2009 Millor Orator

Rev. Robert Niehoff, S.J.; Samantha Cocco '09; Ryan Daly '99 (Advancement) a previous Millor Orator

In honor of the late Rev. William J. Millor, S.J., who served the University for more than 28 years, a committee of faculty, administrators, and the senior class have selected a graduating senior to be the only student speaker at commencement.

The 2009 Millor Orator is Samantha Lark Cocco from Poland, Ohio, near Youngstown.

Samantha’s resume is an amazing compendium of regional, national, and international service and cross-cultural experiences.

She was intimately involved with The Labre Project, in which John Carroll students offer food, clothes, and friendship every Friday night to Cleveland’s homeless community; Campus Ministry retreats; Take Back the Night; and Every Two Minutes. Samantha was also the co-founder of World View Magazine at the University and a three-year member on the leadership team of John Carroll’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life, including a role as the co-chairperson. She participated, coordinated, and served as a work-study assistant for a number of immersion experiences. Sam also was honored with the Danford Award from Campus Ministry and the Outstanding Student Leader Award at the end of her senior year.

In her Millor Orator application, Samantha wrote about two service activities that were particularly life-changing for her: The Labre Project and a week-long immersion experience in Duran, Ecuador, with 11 other students and faculty, where she served at a care facility for people with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy.

Her experience there inspired her to apply for two years of post-graduate service with Jesuit Volunteers International. Samantha left in early August to teach English, theology, math, and music on the Island of Pohnpei in Micronesia.