Neumann will present an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to J. Eustace Wolfington, executive producer of the film Cabrini, on December 18 during a winter graduation ceremony for approximately 200 students.
Pending the results of final exams, the university will award three associate degrees, 136 bachelor's degrees, 57 master's degrees, and two doctoral degrees at a 6:30 p.m. ceremony, officiated by Dr. Chris Domes and Board Chair Anthony Latini in the Mirenda Center.
Wolfington first distinguished himself as a pioneer in the automobile retail leasing business. With a background as the owner of a successful Chevrolet dealership in West Philadelphia, he founded Half-A-Car, an automotive consulting firm. That concept revolutionized the retail car industry and, over the next 40 years, was adopted by more than 4,000 dealerships worldwide.
More recently, he has committed his considerable talent and resources to the production of movies with a moral message. The most significant of these films is Cabrini.
The film tells the powerful story of Mother Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Despite poor health, she uses her political savvy and determination to fight for the equality, health, and happiness of immigrant orphans.
Today, she is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of immigrants.
Wolfington is a devotee of Mother Cabrini and believes that her legacy -- using her considerable talent and energy in the service of others – is a lesson worth learning for today’s generations and those of the future.
Neumann hosted an early screening of Cabrini as part of the 2024 Neumann Inspires Film Festival in April. Wolfington was a panelist in a post-screening discussion of the film with an audience that filled the 300-seat Meagher Theatre on campus.
“Throughout his career, Eustace has made his mark as a global entrepreneur, innovative business leader, and generous philanthropist,” said Dr. Domes. “For his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to Catholic education and dedication to Mother Cabrini, Neumann University is proud to award him the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.”