Richard Johnson of Springfield Receives Religious Studies Award at Elms College

CHICOPEE, MA (05/20/2010)(readMedia)-- Richard Johnson of Springfield, Massachusetts, received the Monsignor O'Neill Award for Excellence in Religious Studies at Elms College's annual Honors Convocation. The award recognizes the priority of religious studies and its importance in giving meaning to academic endeavor. It is granted to a student who has achieved high academic standing in religious studies classes and who has contributed significantly to church and community.

The award honors the memory of Monsignor Jeremiah O'Neill, a priest distinguished for his deep concern for promoting excellence in theological studies as manifested in his own search for truth.

Johnson, who is majoring is religious studies, will begin his senior year at Elms in September.

Elms College is a co-educational, Catholic college offering a liberal arts curriculum that gives students multiple perspectives on life. Founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Elms College has a tradition of educating reflective, principled, and creative learners, who are rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, responsive to civic and social obligations, and capable of adjusting to change without compromising principle.