Niagara University Honors Four During Annual Vincentian Heritage Convocation

Niagara University honored four individuals who exemplify the Vincentian charism on Thursday, Sept. 25, during the university's annual Vincentian Heritage Convocation, the signature event of a weeklong celebration highlighting NU's rich history of education and service in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. This year's theme, "Anchored in Hope," is inspired by the Jubilee of Hope, 2025, as declared by late Pope Francis.

This year's honorees were Dr. Youngsoo Choi, associate professor in Niagara University's College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management; E. Bryan DalPorto, retired superintendent of the Niagara Falls, N.Y. Police Department; Ava Palo, a senior political science major at NU; and the Rev. Emmet J. Nolan, C.M., '87, pastor of Parróquia San Vincent de Paul, Soloy, Republic of Panama, who also gave the keynote address.

Father Nolan received an honorary doctor of pedagogy degree in appreciation of a life devoted to faith, service, and the Vincentian mission that took him to remote villages of Panama, inner-city neighborhoods of Brooklyn, and seminary classrooms. His vocation was inspired by the joyful fraternity of Vincentian priests and brothers at St. Joseph's Preparatory Seminary and nurtured as a student at Niagara University, where he developed a lifelong commitment to Vincentian values and the transformative power of ministry among the marginalized. Today, he serves in a vast missionary parish in the mountains of Comarca Ngabe Bugle, Panama, continuing the Vincentian charisma through daily acts of presence, compassion, and courage and serving as a beacon of hope across borders and generations.

Dr. Youngsoo Choi was honored with the Vincentian Mission Award in appreciation for his support of his students; his vision to create a welcoming, global environment on campus; and his dedication to the mission of Niagara University. Dr. Choi integrates global aspects in both his curriculum and via extracurricular engagements with his students, fostering culturally competent perspectives that prepare them to become world citizens, and was instrumental in developing partnerships with several South Korean universities. He also creates a sense of community for international students to make them feel welcome and engaged in campus life. His scholarly activities include research in the areas of tourism destination management and marketing, hospitality human resource management, tourism economics, and hospitality education, and he has been published in several refereed academic journals.

E. Bryan DalPorto received the Founders Award in recognition of his dedication to protecting and serving his country and community. His distinguished 28-year career with the Niagara Falls Police Department took him from days walking a beat on Pine Avenue in his hometown of Niagara Falls, N.Y., to the position of chief of police. Since retiring from the force in 2020, Chief DalPorto has focused on school safety, emergency preparedness, and threat management as director of security for the Niagara Falls City School District and CEO of EBD Security Consulting. His equally distinguished military career with the United States Air Force-New York Air National Guard began in 1997 in the security police flight with the 107th Airlift Wing and concluded with his retirement as inspector general at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Throughout Chief DalPorto's varied roles, community involvement has been an essential component of his leadership, and he has been involved with organizations including Niagara Falls Police Athletic League, the Niagara Falls Block Club, the Niagara Falls Education Foundation, and youth baseball, softball, and hockey leagues.

Palo was recognized with the Rev. Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award for her transformative leadership, her advocacy for those who are often overlooked, and for the generous sharing of her many gifts in the service of others. She is a Vincentian Scholar and has served as president of Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity and of the LSAT Study Group, and as an attorney on the Mock Trial Team, while mentoring peers and supporting the pre-law community with wisdom and generosity. She also has an impressive record of service with Heart Love and Soul and Jewish Family Services, and an immersion in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez deepened her understanding of migrant justice and clarified her vocation to pursue a career in immigration law.