“Never Stop Learning”

May 05, 2016

Michael Pope

Profile of 92-Year-Old Michael Pope '16 featured in May 5 edition of 'Daily News'


Congratulations to SJC Long Island's Michael Pope '16, who captured headlines today in the New York Daily News. Pope, a 92-year-old World War II veteran, will graduate with his bachelor's in English on May 21 during the school's commencement ceremony at NYCB Theater in Westbury.

When the Daily News heard about Pope's impending graduation, the paper reached out to learn more about the Remsenburg resident.

"My mother always said you must never stop learning. So that's what I've done,” he told the Daily News. "I want to study French and I'm interested in the history of Long Island. I will never stop accumulating knowledge."

After serving in World War II, Pope became a noted authority in the power-plant field and a renowned specialist in fossil fuel-fired plants of all types. His expertise earned him two “Man of the Year” awards (1973, 1979) from Engineering News-Record for service to the construction industry and the “Award of Honor” from the American Consulting Engineers Council for developing Fluidized Bed Combustion Technology (1979). Pope was co-founder, partner and CEO of Pope Evans and Robbins, Inc. He later established a second consulting firm, where he served as president until retiring in 2004.

Pope was featured in the St. Joseph's College digital magazine in 2015. View our full interview here. 

“[Studying liberal arts] was a dream for me. I had read Shakespeare on my own, but I never read it with a scholar,” Pope said. “I don’t have many years left, but it’s been so enriching to have these experiences.”

Hats off to Michael Pope, and all of our Class of 2016 graduates!

Michael Pope at the Military Graduate Recognition ceremony earlier this year.

Michael Pope '16 shakes the hand of Senior Vice President Christopher Frost, Ph.D., at the Military Graduate Recognition ceremony earlier this year.