Mayor Kenney Honors SJU Director of Veterans Services Ralph Galati ’70 (USAF) at Wawa Welcome America Festival 2017
PHILADELPHIA (June 27, 2017) — On Tuesday, July 4, the Honorable James F. Kenney, mayor of the City of Philadelphia, will present the Magis Award to Ralph Galati ’70 (USAF), director of veteran services at Saint Joseph’s University, as part of the 2017 Wawa Welcome America Festival.
Magis, which roughly translated, means “the more,” is a Jesuit concept that embodies the spirit of doing more, being more and achieving more than originally thought possible. The award was created in 2016 by Kenney, who received a Jesuit education at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia.
The Magis award recognizes Galati’s service in the United States Air Force and his dedication to the veteran community. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Galati attended USAF Flight Training in 1970, and received his Wings in 1971.
A weapon systems officer in the F-4 Phantom aircraft, Galati was assigned to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand in the fall of 1971. On February 16, 1972, he and his pilot were shot down over North Vietnam and were immediately captured and taken to Hanoi. He spent the next 14 months as a prisoner of war. Ralph was repatriated on March 28, 1973.
Galati’s military awards include: a Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Valor with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
Under Galati’s leadership, SJU’s Office of Veteran’s Services is committed to honoring those who have served our country by offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services for military veterans, service-members, dependents and survivors to pursue their academic goals and achieve their career development objectives.
Mayor Kenney will present Galati with the award during the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall at 10 a.m. on July 4. The ceremony is part of the six-day Wawa Welcome America Festival. The festival celebrates American history, education and Philadelphia and encompasses free, patriotic events throughout the city from June 29 to July 4.
Watch NBC10 or visit thier website to view a promotional video previewing Ralph's award, or a clip from the ceremony.
Latest News Images
- Saint Joseph’s Among Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges”
- SJU and Delaware County Community College Enhance Dual Admission AgreementSeeking to provide students with more affordable opportunities to earn a baccalaureate degree, SJU and Delaware County Community College have enhanced their four-year-old dual admission partnership agreement for students. The new agreement provides significantly more merit scholarship opportunities, as well as more course options for students who are interested in seamlessly transferring to the University.
- James and Frances Maguire Make Transformative Gift of $50 Million to Saint Joseph’s UniversitySaint Joseph’s University announced receipt of a $50 million gift from distinguished alumnus, James J. Maguire, Class of 1958 and his wife, Frances. This extraordinary gift is the largest in the University’s 166-year history and will significantly raise the University’s endowment, supporting scholarships and financial assistance to students and enabling the expansion of signature and mission-centered programs.
- SJU Co-Hosts Jesuit Advancement Administrators Conference with University of ScrantonSJU will co-host advancement administrators from 28 Jesuit colleges and universities across the nation with the University of Scranton for the Jesuit Advancement Administrators (JAA) conference, July 9 to 11. JAA operates under the umbrella of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), which is located in Washington, D.C.
- Saint Joseph’s to Host Fourth Annual Ignatian Leadership ConferenceSJU will host the fourth annual Ignatian Leadership Conference on Friday, July 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suitable for participants in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, the conference explores leadership through the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, who is often referred to as one of the most effective leaders in human history.
- SJU President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., Named to Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Board of DirectorsUniversity President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., was appointed to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Board of Directors on July 1, 2017. Dr. Reed’s term ends in February, 2020.