BROOKLYN AND PATCHOGUE, NY – NOVEMBER 16, 2007 - It is with a great sense of loss and sorrow that St. Joseph’s College announces the death of its former President, Sister George Aquin O’Connor. Sister George passed away after battling a brief illness on Nov. 15 at age 86.

Born in Astoria in 1921, the former Margaret O’Connor entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1943. While working to the final profession of her vows, she earned her undergraduate degree from Hunter College, her graduate degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in Sociology from New York University. In 1946, Sister George Aquin began what was ultimately a 50-year career at St. Joseph’s as an instructor of sociology. As a professor, her diverse scholarly interests and commitment to meticulous research earned her several prestigious fellowships from Ohio State University and Cornell University.

“As President, Sister George gave courageous, visionary leadership to the College, guiding it through some very difficult early days and bringing it to a position of fiscal security and academic excellence,” said current President of St. Joseph’s College, Sister Elizabeth A. Hill, C.S.J., J.D. “Her breadth of knowledge, exacting standards, insight and wit will be remembered by her many students with great affection and appreciation and the fruits of her labors will continue to provide abundant blessings for the College as a whole.”

After 28 years as President, Sister George retired in 1997 and was succeeded by Sister Elizabeth Hill. Immediately following her retirement, the main building on the Long Island campus was renamed O’Connor Hall in recognition of her dedicated service to the College community.

Sister George Aquin O’Connor will be waked at the St. Joseph’s College Brooklyn Campus Convent on Sunday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 19 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of All Saints Church in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 10:00 a.m., and burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Brentwood. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Sister George Aquin O’Connor Scholarship Fund at 245 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility, and service. With campuses located in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn and in Patchogue, Long Island, the College offers degrees in over 22 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs through its School of Arts and Sciences and its School of Professional and Graduate Studies.