Bob Conroy, Ideal Bonaventure Man
 The late Robert C. Conroy was named the Ideal Bonaventure Man, St. Bonaventure University’s highest student award, when he graduated in 1948.
He would forever remain a dedicated and loyal Bonaventure man, serving the University in a number of key administrative roles for some 35 years and becoming widely regarded as “a true son of St. Bonaventure” and the University’s unofficial goodwill ambassador.
Conroy started working in the alumni office in 1957 and later became alumni director, then director of estate planning. He was also an assistant to the president for community relations, and after his 1992 retirement continued working as a consultant.
During his long tenure he founded the Devereux Society to recognize major donors, received national honors for the most improved annual fund drive from the American Alumni Council, and directed the University’s first $1 million fund drive.
He fashioned St. Bonaventure’s successful alumni reunion program and was named alumnus of the year in 1960.
A familiar sight at reunions, basketball games and University gatherings throughout the Northeast, Conroy was known for his ever-present smile and his “good news” reports about the University and its alumni.
John and Carolyn Connors established the Robert C. Conroy Memorial Parish Internship Program in 2003, shortly after Conroy’s death.
“Bob exuded what St. Bonaventure is all about,” said John Connors. “He was a very humble person. He cared for others more than he did himself.”
|
 Learn more about John and Carolyn Connors, what St. Bonaventure means to them, and why they support a range of university initiatives.
Click Here
|
The Robert C. Conroy Memorial Parish Internship Program was established by John, ’58, and Carolyn Connors in 2003 in honor of SBU alumnus and longtime employee Bob Conroy. This is an ecumenical internship program that has the goal of allowing students to explore issues related to their faith and life issues of social justice, peace and the classroom.
What might an intern do?
Parish interns are involved in various types of ministries. As an intern you might help the parish organize and implement a service project; you might teach in a religious education program, or you could be an advocate within a church for various issues related to social justice. Interns in the past have also worked with children’s ministries, youth groups and helped with liturgical planning and leadership. The options are numerous.
What are the internships about?
The internships are based broadly within the tradition of the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
- Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Call to Family, Community and Participation
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
- The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
- Solidarity
- Care for God’s Creation.
Interns serve in parishes as a method of making these guidelines of Christian living a reality. In planning service, advocacy and education projects with the parish, interns and parish members are challenged to make deep connections between these social teachings and parish life.
How do you get involved?
If you would like more information or to apply, contact Sr. Suzanne M. Kush in the Thomas Merton Center: (716) 375-2358 or skush@sbu.edu.