July 12, 2013
President John Garvey and L.R. Poos, dean of arts and sciences, have presented an honorary degree to veteran British Parliamentarian Lord Cormack in recognition of his mentorship of hundreds of Catholic University students as part of CUA's summer Westminster parliamentary internship program.
In a June 21 ceremony at London's House of Lords, Garvey and Poos presented Cormack, formerly Sir Patrick Cormack, a Doctor of Letters honoring both his service to CUA and his career in politics. About a dozen University alumni - some who participated in the internship and others who live in London - attended the ceremony and a reception afterward.
A member of the Conservative Party, Cormack has run the London part of the internship program for 25 years. He served in the House of Commons for 40 years before stepping down, becoming a peer, and joining the House of Lords. Poos notes that during the internship Cormack teaches a seminar on the British political system and British society. He also "goes out of his way" to develop a network of Members of Parliament (MPs) ensuring that the politicians give Catholic University students meaningful experiences that include working in the constituencies and doing research, Poos adds. "For more than 25 years, Lord Cormack has dedicated himself to this program, which in my view is uniquely invaluable for our students, and all in the interests of continuing to forge better understanding between the United States and the United Kingdom," Poos says.
"Almost without exception when I talk to alumni who did the program when they were CUA students they recall it as one of the most memorable and formative experiences of their student days. Lord Cormack has demonstrated that he is a true friend of Catholic University."