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Spring/Summer 2005 Vol. 7, No. 1 Donald and Eleanor Taffner made their mark on popular culture. Now they’re doing the same for education. If you’ve made a direct gift to the University or attended an event for which you paid a fee in the last year, you are automatically considered an annual contributor to St. John’s. Your donation supports an advanced education for deserving students and entitles you to myriad discounts and services from our family of corporate partners. Once you receive your Annual Contributor Card in the mail, take advantage of these great benefits: I Retail discounts at Jos A. Bank, 1-800-Flowers, P.C. Richard & Son and the Queens and Staten Island campus bookstores New partners are added regularly, so be sure to visit I No annual fee, fraud protection and more with the St. John’s MBNA MasterCard www.sjualumni.com for a I Savings on home loans and refinancing with Washington Mutual complete and updated list I Travel offers at over 3,500 hotels nationwide including Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Sheraton, Westin Luxury Resorts, Wingate and Travelodge, with of the service providers. Club Quarters and Alamo and Avis Rent-A-Car For more information I Insurance savings with Liberty Mutual, Marsh, CIGNA Dental on becoming an annual I Specials on all GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT test prep services with Princeton Review contributor, log on to I Reduced membership rates at The Williams Club www.giving.stjohns.edu, I Discounted dining at Mickey Mantle’s and Patsy’s restaurants in Manhattan call (718) 990-6232, toll free I Free or group rate University services including library access, career advisement at (877) SJU-ALUM or through The Career Center and tickets to alumni and some athletic events e-mail [email protected] president’s message Vol. 7, No. 1 Spring/Summer 2005 Summertime provides an opportunity to review the events of the academic Publisher year just ended and to plan for the future. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. President This spring, our St. John’s family was saddened by the passing of Pope John Paul II, a true and humble servant of God whose simple but eloquent Dave Wegrzyn Vice President holiness changed our world for the better. I will forever cherish my personal for Institutional Advancement memories of being in the presence of this dynamic successor to St. Peter, Catherine Camera ’65CBA and marveling at the sense of love and spirituality that seemed to flow from Contributing Editor the very core of his being. Our University community came together to pray Editorial Staff for him and for continued blessings on his successor, Pope Benedict XVI. Valerie Peters We were delighted to see so many of you returning to alma mater in Editor June for the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend. The opportunity to renew Lisa France friendships and relive shared memories is indeed priceless, and our guests Writer/Associate Editor repeatedly marveled at the changes on the Queens campus since their Danielle Bushell Alumnotes student days. One of those changes is the new athletic field house, which is nearly complete and on schedule for its anticipated September opening. Named to The St. John’s Alumni Magazine is published by the honor Donald and Eleanor Taffner, this wonderful addition to our Queens Division of Institutional campus will contain two basketball courts for team sports, including state- Advancement for alumni, staff, faculty and friends of St. John’s. of-the-art weight and medical training facilities, as well as two addition- Send address changes to: al courts and lounge space that can be used by all members of our Lisa Capone University community. Office of Institutional Advancement St. John’s University I am happy to report that our Campaign for St. John’s – Fulfilling the 8000 Utopia Parkway Dream has surpassed the $239 million mark toward our overall goal of Queens, NY 11439, by fax to (718) 990-1813, $250 million. The generosity shown by our loyal alumni and friends has by e-mail to [email protected] made a difference in the lives of our students in so many ways, and will or return the enclosed form. continue to do so for generations to come. Correspondence: All of us at St. John’s are eagerly awaiting the start of our new academic The Alumni Magazine staff welcomes your thoughts and comments. year. As we look forward to the return of those students who are continuing Please address letters to: their studies with us, we anticipate welcoming another large and intellectually Editor, Alumni Magazine St. John’s University inquisitive class of new undergraduate and graduate students to our campuses. 101 Murray Street These wonderful young people are about to immerse themselves in the New York, NY 10007 or e-mail [email protected] unique St. John’s experience, and we wish them well as they embark on Letters and articles may be edited that marvelous journey. for publication. As we welcome students for the next academic year, we also welcome all Consistent with the University’s mission as a Catholic, Vincentian and metropolitan institution of you, our graduates. I invite you to return to campus as often as possible, of higher education, the University abides by all applicable federal, state and local laws which whether to attend Mass in our beautiful St. Thomas More Church, enjoy prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, the excitement of a Red Storm athletic event or participate in one of the color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital many alumni gatherings scheduled throughout the year. Please remember status or disability in admitting students to its programs or in administering its educational that you will always have a home at St. John’s. policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletics and other institutionally Thank you for your ongoing support, and for being such an integral part administered programs or activities generally made available to students at the University. In accordance of all that we do here. May God bless you today, tomorrow and always. with these laws, the University also prohibits retaliation against anyone who has complained about discrimination or otherwise exercised rights guaranteed under these laws. In addition, the University continually strives to fulfill its educational goals by maintaining a fair, humane, responsible and non-discriminatory environment for all students Donald J. Harrington, C.M. and employees. All University policies, practices and procedures are administered in a manner which preserves its rights and identity as a Catholic and Vincentian institution of higher education. 2 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine contents features 16 Not even the Taffners suspected their enterprising pursuits would affect generations of TV viewers around the world. This archetypal American success story begins and ends in India where 22 tradition is celebrated through inheritance. departments 4 noteworthy 28 A look at two lives changed forever 9 up front by the generosity of strangers Student Managed Investment Fund is the first in a series examining the impact Securities Arbitration Clinic Remembering Pope John Paul II of support to the Capital Campaign. 32 campus briefs Bricks and Mortar Update Alumni Art 40 giving back 42 alumnotes 52 a conversation Visit our Web site for the latest updates, news and events at www.sjualumni.com or call (877) SJU-ALUM. noteworthy Founder’s Week Highlights Heritage On January 25, 1617, St. Vincent Ramirez, who received the de Paul preached the first sermon of Caritas Medal; Antoinette Bosco, the mission in Folleville, France. To who received the Elizabeth honor that occasion, every year since Ann Seton Medal; James 1995 Founder’s Week is celebrated at DeFranco ’60P, who received St. John’s as a time of reflection on the the St. Vincent de Paul University’s Vincentian heritage. Last Medal; Paula (’98C, ’01GEd) year’s theme, “Building Communities and her sister Victoria Migliore of Hope,” was expressed through a ’98C, ’01GEd, who received the series of lectures, luncheons, panel President’s Medal; Henry discussions, a Mass and a special Humphreys ’50CBA, who convocation. Those honored at the received the Doctor of Humane Vincentian Convocation for their service Letters honoris causa; and Very to the poor were: Charles Clark, who Reverend G. Gregory Gay, C.M., Pictured, standing from l., are Charles Clark; Paula Migliore; Victoria Migliore; Miguel Ramirez; Henry Humphries; and President Donald J. Harrington, C.M. received the Vincentian Mission Award; who received the Doctor of Seated, from l., are Very Reverend G. Gregory Gay, C.M.; James DeFranco; Sr. Elaine Roulet, C.S.J. and Miguel Humane Letters honoris causa. Sr. Elaine Roulet, C.S.J.; and Antoinette Bosco. Former SEC Head Speaks Alums by Matthew Chase ’05L and Jordan Costa ’05L Gear Up Harvey Pitt ’68L, ’02HON visited the pointed to three recent events as More than 200 participants Queens campus in February to deliver examples of how corporate directors’ remarks at the School of Law on responsibilities have changed: the attended the 16th annual the changing standards by which Emerging Communications, Inc. “Gear Up” Business and “outside” corporate directors — decision handed down by the Delaware Individual Tax seminars those not employed as officers of Chancery Court, which held an outside the company — will be judged. corporate director personally liable sponsored by the Tobin Pitt, the 26th chairman of the for approving an unfair transaction College of Business Alumni Securities and