Paul La Camera '64 lauds time at HC
Lauren Olney
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: News
"Holy Cross is where I got my soul" explained Paul La Camera, Class of 1964. La Camera was invited back to the halls of Holy Cross to deliver the Thomas More lecture last Tuesday, as he spoke about both his private and public life, and about his time spent at Holy Cross.
According to the Holy Cross website, the purpose of the Thomas More lecture is to honor a graduate who exemplifies the college's dedication to the integration of faith and learning. The alumnus or alumna is invited to speak about his or her own profession, vocation, and the ethical opportunities and challenges faced there.
La Camera described himself as a "life-long Bostonian… all things Kennedy," and a self proclaimed cranky person of his generation. He is also a father of three boys, all HC grads as well. But above all, he described how his life was forever changed because of Holy Cross and everything that it has taught him. He explained how he did not regard himself as a great student; rather he found himself to be more immature and resistant throughout his college years. Encouragingly, he also stated that Holy Cross taught him that "there is always a place for a C+ student to contribute."
Two events stood out in La Camera's mind when reflecting on his four years on the hill. The first was when he was a member who planned the graduation activities for his class, and he attempted to nominate Michael Harrington for an honorary degree that year. The college was quick to reject the idea after Harrington, an avid socialist, turned towards atheism during his early life. La Camera questioned how such an influential man could be turned away because of religious faltering at an early age.
The second event was when President Johnson accepted an honorary degree at La Camera's commencement on June 10th, 1964. That was also the same day that Senate passed the Civil Rights Act, and President Johnson first learned of it on the campus of Holy Cross. Paul La Camera remarked how fascinating it was to see politics and religion play such a strong, vital, and connected role in his time at college.
According to the Holy Cross website, the purpose of the Thomas More lecture is to honor a graduate who exemplifies the college's dedication to the integration of faith and learning. The alumnus or alumna is invited to speak about his or her own profession, vocation, and the ethical opportunities and challenges faced there.
La Camera described himself as a "life-long Bostonian… all things Kennedy," and a self proclaimed cranky person of his generation. He is also a father of three boys, all HC grads as well. But above all, he described how his life was forever changed because of Holy Cross and everything that it has taught him. He explained how he did not regard himself as a great student; rather he found himself to be more immature and resistant throughout his college years. Encouragingly, he also stated that Holy Cross taught him that "there is always a place for a C+ student to contribute."
Two events stood out in La Camera's mind when reflecting on his four years on the hill. The first was when he was a member who planned the graduation activities for his class, and he attempted to nominate Michael Harrington for an honorary degree that year. The college was quick to reject the idea after Harrington, an avid socialist, turned towards atheism during his early life. La Camera questioned how such an influential man could be turned away because of religious faltering at an early age.
The second event was when President Johnson accepted an honorary degree at La Camera's commencement on June 10th, 1964. That was also the same day that Senate passed the Civil Rights Act, and President Johnson first learned of it on the campus of Holy Cross. Paul La Camera remarked how fascinating it was to see politics and religion play such a strong, vital, and connected role in his time at college.
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