On February 11, the College awarded Zejnel Kelmendi, president of the University of Pristina, with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Members of the La Roche College Board of Trustees, students, staff and faculty attended the ceremony, held in the Ryan Room.

"The leadership of the man we are honoring today is appreciated not only by his students in his homeland, but also his countrymen," said Monsignor William Kerr, La Roche president, who presented Mr. Kelmendi with the degree.

The citation accompanying the degree stated that Kelmendi ".has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the belief that higher education should play a key role in supporting the search for sustainable peace and the development of civil society.(and) has endorsed the principles of the Pacem In Terris program and built lasting ties between the University of Pristina and La Roche College."

"In the Balkans, and especially in Kosovo, times are changing," remarked Kelmendi in his acceptance speech. "There is a new generation (of Kosovars) emerging with a clear mind and a richer soul. These people may not yet have the economic and political power, but they are a generation that will succeed in the future."

In September of last year, Kelmendi bestowed a similar honor on Monsignor Kerr at the University of Pristina, awarding him with an honorary doctoral degree from that institution. One of the goals of the partnership between the University of Pristina and La Roche is to assist Kelmendi and other leaders in his nation as they work to reform Kosovo's educational system. More than 20 students from Kosovo are currently enrolled in La Roche's Pacem In Terris program.