Brooklyn’s own Father John P. Cush, academic dean at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University Oct. 20. Presenting Father Cush, center, with a laurel wreath – a symbol of his victory – were Jesuit Father Diego Alonso-Lasheras, censor, left, and Jesuit Father Gerard Whelan, moderator.