sally1860 on July 20, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Done, Jack!
We knew you were destined for great things after your wonderful RCIA scripture lessons. Good Luck to your grandson, too
#2 Posted by bigedroo on July 23, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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