Georgetown University awarded an honorary degree to the founder of a nationwide school network for low-income students Tuesday.
Rev. John P. Foley, S.J. began the Cristo Rey Network in 1995 at a single school in downtown Chicago, and has since expanded to 19 schools serving nearly 10,000 students. To pay for the schools, students work at local businesses one day a week.
University President John DeGioia praised Foley’s innovation as “[giving] students the opportunity to take ownership of their education and their future” at the Tuesday ceremony.
The work students do at businesses like Merrill Lynch, New York Life and Nike funds nearly 75% of the programs.
“You’ve done so much for so many of us,” Cristo Rey alumnus Karina Ramirez said to Foley at the ceremony. “You’ve shared with us a ray of hope.”
