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 Exchange Commission because of his specialized financial (SEC) from 2001 to 2003, was expertise; the Disney shareholders suit Association. The sessions, responsible for overseeing SEC responses over Michael Ovitz’s $140 million held over three days at the to market disruptions resulting from severance package, where the directors

th Uniondale Marriott in Long the September 11 terrorist attacks, could be held personally liable for creating the SEC “real-time enforce- its approval; and the Enron and Harvey Pitt Island, NY, allow attendees ment” program and leading the adop- WorldCom class action, where to earn a continuing tion of dozens of rules in response to plaintiffs demanded and received a corporate and accounting crises. settlement that directors will personally professional education During his lecture, Pitt spoke about pay part of despite the presence of certificate. recent corporate scandals and the insurance coverage. He also spoke duty that board members have to about the numerous measures directors shareholders to guide and direct can take to protect shareholders and management. In his remarks, he avoid personal liability.

4 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine Hartigan Forum Held

During The School of Education Hartigan Career Forum COACH program, 11 alumni coaches shared their wisdom and work experiences with 90 student-teachers. Rhia Warren ’71Ed (second from l.), superintendent of District 28 in Queens, was the keynote speaker who discussed how student-teachers should prepare for future job interviews. Also pictured from l. are attendees Lawone Hunter ’05Ed; Francina Yaw ’05Ed; and Rosemary McHugh ’05Ed.

New Chapter Debuts CHAPTER FANS by Peter O’Reilly ’69CBA, ’74MBA

The latest east coast alumni Chapter. Members met for a group visit to a local Tides chapter is up and running! the first time in March at a ball game. For more information Open to the more than 400 luncheon for 26 alumni or to join this new chapter, alumni in the geographical and their family members. contact Steve Martini ’64CBA area that includes the central, A Leadership Council was at [email protected] southeastern and eastern formed to plan activities for shore of Virginia, plus the the coming months including Members of the Greater northeastern portion of events such as golf outings, Hampton Roads-Richmond North Carolina, is the Greater a “Day at the Races,” a dinner Chapter and their families From l., Mike Bart ’85CBA; Hampton Roads-Richmond cruise, shows, a picnic and after their first meeting. Joe DiPietro ’88CBA; Joe

Giannola ’91CBA, ’93MBA;

Mike Brill ’79MBA; Ernie Feiteira

’98CBA; and Pete Reddy ’94C are

just some of the members of

the Central New Jersey Alumni

Chapter who gathered in

Manalapan, NJ, in February to

watch the Red Storm men’s

basketball team take on

Notre Dame.

Spring/Summer 2005 5 6 noteworthy Alumni Magazine www.nycop.com; and John Rowland of Police captainandpublisher Department York retired New from theevent theStaten IslandScholarshipFund. support Police Proceeds Department. York andlieutenant with theNew sor The 4 Connection Criminal Justice by JenniferRaab’07CPS Group Meets Multicultural he fplc nPrhAby NJ; Edward Reuss chief ofpoliceinPerth Amboy, excelled in thefield:MichaelKohut andstudentstorecognize three alumni who have faculty graduates, on theStatenIslandcampus. promote therecognitionofdiversity planning andholdingeventsto Student Organizationincreating, Organization andtheLatin-American such astheMulticulturalStudent with otherstudentorganizations The MAApartners of multiculturalism. supporting thegrowingimportance Sanders ’99SVCsharefactsandfigures co-founder Theresa Whitman- MAA the StatenIslandcampustohear metat opportunities forstudents, provide financialaidandnetworking whosemembersactively (MAA), Multicultural AlumniAssociation The th nulCiia utc oncinde more than60 Annual Criminal Justice Connectiondrew ’ ’ 4 rgt,anadjunctprofes- (right), 04G 7D cne) ietrand director 77NDC (center), from lastyear. upon theirninthplacefinish after learningtheyimproved could hardlycontaintheirglee undergraduate studentswho made upofbothgraduateand This year'ssquadis in January. FL, Disney World inOrlando, Championships heldat Walt Association CollegeNational Dance/Universal Cheerleaders third attheUniversal John'sDance Team placed St. A LegUpontheCompetition ’ 81NDC (left), in tears.” thegirlswere as thirdplace, Butwhentheycalledus us. fourth placeanditstillwasn't theycalled Then, unbelievable. faceswere on [thestudents'] thelooks and itwasn't us, they announcedfifthplace butwhen was tofinishfifth, “Ourgoal Christine McCarton. saystheircoach excellent,” six placesinoneyearit's “Anytime youcanjump Forming Alumni Association nomto,contactPatricia Campbellat(718)390-4067. information, networking events and mentoring participate intheplanned in theeducationalcommunityareencouragedtojoinand Alumniwhoearneddegreesand/or pursuedcareers College. are graduatesof The School ofEducationandNotreDame to thoseinStatenIslandandsurroundingcommunitieswho held akick-offsessioninFebruary to planhowbestreachout StatenIslandcampus, Association of The School ofEducation, Members ofaplanningboardtoestablishthefirst Alumni social andeducationalopportunities, at firstplacenextyear. competitors McCarton says these strong to the13returning nine newmembersinaddition with recenttryoutsyielding trophy fortheirplacementand, The teamwona for amonth. three timesaweektodaily to increasedpracticesfrom improvement canbeattributed competition. pose afterthe the danceteam Members of McCarton saysthe n upr rus For more and supportgroups. have arealshot girls, COACH Programs Thrive worthy Count On Alumni for Career Help (COACH) events are held throughout the year to bring note successful alums and friends of the University working in various industries together with students to

share their wealth of knowledge From l., Adrienne Edwards; Mabel Abraham; Andrea Barone; and provide mentorship. Janet Giovanelli; and Carolyn Fostel. Women Making History

The Inspiring Women in the Workplace Hot 97 and KISS FM radio stations; Lunch and Leadership COACH program held in March in Adrienne Edwards ’91SVC, attorney honor of National Women's History and independent image and beauty Month brought together five alumnae consultant; Janet Giovanelli ’92C, from a variety of fields offering career editor-in-chief for J-14 Magazine; and advice to roughly 45 students. Mabel Abraham ’94C, ’97G, assistant Carolyn Fostel ’76GEd, assistant dean of external affairs for the College vice president of community relations of Professional Studies, all shared their and marketing manager/writer for career history and spoke about their Astoria Federal Bank; Andrea Barone passion for their work, setting goals ’90C, sales manager for CD101.9, and networking. Joseph McNeil and J. Russell Teagarden Sporting Careers

More than 100 students attended the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions “Lunch with a Leader” COACH programs where guest speakers included civil rights pioneer, chairman of Cultural Diversity Solutions, Inc. and Dean’s Advisory Board member Major General Joseph McNeil ’98HON and J. Russell Teagarden, vice president of clinical practices and therapeutics at Medco Health Solutions, Inc. McNeil spoke in Sports Management Day attendees take to the field. honor of the 45th anniversary of his sit-in with three others at a The 4th Annual COACH Sports Management Day kicked off with a breakfast on the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, which sparked a Queens campus before the students traveled to New Jersey to meet with alumni who national movement of similar protests. Teagarden discussed the work for the New York Jets and New Jersey Nets. After hearing from them about their importance of ethics in pharmacy and urged students to always career experiences and touring the playing facilities, the group returned to New York be guided by the best interest of the patients. City where they toured Madison Square Garden, received more career advice from alumni speakers and attended a networking reception and Red Storm basketball game.

Spring/Summer 2005 7 Study Abroad Celebration worthy Study Abroad participants and faculty gathered to reminisce about the countries they visited and learned in such as Italy, Hungary, France and Vietnam, and raised money for

note a Study Abroad scholarship by holding a raffle. Enjoying the evening were, standing from l., Paula Migliore ’98C, ’01GEd; Frank Biafora ’95C; Rev. James Maher, C.M. ’84C; and Christopher Bazinet. Seated from l. are Hung Le; Vu Hai-yen; Tam Le; Ruth De Paula ’02Ed.D.; Hien Tran; and Hanh Duong.

Career Night

From l., Bill O’Sullivan ’63C; Jack Kaiser ’49C; Linda Farmer ’77SVC; Ralph Addonizio ’69Ed; and Jeff Wengroff ’73CBA are among the more than 20 alumni in the fields of finance, education, coaching, advertising, pharmaceuticals and communications who offered professional advice and networked with students-athletes during a career night sponsored by The Career Center and Athletics.

FAA Activities SI Induction

Staten Island Future Alumni Association (FAA) current and new members who attended the induction ceremony in February are, from l., Rachel Maurer ’07Ed; Lauren Burton ’06CPS; Joseph Hastings ’07CPS; Allison DiFazio ’07CPS; Kristy Horning ’06CPS; Brian Browne ’05CPS; Kevin Clerkin ’07TCB; Maria Vigueras ’07TCB; Diana-Marie L’aventure ’07C; Crystal Vera ’07CPS; and Dena Meawad ’07TCB.

8 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine up front

Investing in the Future

For a group of students, giving back to alma financial assistance. Since the inception of a student in the undergraduate class and says mater isn’t waiting until after graduation. the program, over $180,000 has been he and the others take the responsibility of They are using the knowledge they are awarded through scholarships. picking and choosing the right stock very gaining today to invest in the education of others by playing the market. “It’s an experience that enhances the education of a With their hands-on experience researching, investing in and managing a stock portfolio student in a very demonstrative way. These are students that supports the Student Managed Investment Fund, established in 2001, who will clearly be ready to move into the business world some business majors are responsible for because they will have already learned the process.” the awarding of more than 30 scholarships through a portion of the profits they earned. To participate, potential investors must be McInerney says that the educational value seriously. “It’s like going to work everyday,” accepted into the undergraduate courses of the program is far more important than Gobo says. “We learn a lot from Prof. [Keith] Managing Investment Funds I and II or the the amount of money they make. “This is Moore but we also have to do a great deal graduate class Asset Management offered not some theory class,” he says. “It’s an on our own.” Adding to the research skills through The Peter J. Tobin College of Business experience that enhances the education of a they learn is the advantage of having senior (TCB). Competition is fierce, but once accepted, student in a very demonstrative way. These executives visit the classroom to offer advice select students engage in research and analysis and make recommendations to buy or sell securities based on their findings. Those recommendations are then presented to the University’s Investment Committee, made up of faculty, administrators, alumni and market professionals, for approval on transactions before they are executed. Participants are able to work with real currency thanks to generous seed grants from James Riley ’74CBA, ’75MBA, ’03HON, retired managing director and partner at Goldman, Sachs & Co., who conceived the program, and Thomas McInerney ’64UC, ‘01HON, general partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe. Riley says that participating in class has far-reaching effects beyond knowledge and practice. “This not only gives students real-life experience From l., Student Investment Fund alumni Savitri Singh ’03TCB; Tennille Lopez ’04TCB; Emin managing money, but there is the added Guseynov ’04TCB; Kathrina Magali ’03TCB; and Michael Vida ’04TCB enjoy the reunion. benefit of helping other students,” he says. With the undergraduate fund growing to are students who will clearly be ready to and share their experiences. “These are market more than $1.4 million and the graduate move into the business world because they professionals who have years of experience portion to more than $300,000, and with will have already learned the process.” and are more than willing to come in and share five percent of the average market value Some of the sound investments have that wealth of knowledge with the students,” being available for student aid annually, included the purchase of stocks like Dell, says Professor Keith Moore. “The students can it means a great deal to those receiving E-bay and Gillette. Kristopher Gobo ’05TCB is ask questions and gain direction from them.”

Spring/Summer 2005 9 up front

Such interaction with successful business impressed with how well the students “This not only people may also provide valuable networking have done and how they are helping opportunities. Riley points out that the their fellow students.” In March, the gives students real-life sophistication of the program and its success St. John’s Investment Management has opened doors for many former students. Conference was organized where more experience managing “It also works as a resume builder for those than 100 participants from as far away as money, but there is the working on the fund,” Riley says. “One of Colorado attended at the Manhattan the interesting things we found is that it campus to hear speakers from several added benefit of helping gives them a conversation starter with organizations including the American potential employers when something like Stock Exchange, Goldman Sachs and other students.” this is on their resume.” That was the Morgan Stanley. That same month a experience of Michael Menken ’02TCB, reunion of current and former investors ’04MBA who is currently working as a of the Student Investment Fund was held senior specialist for Merrill Lynch. “Since the to network and celebrate the success program is fairly new, people were intrigued of the program. by it when they saw it listed on my resume,” he remembers. “In business, it taught me so many things about looking at the market in general. But there is the greater good in Student Places In Barron’s Challenge that it goes towards an endowment for a When it comes to investments, Marvin student, and for that reason, you have to be even more protective of those investments Gagliardotto ’05MBA knows his stuff. He you make.” came in seventh out of more than 1,100 Omar Ansari ’06TCB, a finance major, is participants in the 2004 Barron's Challenge, just one of the students who is benefiting a competition requiring students to establish from the protective nature of the investors. a hypothetical portfolio and invest a theoretical Originally from Pakistan and now living $100,000 in various stocks. The finance major in Bayside, NY, Ansari heard about the has been trading since the age of 18 and scholarship in class but became even more working in the financial sector since he was impressed when he learned how it was 23. Still, the competition was challenging given made possible. “If I didn’t get this financial that the time allotted for trading was slightly aid, I wouldn’t be able to attend college,” more than a scant three months. “I used more he says. “It’s an honor to receive the of a market psychology,” Gagliardotto says. scholarship and it’s a great idea to offer “A lot of the market moves with the daily insight to students by allowing them to Marvin Gagliardotto invest. The fact that it helps other news, and I came at it from that perspective.” students is even better.” His picks included AIG, Marsh and McLennon K. Thomas Liaw, chairman and professor and Sirius Satellite. of economics and finance at TCB, teaches Gagliardotto entered the competition as part of the graduate Student Investment the graduate class and says that there Fund course taught by Professor Liaw. Gagliardotto, who works as a business analyst are hopes of attracting even more alums with Alexandra Investment Management, LLC in New York City, attended evening to volunteer their time and resources. classes at the Queens campus and says it was a “learning experience” working with “It means everything to the students to the other students in the assets management class and he was pleased with his know that they have the support of the placement in the investment competition even though it was only hypothetical. University community,” he says. “And we “It’s easier to make money and lose money when it’s not yours,” he says laughing. have heard so many positive things from those outside of the program who are

10 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine Legal Aid

For a small investor dealing with an unscrupulous broker, trying to recover funds can be a daunting and expensive task. But the path has gotten a little smoother thanks to a group of hardworking students at an unassuming but strategically located law school clinic. The St. Vincent de Paul Legal Program Inc., Securities Arbitration Clinic opened last year and is one of only a handful of such clinics operating in the country. Tucked away in a corner office on the fourth floor of the Manhattan campus, eight second-year law students are offering free services for underserved New York small investors with legal disputes. The opportunity affords From l. Lydie Pierre-Louis, Velda Murad, program director for the Carter Burden Senior Center, and law them the ability to hone the skills they interns Tim Lyster '05L and Matt Serventi '06L at a seminar held for the attendees at the Senior Center. will need in practice while providing a much-needed service. the tires, so to speak.” And while many of applied last semester for the available positions Students perform all of the legwork the cases can be extremely complex requiring at the clinic where they work two to a team required in assisting someone with a securities hours of preparation for cases, Guttell says and can comfortably handle two cases per dispute in arbitration before the two primary, some broker-dealers are anxious to settle team. “It’s not like reading a case study,” says self-regulatory organizations in the industry — rather than go through arbitration. “For some participant John Arweiler ’06L. “These are the National Association of Securities Dealers clients, we were able to satisfy the conflict complicated, securities issues and we are Dispute Resolution (NASD) and the New with just a phone call, and they were very representing people who are underrepresented. York Stock Exchange (NYSE). That includes appreciative,” he says. I really enjoy getting to the meat of an issue conducting investigations, performing client Because these are non-compete services, with a client.” Members of the clinic also and witness interviews, attending to legal an investor and potential client must meet provide information to the community in the research and drafting all pleadings. certain criteria including already holding a form of investor education seminars they Lydie Pierre-Louis, director of the clinic and claim against a broker-dealer which does not conduct where interested or small investors assistant professor at the School of Law, says exceed $100,000, having no major assets other can learn more about their rights, tips on the students often work at the clinic much than a car and a home and already consulting avoiding potential problems with broker- more than the required 13 hours a week. with, but been denied, representation by at dealers, handling disputes and how to “It operates very much like a law firm least three attorneys. Preference is given to commence arbitration. and they are my junior associates,” says senior citizens like retired health care Mary Daly, dean of the School of Law, Pierre-Louis of the students who are also administrator Joseph Bushe who says he felt says the concept fits in perfectly with the required to attend a weekly two-hour like he had his “own private law firm” when University’s Vincentian values. “This initiates seminar. “There is such a difference between dealing with clinic reps. “The students are very students into the culture of pro bono work,” theory and practice, and what they are professional,” he adds. “They get a fix on your Daly says. “They have an obligation to provide learning at the clinic is nothing like what finances without being intrusive.” The cases they services to those who would otherwise not be they would be getting in the classroom.” have handled range from excessive “churning,” able to afford them.” Launched with the aid Adam Guttell ’05L was in one of the first brokers trading to generate commissions, to of a $200,000 grant from New York State groups of students to work at the clinic and one client who watched almost half his Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the clinic is says he found the experience invaluable. retirement savings slip away while his broker receiving a great deal of attention, especially “I enjoyed being part of something new,” assured him he was making sound investments. since receiving exposure on the Securities he recalls. “We had the opportunity to kick According to Pierre-Louis, 72 students and Exchange Commission’s Web site.

Spring/Summer 2005 11 up front

A Family Mourns

The St. John’s family was deeply saddened by the loss of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. Along with millions of others, we mourned the passing of the Holy Father, a man of strong faith and compassion who touched countless lives during his papacy. His influence and dedication to the values and teachings of the church, and the betterment of humanity, were felt strongly by the entire University community. Whether through private audiences or through acts of inspiration, the personal touch of this Pope was unprecedented, and University officials, alumni and faculty hold dear the memories he left behind. Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. was visiting the Rome campus the day the Pope received last rites. As the events surrounding the Holy Father’s life began to unfold, Fr. Harrington was called upon by the international media to offer his reflections. Even after his death, Pope John Paul II continued to inspire as was evident in Fr. Harrington’s eloquent and moving homily delivered during a “At a formative time in my life, Mass held at St. Thomas More Church. John Paul II stepped onto the world stage, and with conviction Documented here are just a few of and moral courage, stood against the treasured relationships between oppression. I witnessed his active a great man and a great University support of the solidarity movement – Pope John Paul II and St. John’s. in Poland and knew that there was a difference in John Paul – a clarity of purpose. Over years, I’ve been called upon to draw many world leaders but John Paul was never the subject of the stories my art accompanied. When John Paul II passed, he did so with great dignity and meaning. I felt compelled to respond artistically. In my portrait, John Paul is no longer infirm; he is raised up large, with his robes conveying a spiritual quality. The Holy See (the material world) fades on the horizon and the light of the Father welcomes him. In his likeness and

hands I attempted to convey his University of Fine Arts, St. John’s Professor-Department Thomas Kerr, wisdom, courage and strength.”

– Thomas Kerr, associate professor in the Department of Fine Arts and a member of INX, an editorial illustration service. L “We cannot allow this special moment to leave us unchanged. We must ask ourselves, can we be more concerned with the poor? Can we be more dedicated to peace? I issue a challenge to myself and each of you. We have to let God and John Paul II work through us. We cannot say we are touched by this man, we admire and love this man, and not say, ‘What does that call us to be?’” – from Fr. Harrington’s homily delivered at a Mass honoring the life of Pope John Paul II on April 4.

L “It was a beautiful day, really majestic. We were taken to the back of the Vatican to await the Pope’s arrival. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime L opportunity for the team and all of us. He spent “This man has touched a great deal of time with us taking pictures and so many lives in so many I remember he also spent a lot of time talking different ways. Tonight, to one of our players who is Polish. He seemed for example, here in Rome, to enjoy sports. It was an incredible experience my sense is that the soul to be able to see this man and to be able to of Rome is shining forth. stand so close to him.” I presume that’s what’s – thoughts from Men’s Soccer Team Coach David happening all around the Masur ’03Ed.D. who, along with the 1996 NCAA world right now.” championship team, University officials and trustees, met with the Pope during a summer - Fr. Harrington speaking to 1997 trip to Rome. CNN from Rome. up front

L “…the moment arrived and my concept of a profound and deep spiritual exchange quickly evaporated. Before I could speak, the Pope focused on my wife. Out of her purse, she produced a photograph of our two young daughters. He blessed the photo, to bless our daughters from a distance. ‘Are you married?,’ the Pope asked. I was alarmed at the question, but Renée clearly saw the twinkle in his eye, and the playful joke he asked. ‘Yes, we’re married!,’ she firmly replied with a smile, placing her hand on his shoulder the way you would to a grandfather who had just been naughty. ‘No boys?,’ he questioned. ‘No, Holy Father, just girls,’ she replied. He asked the question again, ‘No boys?,’ almost with a sense of whimsy. The story doesn't end on that day. Six months later, the Pope traveled to New York. We attended the Mass at the Aqueduct race track along with 70,000 others. The track was wet from heavy rains the day before and it was a blustery day. ‘The wind is a sign of the Holy Spirit,’ the Pope declared. People cried tears of joy just to see him. It only intensified how blessed we felt to have been with him in a much more personal setting and how overjoyed we were to see our ‘old friend.’”

– memories from Sal (’79P, ’86GP) and Renée (née Brancaleone) Barcia ’80MT, ’88GP who, along with a small group of representatives from several countries, enjoyed a private audience with the Pope in 1985. Special note: their son, Christopher John, was born on Father’s Day the following year. L “I by chance ran into an Archbishop in a doorway in Rome and during our conversation he said that if we could prove we were really married, we could have the Pope renew our vows and that I would have to get a wedding gown and my husband would need a tux. This happened on a Monday and the event was to take place that Wednesday. There were 12 couples and we ended up sitting next to the Pope. To the left of us was a sea of at least 80,000 people and when he spoke, you could hear a pin drop. When you are in the presence of someone so holy, it really is like being one person away from God. Seven years have gone by and it‘s still a shock to me that it all happened.”

– memories from Staten Island resident Dr. Jan (‘93CBA) and Cinzia (née Pranio) Khorsandi '93CBA who had their vows renewed by the Pope during a vacation in Rome in 1998. Courtney Brown 2005

“The atmosphere in Rome was rich with mixed feelings; sadness, sorrow, apathy and slowly turning into joy, excitement and unity. I'm not Catholic, but I couldn’t help but feel connected to the fellow mourners. For the wake, I waited in line for seven hours with three friends the first day the body was moved and revealed. A group of 14 of us St. John’s students slept on the cobblestone path in front of Castel Sant’Angelo right outside of the piazza the night before his funeral.”

- student photographer Courtney Brown ’07C, studying in Rome during the illness and passing of the Pope, reflects on her surroundings. Courtney Brown 2005 Courtney Brown 2005 18 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine SCENE ONE

FADE IN TTAN OFFICE INTERIOR – MANHA Donald Taffner, a young, energetic salesman, arrives for a meeting with an advertising executive. He enters an office where the SCENE TWO meeting is being held. Also present is the FADE IN executive’s administrative assistant, EXTERIOR – ST Eleanor, who gazes up at him as he enters. ROMAN CA . MARTIN OF TOURS THOLIC CHURCH IN BROOKL They sense an immediate connection. A neighborhood candy shop owner, YN DONALD TO ELEANOR AFTER MEETING: William Taffner, approaches the rectory Would you like to join me for after learning one of the monsignors is drinks after work? also selling candy at the parish school. The shop owner knocks on the door and is greeted by a priest.

onald (’53C, ’89HON) and Eleanor Taffner ’94HON WILLIAM: Monsignor, I won't say Mass if are a couple of characters. Not in the pejorative or two-dimensional sense, but rather through their wit, you don't sell candy. Dintellect and effusive personalities, they seem like they could have stepped out of a sitcom or television mini-series. Indeed, the analogy is apropos given that they are pioneers of the entertainment industry responsible for such hits as “Three’s Company” and “Too Close For Comfort,” and for importing the young Donald Taffner learned a great deal from cult classic “The Benny Hill Show” from England. Soul mates watching his father conduct business in his Brooklyn who met and married within six months of that fateful business candy store. There were the early morning hours meeting in 1960, they grew to become true partners amidst A spent preparing newspapers for sale and the customer the backdrop of the changing face of television. Yet, for all of service skills he employed to ensure repeat business. “[Being in the their successes, they are humble and pragmatic about their store] taught me about getting along with people and being able to achievements. “You have to remember where you came from,” talk to people,” Donald now recalls. “It gave me a pronounced says Donald. “There is a world of difference between what we business attitude.” His parents so strongly supported his education are doing now and where I came from.” that his mother cleaned offices at night to help pay his tuition at St. John’s Prep, and later St. John’s College, which was right across the way at Lewis Avenue and Willoughby Avenue. Imbued with that sense of hard work and ambition, Donald took a job as a messenger in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency in 1952. After graduating in 1953, he continued his rise at the agency but not quite in the traditional way. Usually, the mail- room led to a job as a secretary but his poor typing skills destined him to oversee the cassette room where television shows were screened for their salesmen and potential buyers. It was Donald’s job to take care of the pilot films, screening room and the stu- dio room and his on-the-job training included more than just technical expertise. “That’s where I got a lot of my sales experience, from watching the guys sell a show,” Donald reflects. “I would run in and listen while the sales guy made his pitch.”

Spring/Summer 2005 17 SCENE THREE FADE IN

INTERIOR – SCREENING ROOM IN NEW YORK CITY Abe Lastfogel, head of the William Morris Agency in New York, sits and watches a screening of Wyatt Earp projected by Donald Taffner. On the screen, Wyatt Earp rides his horse filmed from the ground up making the horse appear huge. ABE: What do you think of it Don?

Isn’t that the biggestDONALD: horse you ever saw?

Donald (l.) shares a laugh in his office with His Royal Highness Prince ABE: Yeah, you're right. Andrew (c.) in 1988. Donald holds a picture of Eleanor in costume and DISSOL makeup as a haranguing wife used as a prop on the American sitcom “Foot in VE TO NEXT SCENE – SAME SCREENING ROOM the Door,” the adaption of the UK hit “Tom, Dick and Harriet.” Prince Andrew was in town promoting his charity program “Royal Knockout,” which Lastfogel is with a group of Campbell’s Donald sold to the USA Network. At right is Donald Taffner, Jr. Soup advertising executives who are considering buying the Wyatt Earp show. Donald projects show again ending with the advertising agency Dancer, Fitzgerald and Sample and the two the same shot of horse from the ground. quickly realized they shared many of the same values. She was fully supportive of her husband when, in 1963, he decided to form his ABE TO EXECUTIVES: own company. “I thought it was a great idea,” she now says. “There’s Wasn't that the biggest a certain time in your life when you’ve got to move forward horse you ever saw? and do something on your own, and that’s exactly what he did.”

SCENE FOUR onald’s influence over Lastfogel led him to believe he could be successful as a salesman, and executives FADE IN at the agency agreed promoting him to sales agent INTERIOR –TT CONFERENCEAN ROOM Din 1955. It was the golden era of television and its IN MANHA influence was establishing the cultural core of America. Comedies Donald Taffner meets with a group of like “I Love Lucy” and “The Honeymooners” were pervasive in American television executives while living rooms across the country, and advertisers paid well for the attempting to sell an Australian privilege of having their product linked to them with the words television show called “Skippy, The “brought to you by…” There were any number of departments Bush Kangaroo.” Taffner could have gone into since the international theatrical DONALD TO EXECUTIVES: agency handled a variety of entertainment including nightclubs, but Think Lassie, only the he stuck with television because it was fresh and transforming daily. animal is a kangaroo. “The overseas market started to come and it paid so little money that they gave it to the young guys, and I was one of the young guys,” Donald says. Selling to that market meant building rela- ithin a few short months, Donald and Eleanor tionships with executives at the BBC in Britain, CBC in Canada and were nurturing both a growing family with the ABC in Australia. In 1959, he followed the head of his department at birth of their son, Donald, Jr., and a business with William Morris to the New York offices of Paramount Studios and the launch of D. L. Taffner Ltd. in rented space in a worked as a salesman in their newly-created television division. A W suite of Manhattan offices with a mother-in-law keeping the books. year later, he met Eleanor while she was an administrative assistant at Donald leaned on his experience in international television to

18 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine

the series to ABC, CBS and NBC, but the honchos simply balked at the-then racy idea of a single man living with two single women. “We showed it nine times to the three different networks, and every time it was turned down,” Donald recalls. “Finally, ABC said yes.” A testament to their negotiating skills since one way they brought ABC around was by none too subtly letting them know that CBS was close to snagging the show. Once the network gave the go ahead, writers were assigned to work on the pilot, casting began and executives weighed in on what they thought would produce a hit. It would take three pilots, several cast changes and one year before the show finally made it to the small screen. At 9:30 p.m. on March 15, 1977, “Three’s Company” premiered and America soon fell in love with the inhabitants of fictitious apartment number 201 – Jack, Janet and Chrissy. So much so that the show launched the spin-offs “The Ropers” and “Three’s A Crowd,” with which D.L. Taffner Ltd. was also involved. “We knew [“Three’s Company”] was going to be fun, but I didn’t think it would be an evergreen,” Donald reveals. “It’s playing all over the place and has had over 20,000 runs in America.” The same formula worked for “Keep It In The Family,” another British comedy that was Americanized and turned into “Too Close For Comfort” starring venerable actor Ted Knight. “As a producer Eleanor and Donald in the offices of DLT Entertainment. I think you have to decide who the key element is in your series,” he explains. “In ‘Three’s Company’ it was John Ritter and in ‘Too initially act as a buyer of American programming for an Australian Close For Comfort’ if was Ted Knight.” When the network canceled network and stations in Canada. As overseas networks began to the show in 1983, Donald took the unheard of risk of taking over produce more and more of their own programming, there was less production himself. According to author Hal Erickson in the book demand for shows imported from the United States. Forced to Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987 (McFarland rethink the market, Donald focused on representing established & Company Inc., 1989), “the resulting excellent ratings [of the programs produced overseas and selling them in America. His D. L. Taffner Ltd. revived show] opened new doors for the long- first major sale was the popular Australian show “Skippy, The moribund syndicated sitcom market.” Bush Kangaroo” which ran successfully in the U.S. for several years. With a unique set of skills developed due to the relative newness SCENE FIVE of this model, he was able to convince executives at stations in FADE IN Australia, Canada and England to let him represent them stateside. T A TELEVISION STUDIO The Taffners worked tirelessly, traveling across the globe as a fami- INTERIOR – OFFICES A ly, which now included daughter Karen. “I had to do a great deal of Donald Taffner strides confidently into a socializing,” says Eleanor. “Dinners two, three times a week. It was meeting with the head of CBS programming important to the business at the time because Don had to keep holding the script for a new show called “Three Up, Two Down” about a couple and their child close relationships with these people.” “She was always a part of who live upstairs from her mother in one what we were doing,” her husband adds. “I would listen to her and apartment and his father in another. Neither get she would give me ideas.” along but want to be close to their grandchild. Donald would often spot a show airing in an overseas market CBS EXECUTIVE: that he thought might be a good vehicle for a program in America if the premise was tailored for the market. Thus, “Three’s Company” You know, I always wanted to do a show with triplets. was born from the Thames Television hit “Man About The House.” Donald partnered with former president of the now defunct DONALD: DuMont Television Network, Ted Bergmann, and the pair pitched Ok, “Five Up, Two Down."

20 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine ow named DLT Entertainment, the company is Nsynonymous with quality productions including the comedy sketch series “The Benny Hill Show,” which still elicits a devoted following from fans almost 30 years after Donald distilled it from its British version by taking what was a variety show with guests to the sketch show which he introduced to American viewers. His formula was simple – he either found good shows in other countries that he thought audiences would Donald (l.) poses with British novelist and television writer John Mortimer in the window of his Manhattan enjoy in the states or he looked for offices in 1984 behind the engraving “Eleanor’s Building – She Who Must Be Obeyed.” The engraving paid homage to Eleanor for finding the building and to Mortimer’s television show, “Rumpole of the Bailey,” where the impressive scripts that were rejected main character often referred to his wife using this phrase. for some reason or another. “I would just listen to it all, find out what the buyer liked and talk about my The pair also remain involved with alma mater where Eleanor show in terms of what he wanted,” Donald says. The Taffners have serves as a trustee. “I believe in the mission,” she says. “The most slowed down a bit as their son handles more of the day-to-day activ- important thing is that many of these young people today would ities of the business, but the halls of their midtown Manhattan not receive educations were it not for St. John’s.” Donald lends his offices are still ringing with success. In addition to sitcoms, public expertise to students in a course titled “The Business of Film and and cable television is a focus for the company. This spring, it was Television” where he speaks twice a year and encourages other announced that a deal was signed with PBS to show two, 45-minute prestigious people in the industry to give of their time and experience specials of the company’s hit British show “As Time Goes By” star- to the class. “He has been responsible for attracting agents, producers, ring Academy Award-winner Dame Judi Dench. syndicators and many other professionals to come and speak,” says The couple keep busy going to the theater and dinner with friends Frank Brady, chairman of the communications, journalism and or just relaxing in their 1820 Greenwich Village home. They also keep media studies department. “He’s really a giant in the television an apartment in London where they have long been involved with industry and he’s been very helpful to our department.” the arts and are landlords of the 1,400-seat, turn-of-the-century And the pioneers of the American sitcom aren’t as into TV restored Shaftesbury Theatre located in London’s West End. Long- these days as you would imagine. Eleanor admits a fondness for her time art collectors and proponents of the Glasgow School of Art, they TiVO digital recorder which she sets to capture BBC programming were named “Icons of Scotland” by Scotland Magazine and received and Donald enjoys “Law & Order” and as many sporting events, the American Scottish Federation’s Wallace Award given to American especially college basketball, as he can watch. As for some of the Scots in recognition of their contributions to society, even though other primetime viewing, the Taffners are not that impressed with neither believes they have a bit of Scottish blood in them. Eleanor is this millennium’s offerings. “Most of the reality shows are like credited with revitalizing an interest in the work of Scottish architect, looking at wrestling,” Donald says laughing. “They are trying to get designer and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, through her personal you to think that it’s really happening. That isn’t to say that if the collection and founded the American Friends of the Glasgow School networks came to me tomorrow and said they wanted one that I of Art to assist with fundraising and awareness. Among his many wouldn’t do it.” accolades for global contributions over the years, Donald received a Founders Award Emmy from The International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences “for setting new FADE IN levels of creativity in the worldwide exchange of television programs” SCROLL ACROSS SCREEN – TO BE CONTINUED and the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an insignia awarded FADE TO BLACK by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England, for his exceptional contribution to British film and television in the United States.

Spring/Summer 2005 21 Life,

wisdom&the Pursuit OF Happiness

24 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine A word not a familiar part of the Western lexicon though its principlesAyurveda. may be the wave of the future for healthcare in the United States. Derived from the Sanskrit words for “life” and “knowledge of,” it is a system of healing based on homeopathy and naturopathy with a focus on diet, exercise, meditation and the extensive use of herbs. Grounded in thousands of years of practice, it is now being harnessed by a business-savvy alumnus who found success by honoring his heritage.

On the surface, the fascinating story of Muhammed right choices at the right time can yield rewards, Majeed ’86Pharm.D. seems to mirror that of many and that even when failure comes, faith can be the accomplished immigrants. A young man ventures catalyst which brings about the winds of change. It from his native India in 1975 carrying only eight is an illustration of how ancient and contemporary dollars in his pocket and goes on to head a multi- beliefs can be combined harmoniously. million-dollar corporation achieving financial Growing up in southern India, young Majeed reward and professional respect. These tales are was the fifth of six children born to a family invested always commanding, but Majeed’s differs in that, in work and education. His father died when Majeed while straddling two cultures, he has managed to was only 12 and his mother, Fathima, became his take the best of both and tap into the future by bedrock. “She is the one to whom I attribute all utilizing the past. It is the tale of how making the my success,” recalls Majeed. “A very, very strong

Summer 2005 23 woman.” He completed his undergraduate degree in St. John’s professor, spoke to him often about the Muhammed pharmacy at Trivandrum Medical College in University’s pharmacy program proving to be Majeed wraps a farmer in a Kerala, India, then briefly worked as a teacher but enough encouragement for Majeed to attend. ponnadia, he wanted to advance in his field and knew he’d Even with his advanced degree and accomplished a silk cloak have to venture to where opportunities were more career at Pfizer, he continued to look ahead. He used to honor someone. plentiful. If he could just make it to America, he knew that Americans were growing more and more knew he could find work and pursue his education, concerned with the health issues plaguing society but that meant leaving behind his wife, Sabinsa, including obesity and poor dietary habits. He was who he married while still an undergraduate. He sure that certain aspects of Ayurveda, and the plant- came ahead to Chicago where he already had based curatives so familiar to his homeland, could established friends, and very quickly acclimated to address some of those ills. Could the plants and spices his new environment. “The next morning I went he used growing up offer therapeutic benefits in the out looking for a job, and at the second pharmacy I treatment of diabetes, arthritis or cardiovascular visited, the fellow offered me $3.75 an hour,” he disease? Why not, he thought, combine his technical remembers. “To me, at that time, $3.75 was a lot expertise with the knowledge of the curatives that of money.” exist and harness it all into a series of products? He moved on to Standard Pharmacal in Elgin, IL, “The medical system that we know here [in the and shortly became the head of their manufacturing United States] does not exist in the same form in division, but he was still restless and wanted to India,” Majeed states. “It is available to about 20 continue his studies. “I told my boss ‘I’m going for my percent of the population. The remaining 80 percent master’s,’” Majeed says. “He was quite disappointed still use the local, indigenous system. So there must but I told him that I had to move on.” Now with be something to that.” Sabinsa by his side, he moved to New York where Starting his own business was a formidable he found a job in research at Pfizer Inc. while endeavor. He initially worked out of his home, completing a master’s in science at Long Island putting in long hours and adjusting his business University. A colleague, who also happened to be a plan as he went along. “In the early years, I really

24 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine didn’t know how to work the business,” he now con- sists of a powdered extract obtained from black fesses. “During the first couple of years, I lost all of pepper standardized for a minimum 98 percent of my savings. But in those years, the one thing I did the alkaloid piperine. Piperine is the active ingredi- have was very good credit, and in the United States, ent in black pepper which gives it its unique pun- even if you don’t have money, if you have good gency. Likewise, Gugulipid is an extract from the credit you can still make it. I was able to turn the sap of a tree, Commiphora mukul, found in the company around.” He says he never gave up and was rocky, rough land of warm and semi-arid areas of determined to make a go of it. “I believe that you India which he claims has significant lipid-lowering must always do the best you can and better things properties and can be used for those worried about will happen,” he says. “Slow and steady, build it brick clogged arteries. by brick, and it will take a long time to fall apart.” Majeed says the need for such products is even From the ground up was born Sabinsa greater now since the field of holistic healing has Corporation, named for his wife, with a handful of gone from “augmentative medicine” — thanks in part employees. While Majeed initially wanted to start a to the growing popularity of yoga and the increased pharmaceutical firm, he soon turned his attention use of some Chinese herbs — to “complimentary to manufacturing and marketing alternative and medicine” and now “integrated medicine,” where complementary natural products based on the prin- more medical professionals are embracing the use ciples of Ayurveda. By supplying phytonutrients of natural products and practices like acupuncture (nutrients concentrated in the skins of many as a supplement to the traditional, Western reliance vegetables and fruits), standardized herbal extracts, on prescription drugs. “Interest in Ayurveda is specialty fine chemicals and organic intermediates to growing rapidly in the United States,” says Marc the nutritional, pharmaceutical and food industries, Halpern, the founder and director of the California Majeed sought to carve a niche for himself beyond College of Ayurveda and The Center for Optimal the traditional market of ingredient supplier. And Health. “Since we opened in 1995, we have trained to convince potential customers, he faced what he more than a thousand students and graduated more terms “the snake oil problem.” In his Piscataway, NJ, than 300 practitioners who are spreading knowl- office, he takes a cue from his early teaching days edge of Ayurveda across America.” and outlines on a whiteboard how the industry has Halpern says representatives for U.S.-based grown since he first began manufacturing nearly 20 companies like Sabinsa have a responsibility to years ago. The evolution, he says, started with the educate, which is a charge Majeed takes seriously in egregious claims some companies made about their several ways. His “Sabinsa On Wheels” program goods, thus giving the impression that all natural takes company representatives on the road to share products were “snake oil.” “People would say, ‘If informational literature and conduct site visits with you take this pill, you will lose weight,’” Majeed retail customers, and an open company e-mail pol- complains. “There is no such thing. When you make tall claims, you are subjecting yourself to criticism and you are fooling people.” He would rather see products developed that act as a compliment to a sensible diet and exercise and that aid people with Dr. Majeed losing weight. receiving an Many of his early products were standardized award from the late Dr. Shankar extracts, meaning the potency of the active ingredients Dayal Sharma, could be assured from one batch to the next. For president of example, Bioperine is a Sabinsa-patented product India, given by the Spice Board billed as “clinically proven” to help with the absorp- for developing tion of nutrients in food and supplements. It con- export markets.

Spring/Summer 2005 25 Women harvest plants for processing.

icy allows customers to share questions or con- more than 100 researchers (all Ph.D.s) work to evaluate cerns such as prescription drug interactions with a what parts of the plants can be used and how best to product. “Education is the key,” agrees Majeed. “Just extract the compounds which are then subjected to because something is natural doesn’t mean that it toxicology tests. “If you don’t put your money into can’t be toxic. Take the example of poison ivy, which research today, you will not exist as a company is all natural.” tomorrow,” says Majeed who still often rolls up Now with 55 employees stateside in his New his sleeves in the lab alongside his employees. “I’m Jersey and Utah offices and 750 in India, Majeed not in the simple distribution business. I’m in the estimates that he spends 40 to 50 percent of his time business of developing good, quality products that in his native land. There, he contracts with thousands human beings will use for the future.” And today, of farmers who grow the plants he then manufactures there is evidence to suggest that the old ways may into supplements. His heart is in the lab where the be the best ways. For example, Majeed is heartened by current studies being conducted that examine the effect of turmeric, a well-used spice in India, on aiding Alzheimer and cystic fibrosis patients. He points out that his company has been marketing a similar product since 1992 called Curcumin that acts as an anti-inflammatory. That’s just one of 120 prod- ucts he currently offers, and more are being devel- oped daily. His desire to heal extends to the local Indian economies where the more than 5,000 farmers in 18 Majeed districts whom he contracts are discovering the in one of Sabinsa’s security that comes from their association with R&D labs. Sabinsa. “We work with the banks [in India] to

26 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine secure financing and to get them crop failure insur- ance,” says Majeed who honors the farmers at com- pany celebrations. “[The insurance] is something the farmers had never even heard of before.” Rao Tatapudy ’85GP, ’93Pharm.D. is a friend who has known Majeed since their days at the University and who last year visited his manufacturing plants and farms in India. “I was very impressed,” says Tatapudy, who is associate director for formulation and develop- ment at Wyeth, a pharmaceutical and health care products company. “He has tremendous follow-up Majeed (center) skills and is a workaholic. In 1993, the whole industry in the fields of appeared to be falling apart and he hung in there. He one of the farms in India. dealt with the adversity.” There are now several companies under the and the Thomas Alva Edison Patent awards. The umbrella of Sabinsa: Sami Labs in India; Sabinsa, father of three and grandfather credits organizations Japan; Sabinsa, Australia; Sabinsa, South Africa and like SCORE, which offers advice to small businesses, Organic Aroma, a flavor and fragrance company, with helping him to stay afloat in rough waters and who all collectively earned $66 million last year, wants to now serve as a mentor to others. His dream according to Majeed. He enjoys the corporation’s is to continue to grow his company, and perhaps positive, international reputation and his many one day, go back to teaching. After all, he has the accolades including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor knowledge of two continents to impart.

Contractual farmers gather for a Sabinsa business meeting.

Summer 2005 27

FULFILLING THE DREAM

showing signs of support

THE CAMPAIGN FOR ST. JOHN’S – FULFILLING THE DREAM, THE SECOND SUCH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

UNDER FATHER HARRINGTON'S LEADERSHIP, WAS ANNOUNCED IN 2002 WHEN OVER $115 MILLION

WAS RAISED TOWARD THE $200 MILLION GOAL. DUE TO THE TREMENDOUS EARLY SUCCESS IN

MEETING THIS OBJECTIVE, THE TARGET WAS RAISED TO $250 MILLION IN 2004 AND, TO DATE,

THIS AMBITIOUS EFFORT HAS RESULTED IN NEARLY $240 MILLION EARMARKED FOR SUCH TOP

PRIORITIES AS SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT, FACULTY RESEARCH, ACADEMIC PROGRAM INITIATIVES,

FACILITIES ENHANCEMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY. IN A THREE-PART SERIES ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN,

WE WILL EXPLORE HOW SUPPORT DIRECTLY IMPACTS ALL MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHN’S FAMILY

– STUDENTS, FACULTY AND ALUMNI – AND HOW, BY ACHIEVING OUR GOAL BY MAY 2006, WE

WILL FULFILL MANY DREAMS.

hen Frank Jerome took his place on the Great Lawn to assist with Wcommencement ceremonies in June, he couldn’t help but reflect on the changes that took place in his life over the past few years – changes which began with a routine phone call from his sister. “I was working for an oil company in Trinidad and Tobago after graduating from high school,” mused the soft-spoken Presidential Scholar, “and was dreaming about coming to America for my college education. Unfortunately, money was tight in my family and three years after high school, the dream was

by Thomas Burke ’68C, ’71G still a dream.”

Spring/Summer 2005 29 A dedicated and hard-working student, It is that experience which changes the Frank applied to a number of American lives of students who in turn carry the colleges and universities but was rebuffed St. John’s message into their individual by the high cost of tuition and the minimal worlds. In Frank Jerome’s case, profound financial aid they offered. Coupled with the changes took place in his life not long after skyrocketing costs of living in the United coming to alma mater. “Before I came States, it seemed all too apparent that Frank’s here, my plan was to study computer aspirations would be taking a backseat to science in America, make a lot of money the harsh reality of bottom-line economics – and live a comfortable life. The Vincentian but then, that all-important phone call. “My mission really changed everything for me. sister is a nurse here in New York and I’ve been involved in so much community passed the Queens campus on her way to service, working with the homeless and the and from work. She knew that St. John’s was poverty-stricken people here in New York, a really good Catholic university and urged that I’m really a very different person since me to send in my application. I figured I’d coming to St. John’s.” give it a try and see what happens.” Besides membership in numerous What happened was pure Hollywood, national academic honor societies, Frank except that in this case, Hollywood was serves the University community as a situated on Utopia Parkway. Included in member of Campus Ministry, a new student Frank’s acceptance letter was the notification orientation leader and an active member that he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship of Student Government. He is considering plus a partial scholarship to cover a portion plans to go to Africa after graduation to of his room and board as a dorm student. use his computer skills to assist in a number “I couldn’t believe it when I opened that of community service programs with the envelope. I called my sister and asked her homeless and other needy populations of to go to the admissions office on campus that region. to make sure that this wasn’t a mistake.” Frank is overwhelmingly grateful to Frank’s good fortune was the direct result the wonderful donors whose support of of alumni participation in support of the campaign has helped to turn his own scholarships to ensure that academically dreams into reality. “There aren’t enough deserving but economically burdened words I can say to really express my students would be afforded the opportunity appreciation for this opportunity to not to pursue an advanced education. In true only further my education in the fields Vincentian fashion, that means extending of mathematics and computer science a hand of caring and compassion to those but also to truly experience life. I have individuals who otherwise would never learned the importance of continuous edu- know the joy of the experience that is cation and, through the Vincentian mis- uniquely St. John’s. sion, understand the value of helping my fellow men and women in any witnessed the devastating effects of the of the students would not be at the way I can.” terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. University without the assistance provided It is interesting to note that as the “It was a terrible time, but I’ll always through donor programs like the campaign, revenues generated from the capital remember how everyone at St. John’s pulled and she now feels an obligation to give back campaign directly impact the thousands together to try and help each other and the to those who need the same helping hand of individual students who come to live and people in New York who were suffering so that she did. “Alumni contributions really study at St. John’s, those students ultimately horribly. We all really turned into an do make a difference in the lives of everyone become the next phalanx of messengers extended family, almost overnight.” at St. John’s. They make it possible to carrying these core values to even greater Shelly came through those tragic days attend, succeed and prosper inside and numbers of people in places throughout with a renewed sense of the importance outside the classroom. I am very grateful the world. It is this ripple effect that is so of being there for others in their time of for all they have done for the University and typical of what St. John’s University has greatest need. Realizing that this was the I look forward to doing my part when the always been about. essence of the Vincentian mission, she time comes.” embarked upon a college career which Frank and Shelly are just two shining n alum of just a few months, carried her to the heights of academic examples of St. John’s students who are the Shelly Garcia ’05TCB is so success while reinforcing her dedication rule rather than the exception. Grateful for grateful for her opportunities to service. She became a member of a host an opportunity to excel, and sharing of as a result of her scholarship of national and local academic honor themselves beyond what is required in the that she plans to serve as a societies, of the President’s Society and of classroom, they represent thousands who Agraduate assistant while pursuing her MBA the Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee. each year undergo a life-altering experience in marketing this fall. A native of Houston, She also served as president of the Future by living and studying at any one of the she readily admits that it was only with Alumni Association, a student ambassador, University’s five locations. And giving the assistance provided by generous transfer admissions assistant and Student back, an extension of many great St. John’s contributors to the capital campaign that Government representative. As a result, she traditions, is what the capital campaign is she was able to pursue a higher education. received numerous awards and citations ultimately about. “I wanted to study at a Catholic university including the prestigious St. Vincent de In turn, they carry the Vincentian located in New York, but couldn’t even Paul Service Award. message to communities both around the consider it without a good amount of finan- Her most vivid memory of her under- corner and around the world, ensuring that cial assistance. Everything here is just so graduate years is the impact that the the spirit of compassion and service to expensive! Happily, St. John’s offered me a cross-cultural experience had on her views humanity lives on as a shining reflection of really wonderful financial aid and scholar- and awareness. “I’m always amazed at the the inherent values that have permeated ship package which allowed me to come to number of friends I’ve made from places all St. John’s for the past 135 years. this truly exceptional university.” over the world,” noted Shelly. “No matter Ultimately, the capital campaign is about Shelly became immersed in the where the students come from, they are at people – about students, about faculty Vincentian philosophy of compassion St. John’s because they want to make our and about alumni and friends whose and caring for others almost overnight world a better place. The diversity here is contributions make a lasting impact on when, newly arrived from Texas and just not just a nice idea…it’s reality.” the lives of them all. a few weeks into her first semester, she Shelly acknowledges that, like her, most

Spring/Summer 2005 31 campus briefs

The Legacy of Notre Dame College by Blythe E. Roveland-Brenton, Ph.D. ’00G

In 1971, the presence of St. John’s University was expanded in New York City when it consolidated with Notre Dame College of Staten Island. While there was some con- nection between the two Catholic institu- tions in prior years, such as alumnae from the college pursuing graduate degrees at the University, the merger brought the alumnae of the all-women’s college into the St. John’s family. Since then, many have fostered a relationship with the school and take an active role in its events. Yet, these more than 2,000 women who graduated prior to the merger naturally maintain a deep affection for their alma mater. The story of Notre Dame College illustrates both the challenges and the growing opportunities for women in Catholic higher education in the 20th century. As a voicer who submitted an editorial in the student newspaper, The Scop (named after an Anglo-Saxon minstrel who went from town to town sharing news), declared in 1950: “When you educate a man, you educate a person; when you educate a Cover of the 1969/70 academic bulletin. woman, you educate a family.” While the statement must be understood within the to offer extension courses for teacher local young women with the chance to context of that era, the mores of the time education. Then, a college department continue their education past high school and in response to the critique that women’s within the Academy opened its doors in by offering Fordham courses and credits. colleges were glorified finishing schools, it September 1931 to 13 students presenting In May 1933, a provisional charter by the is telling that women had to defend their decision to pursue a liberal arts education. In 1903, the Congregation de Notre Dame from Montreal established an academy on Staten Island originally for the education of girls and eventually filling a niche by offering high school, and later college, Writers for The Scop, the courses to young women at a time when student newspaper, reported such opportunities were not possible due on campus happenings beginning in 1934. to a lack of availability in the area. In 1928, Pictured here are the Notre Dame Academy was one of the first editors. locations chosen by Fordham University The Scop, April/May 1935.

32 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine The first commencement in 1935 began a tradition of graduation ceremonies held on the East Terrace of the Gans mansion, later the administration building. Pictured here are the commencement exercises of 1944.

Board of Regents issued the college its the administration building. Seventy years auditorium and additional classrooms in independent, four-year liberal arts status, and ago, in May 1935, the first degrees were 1938, and in 1945, a small science building by that fall, the affiliation with Fordham ceased granted during commencement exercises on was erected. While it was almost too small and it separated from the rest of the Academy, the East Terrace outside the mansion. Also in from the day that it opened, it managed to which still served as the Congregation’s 1935, the Alumnae Association was founded be the site of training for several graduates primary and secondary school. with Jean Rossman elected president at the who were to embark on impressive scientific The following year, the ideal location for first regular meeting held that October, having careers. A much-needed addition to the the college’s growing student body was dis- already been elected president pro tem at an science building was completed in 1962 and covered and a 24-room, Georgian brick unofficial meeting earlier that year. The the structure was rededicated as Mahoney mansion and surrounding grounds on the New York State Board of Regents issued Hall early the following year. While growing summit of Grymes Hill were purchased for an absolute charter in January 1940 and beyond the original 13 students of 1931, the $105,000 from the estate of shipping mag- diplomas bestowed on graduates were for student body remained small, maintaining nate John Gans. Weeks later, Monsignor the first time awarded by Notre Dame the supportive community between faculty Michael Lavelle, president of the new college, College that same year rather than the and students that many felt resembled an celebrated Mass and blessed the building, Board of Regents of the State of New York. extended family. On its 10th anniversary, the which became the core of the new permanent The facilities expanded throughout the number of those enrolled (171) just barely campus of the Catholic women’s day college. decades as other buildings were added from exceeded the number of alumnae (168). The original Gans home is today Flynn Hall, the 1930s onward. Lavelle Hall provided an In 1955, the adjacent Herbert Gans estate

Spring/Summer 2005 33 campus briefs

was purchased adding nine acres and two buildings, including a white stucco mansion, to the campus. Wings were added to the Mother St. Egbert welcomes mansion to create the Cardinal Spellman Dorothy Reidy ‘62NDC (c) Library, named for the promoter of the in 1958, the first daughter of an alumna, Dorothy college and president of its board, and Smith Reidy ‘36NDC, dedicated in October 1956, the college’s to graduate from the 25th year. college. Joining Reidy are freshman Elizabeth Mother St. Egbert (also known as Sister Wallace ‘62NDC (l.) and Helen Flynn, C.N.D.) served at the helm for Lynn McGoldrick ‘62NDC (r.).

nearly the entire history of the college, first as foundress and dean and then as president from 1954 to 1965. Alumnae referred to her affectionately as their “Alma Mater.” S h e clearly had great aspirations for her students, and at the 29th Investiture Ceremony in 1959, she told them, “It is a joy to see so many young women set their feet on the path to the good, the beautiful and the true, as sought in a liberal arts education, with the desire to bring to fulfillment their God-given gifts.” The students caught sight of Mother St. Egbert’s hopes for them and the close-knit community was decidedly proud of the career paths of its graduates. Frequently the student newspaper would report “alum-news” to the student body. Graduates went on to become scientists, members of religious communities, medical professionals and writers, and a large number of graduates entered the teaching profession. In 1967, Notre Dame was selected as one of five New York colleges to participate in an Apprentice Teaching Program in which students taught in various underprivileged “inner-city” schools. The college community was equally as proud of women who, as Rosemarie Fava ’57NDC and Mary Maguire ’57NDC stated in The Scop in 1956, pursued the “most complicated and difficult profession of all-that of homemaker.”

Students congregate at a familiar place on Hillcrest Road. Moorings yearbook, 1952.

34 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine Students made a valiant effort to keep the college from closing. Moorings yearbook, 1970.

During the 1950s, the campus became a Sister Rita Donahue, C.N.D. succeeded Rev. Joseph T. Cahill, C.M. and other repre- lively center for various educational and Mother St. Egbert as president until Sister sentatives to continue Catholic higher educa- public service groups such as the Conference Rita’s resignation in December 1969. When tion on Staten Island through a merger with of Catholic College Alumnae, the New York the Congregation de Notre Dame ceased to the former women’s college. The Board of Shakespeare Festival Players and the Staten sponsor the college, the Archdiocese took Regents formally approved the merger in Island Symphony. Yet, at the same time, over in the interim. In June 1970, the diocese January 1971 and the senior class of Notre enrollment was quite static due in part to the announced the closing of the college and Dame College of Staten Island became the keen competition for college students and juniors had the option of continuing the fol- responsibility of St. John’s on January 27, new coeducational opportunities at public lowing year to complete their degrees, while 1971. Forty two women earned their degrees and private schools throughout the metro- freshmen and sophomores had to transfer to that spring, bringing to a close the short but politan area. While there were many new other schools. Students tried to overturn the significant life of that college. developments in campus life and curriculum decision and made heroic last-ditch efforts to during the 1960s, the college could not raise funds and awareness to revive the col- Blythe Roveland-Brenton is the University archivist. withstand a series of setbacks including a lege. During the fall of 1970, officials from poor evaluation by a Middle States team in the diocese and the college initiated discus- 1967, growing faculty and student unrest, sions with then St. John’s President The Very administrative changes and significant financial hardships. A second visit by Middle Are you an NDC alumna with memories and memorabilia you would like to share? The States evaluators drew much more favorable University Archives maintains a collection of college records and student memorabilia from NDC. Please contact St. John’s University Archives, Library, Room 430, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, results in 1969, but it was too late to reverse NY, 11439, call (718) 990-1465 or e-mail [email protected] to discuss a possible donation. the growing tide.

Summer 2005 35 campus briefs

The Women of NDC Remember

They have gone on to successful careers, Mary Ryan Gallagher ’49 lives in Yonkers, NY, one year and I remember the feeling of warmth and traveled the world and raised families. and is a homemaker, a former substitute teacher support I received from the people who had elected and former president of the NDC alumnae group me. I later became a member of the faculty and taught Some have stayed on Staten Island and in Westchester, NY. chemistry there from 1967 to 1969. I was originally others have migrated to varying parts “I lived in Jersey City and wanted to attend a from Staten Island so it was nice to go back there and of the country. But still they hold school that was in the area. [Notre Dame College] teach.” precious memories of their time spent was a beautiful place geographically, up on a hill overlooking the water, and the transportation to get at Notre Dame College. Frances Liggio Hogan ’69 lives on Staten Island there was very easy for me. I could just get on a bus. and is director of community relations for the All of the teachers were wonderful, and the school Staten Island Mental Health Society. Catherine Fennelly ’39 is a retired editor and always managed to have top-notch faculty. The first research director who lives in Connecticut. “The school had a really good reputation and my two years you took courses from all of the various “My parents were friends of the dean, Mother parents thought [the college] would be a wonderful subjects and you really got to know the faculty. They St. Egbert. It was a small college and you knew everybody. place to be. Now I realize how great it truly was. The reached out to the students.” There were only 24 students in my graduating class. mansions were intact and there were these beautiful The thing I remember most is being in my classroom oriental rugs in the rooms where we held teas. It was at the end of my senior year, taking a final exam. Laura Sheppard Rader ’54 lives in Las Vegas, NV, gorgeous. Back then, we were the rebel class, being I looked out the window and I saw the Queen Mary and is a retired social worker. part of the 60s, and we pooh-poohed [the beautiful, steaming in on her maiden voyage in the New York “My sister, Betty Sheppard ’48NDC, had graduated old fashioned buildings and decorations]. Now I look Bay. That was exciting. It was a tense time as we were from the school. She loved going there and tuition was back and say, ‘You dope.’ I mostly remember my a few months from war, but I remember how lovely it very reasonable so I decided to attend also. Some of friends because I still see them to this day. A group of was on our little campus.” the professors were just wonderful. Fr. Joseph Moody us just got together recently and it was as if we had was so intellectual and entertaining. Mr. William never parted. We just can’t believe that so many years Ruth Lynch Catalano ’44 is a retired teacher who Grace taught English and was very funny and also have passed. We had a great time.” lives on Staten Island. Right after graduation, she an excellent teacher. There was a gardener named became a chemist working at Tidewater Oil Co. in Mr. Albert and we had these beautiful gardens in the Bayonne, NJ. spring. The administrative building had these lovely “Of the seven of us working as chemists, six of parlors which would be considered old fashioned and us were from Notre Dame College. We were the first out-of-date now but it was a delight to go in there. women in the lab. Naturally, since it was wartime, the The overall atmosphere was very genteel.” students at NDC got much closer. We had small classes and we did fun things together like having dances Dr. Rita Boggs ’59 lives in Carson, CA, and is with the men’s colleges in the area. The teachers were president and chief executive officer of American incredible and I never wanted to leave there. I’m still Research and Testing. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry. in contact with a lot of the girls, and one of them who “With the size of the college being so small, it was my best friend in high school and college calls me allowed for much more interaction with the faculty. every Saturday morning from California.” We weren’t just a number. I was student president

The opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964 symbolized a time of great change for the Staten Island college. Before that time, ferries carried students back and forth from Brooklyn and Manhattan to the island. Moorings yearbook, 1968. Bricks & Mortar Update

All According to Plan The initial phase of a planned $20 million science renovation of St. Albert Hall on the Queens campus was completed in March with the construction of two new research labs. The largest lab (shown here) is about 1,600 square feet and located in the sub-basement of the building. It contains a darkroom and a state-of-the-art, hepa-filtered cell culture room where a clean environment was created to support sensitive and sophisticated scientific research. Also in the sub-basement are new faculty offices, a microscope room and space for graduate assistants to work. A biology laboratory/office on the second floor was gutted and completely refitted to transform it into a new molecular biology lab that is about 900 square feet. The space contains a cell culture hood Research lab.

and high-quality water, heat, light and counters for use by researchers. Further stages in the renovation include plans to convert space on the first floor into instructional and research labs for phar- maceutical scientific research plus additional office space. Remodeling will continue on the second floor to add more biology research and teaching facilities and, on the third floor, there will be enhanced chemistry teaching labs. A ribbon cutting in March officially opened the CVS/pharmacy Student Lounge located in the basement of St. Albert Hall. Made possible by a grant from the CVS Charitable Trust, it is equipped with wireless technology and provides space for students to study, gather for special seminars and activities, attend guest lectures and CVS/pharmacy Student Lounge. participate in career outreach programs.

Taffner Field House Nearly Complete

After more than a year of construction, the new Athletic Field House, named for benefactors Donald and Eleanor Taffner, is slated to open in September. At slightly more than 42,000 square feet, it will house recreational and varsity basketball courts, locker rooms, a community lounge area, a weight training room, medical training room, team classroom, storage room and an office level. In keeping with the University's standard of providing the best technology available, the recreation portion of the building will be equipped with wireless access. The new building sits adjacent to Carnesecca Arena, formerly Alumni Hall, and is attached via a fully enclosed passageway. The Taffner Field House under construction.

Spring/Summer 2005 37 campus briefs

Applied Art

In the 21st century, there is no need to be a starving artist. That's just one of the messages reflected in “Art in the Marketplace: Alumni from St. John’s University’s Department of Fine Arts” held recently at the Chung-Cheng Art Gallery on the Queens campus. Paul Fabozzi, chairman of the department of fine arts, says he saw tremendous value in recognizing those alums who made significant contributions to the field of professional design in fashion, corporate identity, package design, the Web and print media. “The field is ever-changing and shifting and the exhibit shows the incredible range in the profession,” he says. “This show will give our current students a sense of the broad applications for a fine arts degree within the world of professional design and that the achievements of our alumni will help students navigate the dynamic and ever-expanding connections among art, commerce and communication.” Some covers and an Fabozzi and members of his faculty hand picked those interior layout designed who participated based on a vision of showcasing work in by Paul Schrynemakers. diverse mediums and environments with featured work ranging from sports photography to merchandising materials. One graduate who displayed, Victor Hugo deLeon ’01C, started his own men’s clothing line produced in Italy called Niformis. He says he used the knowledge he gained at St. John’s to design his shirts, ties, Web site and logo. “I wanted to show St. John’s students that you can take graphic design and go into other fields and to let them know that there can be a marriage between creativity and entrepre- neurship,” adds deLeon, who set up an installation piece in the show that included some of his clothing. Mary McCoy ’03C is a former intern and now associate designer for Ralph Lauren where she and her colleagues produce a variety of pieces including design agency after college but was pleasantly surprised to find the mockups for meetings, wide range of career options available to her once she graduated. signage and merchandising McCoy hopes current students will be inspired with her designs guidelines. She envisioned displayed in the show. “When I was a student, the art department herself working at a small was just starting to find its voice,” she says. “I wish there had been something like this when I was there.” Paul Schrynemakers ’88C, creative director for iVillage Network, A direct mail piece for a says he was happy to participate in the show. “I think that every Nespresso limited edition coffee flavor designed by student needs an example of how they can apply what they learn,” Jacqueline Schoeffel. says Schrynemakers, who loaned the gallery some of his layouts

38 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine from magazines, a slideshow and a cover of a CD-Rom. Jacqueline Schoeffel ’02C, a graphic designer who contributed ads, direct mail pieces and a few brochures, also took part in a panel discussion held as a companion event to the show. “I think it's very important for alumni to come back and talk to the students and share their experiences,” she says. “The art department has been and is continuing to evolve.” And the department's growth is evident in its recent accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. “Art in the Marketplace” was so successful that Fabozzi is now seeking designs from other alumni for possible future exhibitions. Individuals must be graduates of the Department of Fine Arts and should submit an updated resume, a brief bio and a few digital images of recent work in .jpeg format to him at [email protected]

A New Year's postcard for Sierra Restoration designed by Jacqueline Schoeffel.

Asian Artists Showcase Mythology

For many of the more than 50 artists featured in “Calligraphy and the Painting of Chinese American Women in the Metropolitan Area,” the show was a debut of their work. “Most of them had never exhibited before,” says Dr. Bernadette Li, director and professor of Asian and Asian American studies and curator of the show, which closed in April. “They thought of themselves as only amateurs though many of them are quite good. It was important to show the community their talent and their work.” Li says she drew on her own experience as a collector of Chinese art for the past two decades and her contacts to solicit pieces. The result was a stunning collection inspired by the Phoenix, queen of birds and a universal symbol of the arts according to Chinese mythology. “I am always looking for ways to promote Chinese and Chinese-American culture,” Li says. “It was an opportunity to share something with the community that they may have never seen before.” The women were of all ages, came from all socio-economic backgrounds and possessed a range of experience from the established artists to the novice who took up calligraphy and painting in retirement, but the bond they shared was in their desire to express their heritage through art. Due to the success of the exhibit, she says, there are plans to feature the works of Chinese-American men in August and September.

Spring/Summer 2005 39 giving back

Dinner Yields Scholarship Support

More than 1,100 business leaders courtesy of The Hartford Financial filled the New York Marriott Services Group in honor of Marquis Hotel in January for Duperreault’s recognition by the the 10th Annual Insurance school. “As many of us can attest, Leader of the Year Dinner, and education creates all sorts of raised in excess of $1.5 million possibilities, the kinds of toward scholarships and possibilities that truly fire the programs at the School of Risk imagination of both parents Management (SRM). and their children when they’re Brian Duperreault, chairman unburdened by economic of ACE Limited, was named the limitations,” said Ayer. “Fostering 2004 Insurance Leader of the educational opportunity is a direct Year with an award that has role the insurance industry can been presented at the event play in our communities today.” annually since 1995. Honorees From l., Ramani Ayer, Brian Duperrault and Brandon Sweitzer at the SRM was founded in 1901 as award ceremony. are recognized as outstanding The Insurance Society of New individuals whose leadership in SRM. “It is a pleasure and an honor to pay York and eventually evolved the worldwide insurance industry sets tribute to him.” into The College of Insurance (TCI). In them apart from their peers. “Brian’s Ramani Ayer, chairman and chief 2001, TCI merged with St. John’s and the distinguished career in insurance and executive officer of The Hartford Financial name was changed to the School of Risk reinsurance is widely recognized throughout Services Group, Inc., served as honorary Management, Insurance and Actuarial the industry,” said Brandon Sweitzer, chairman of the dinner and announced the Science, which is a part of The Peter J. chairman of the board of overseers for endowment of a new $50,000 scholarship Tobin College of Business.

40 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine For a comprehensive look at what’s going on at

+ happenings St. John’s, surf the interactive calendar at www.sjualumni.com You can even register for an event online or forward event information to a friend. Here are just a few upcoming activities: events August 3 October 5 7th Annual Great Lawn Loughlin Society Summer Concert Annual Reception Hear classic arias and operas An exclusive event for featuring the Queens select annual contributors Symphony Orchestra to St. John’s. Queens campus Sky Club, NYC

Spring/Summer 2005 41 alum notes

30s Judging Character HON. CONRAD DUBERSTEIN ’41L, BOB SHEPPARD ’32C, ’00HON was the subject of an ’91HON, the most senior active article in The New York Times in February about his judge in the Eastern District, was longevity as a public-address announcer for the New honored in February with the York Giants of New Jersey and at Yankee Stadium where he has announced since 1951. dedication in his name of the United States Bankruptcy courtrooms and CARL TAVOLACCI ’35L was honored with a community chambers in the newly renovated service award by the Civil Association of Staten Island General Post Office Building in for his outstanding dedication to the Staten Island Brooklyn. As a long time jurist, Judge community. He is an active member at the Richmond Duberstein was honored by the court County Country Club and has a life membership in as a token of appreciation for his many years of service and the high esteem in which he is held. He is no Kiwanis International, Knights of Columbus and the less beloved at alma mater where an annual moot court competition bears his name and where he serves Richmond County Bar Association. as a mentor to countless students. He is the chief judge of the Bankruptcy Court and is seen here next to the plaque presented at the dedication ceremony. 40s HOWARD RUBENSTEIN ’59L, ’90HON will lead the PETER KENNY ’63C, ’66L was appointed by Mayor BERNARD REISSMAN ’42CBA retired from H. Sand advisory board for City University’s new Graduate Michael Bloomberg to the board of the New York City & Co., Inc. in New York City and is a volunteer School of Journalism in New York City. Municipal Water Finance Authority and is a retired counselor for Service Core of Retired Executives. partner of the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher in He also served for six years on the board of the New York City. He is also a former director of the New York City Mechanical Contractors Association. 60s Law School Alumni Association at St. John's.

th WALTER WOEBCKE ’42CBA celebrated his 56 JOHN IACONO ’61C was awarded the annual New WILLIAM GOERTZ ’65UC, ’73MLS received a Doctor wedding anniversary with his wife, Dorothy, in January. York State Dental Association Distinguished Service of Ministry degree from Barry Award for his outstanding service to the association. University in Miami.

50s ROBERT McGUIRE ’61L joined Protection One in Lawrence, KS, as a member of their board, was HELEN (’52NDC) and DONALD JOYCE ’89NDC are named chairman of the company’s audit committee VINCENT MATRONE ’65CBA joined the proud grandparents of Kara Lynn Joyce who won and a member of their compensation committee. First Albany Capital, an institutional investment bank- two silver medals as a member of the U.S. Swim ing, sales and trading boutique in Dallas, as their Team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. senior vice president. WILLIAM SWORDS ’61P, a doctor of osteopathic HAROLD ECKHOFF ’54C retired after 30 years as vice medicine, was honored on behalf of his practice with MICHAEL FERRIGNO ’66Ed retired in 2001 after president and regional manager from Equitable Life Michigan’s Quality Improvement Organization’s 36 years as a teacher and head baseball coach at Assurance Company in Stanford, CT, relocated to most prestigious award, the 2004 Governor’s William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, NY, and Award of Excellence for Improvement Care in the North Carolina and is a volunteer teacher. relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC. Ambulatory Care Setting. PETER MALDONADO ’56C, FRANCES HYNES ’66Ed, a college professor at associate professor of business LEONARD CAMARDA ’62UC, ’70MBA retired after La Guardia Community College in Long Island City, NY, and dean of the College of Business 40 years as a senior executive with Schering-Plough recently had two of her paintings purchased by Alliance at the University of Findlay in Pharmaceuticals, Kenilworth, NJ. Capital in New York City. Her work was displayed at Findlay, OH, was honored at their June Kelly Gallery in New York City in January. Recognition and Appreciation FRANK PELLEGRINI ’62C, ’64MS, ’70Ph.D., dean of Dinner for 20 years of service. the School of Arts and Sciences of Farmingdale State JOEL KELLMAN ’66L was appointed to the board for University in Farmingdale, NY, was honored on the Intarcia Therapeutics Inc. located in Emeryville, CA. MARY PEEBLES ’59Ed was tasked with improving anniversary of his 35th year as a professor of the 11 lowest-performing schools in Ohio’s 77,000- chemistry at the University. JOHN ROCHE ’66G was inducted into Christopher student Cleveland Municipal School District from Columbus High School’s Hall of Fame in Miami for 2001 to 2004 and is currently the superintendent his dedication to and support of the school. for Minneapolis schools. WILLIAM ROSKIN ’66L was promoted to executive

42 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine vice president for human resources and administration RUSSELL BOVE ’72CBA joined the New York Mets JAMES BARBARO ’75CBA joined New England at Viacom Inc. in New York City. as their amateur scouting director. Motor Freight (NEMF) in Elizabeth, NJ, as their new account executive. RICHARD AVENIA ’67P was appointed medical JOSEPH MONTELEONE ’72Ed,a director for ProCom International, a CommonHealth corporate and insurance attorney, WILLIAM CASEY ’75CBA was named senior vice medical education unit located in Parsippany, NJ. joined Duane Morris LLP as partner president for regional management of Zurich in in New York City. New York City. THOMAS CODY ’67L is vice chairman of Federated Department Stores in Cincinnati, OH, and was JOHN DEACY ’75CBA retired as a U.S. customs appointed to the board of LCA-Vision, Inc. in special agent supervisor from the United States WILLIAM SHARP ’73C established Confidential Cincinnati. Army Special Forces. Security & Investigations, LLC, Washingtonville, NY, TERENCE O’NEIL ’67C, ’70L is a partner in the to serve the investigative and security needs of the RICHARD KOHLBERGER ’75L was promoted to law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & Mid-Hudson Valley and New York metropolitan areas. senior vice president, general counsel and corporate King, PLLC in Garden City, NY, was secretary of UST Inc., in Greenwich, CT. included in the latest edition of CRAIG SMITH ’73C was promoted to senior vice “The Best Lawyers in America”® in president/national sales manager for Saratoga PAUL ROSSI ’75C was awarded an MBA from the Management Labor and Capital Management, LLC in Garden City, NY. Regis University in Denver and is currently a fellow Employment Law category and will of the American College of Emergency Physicians, be listed in the August “Best” issue of New York BARRY WELLS ’73C, a senior Washington, DC, and the American College of Legal Magazine. vice president and dean of student Medicine, Schaumburg, IL. affairs at Syracuse University, was BARRY SEIDMAN ’67CBA was named to the board elected to the board of the Central JOHNNY CAHN ’76MBA was of Helix BioMedix in Bothell, WA. New York Community Foundation, promoted to director of finance Inc. and Syracuse Stage. He was SALVATORE ZIZZA ’67UC, ’72MBA, chairman of also appointed to the advisory board of the James E. and administration of the District Hallmark Electrical Supplies Corporation located in Scott Academy for Leadership and Executive of Columbia Pretrial Services Brooklyn, was elected president of the National Effectiveness by the National Association of Student Agency in Washington, DC. Italian American Foundation in Washington, DC. Personnel Administrators board of directors. SUSAN BRODERICK ’69C is a clinical supervisor in JACK GOLDSTEIN ’74MS, ’76Ph.D was named PATRICIA HOGAN ’76P is headed to Siem Reap, speech language pathology in the Speech & Hearing Cambodia, after 10 years of developing anti-infective Center at St. John's and coordinates its student- interim chief operating officer by Chiron Corporation drugs for Pfizer Inc. in New York City as part of their teaching program. in Emeryville, CA. Global Health Fellows philanthropic program where senior researchers are placed in third-world countries JOSEPH GALLO ’69CBA joined Abilita, a PHILIP KONIGSBERG ’74SVC is a senior human to lend their talents fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic communications consulting company, in Ormond resources consultant for AXA Equitable in New York Beach, FL, as vice president of telecommunications City and was elected fourth vice chair and executive for up to six months while their jobs remain available solutions. secretary for Queens Community Board 7. until their return.

ARNOLD SOLINSKY ’69Ed is an educator/support JOHN MOINESTER ’74CBA was promoted to TERRENCE ULLRICH ’76MBA, group leader for the Long Island Head Injury executive vice president/chief financial officer for president of JP Morgan Business Association in Commack, NY, and is currently writing Zenodata Corporation in Louisville, CO. Credit Corporation and senior vice “New Academic and Socially Interactive Curriculum president of J.P. Morgan Chase in for the Traumatically Brain-Injured,” a curriculum for SAM SCUDERI ’74P is a staff pharmacist for New York City, was re-elected as students that have suffered severe brain injury Eckerd Pharmacy and was recently appointed by vice president of the Commercial and have gone on to college. Commissioner Antonia Novello to the New York State Finance Association for 2005. Health Department, Office of Medicaid Management’s pharmacy advisory committee. CLAUDIO BERGAMASCO ’77L joined Raice, Paykin, 70s Greenblatt, Lesser & Krieg, LLP as counsel to the firm in Hackensack, NJ. WILLIAM SABO ’70C teaches at the Florida School CAROL TEICHMAN ’74SVC is a for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, FL, where research manager for Connecticut LAWRENCE BRENNAN ’77L was appointed acting he is the assistant instructor to the blind chorus that Cable Advertising and for the supreme court justice of the New York State sang “America the Beautiful” with Grammy winner Southern New England Region of Supreme Court in Mineola, NY. Alicia Keys prior to the Superbowl. Comcast Spotlight in Berlin, CT.

Spring/Summer 2005 43 alum notes

RICHARD GOLDBERG ’77SVC is a senior television writer-producer for John Hopkins Applied Physics Welcome Home Lab in Laurel, MD, and was selected to participate in a Screen Actors Guild producers’ panel along with CHRIS MONASCH ’81SVC returned to alma mater in March as a number of other Washington, DC-based broadcast, the new athletic director. As part of his duties, he will oversee corporate and independent film and television all NCAA athletic teams and the strategic plan for athletics producers and directors. including facilities, marketing, corporate relations and NCAA compliance. His career in college athletics began more than NOREEN COSTELLO ’78L was appointed as tax 24 years ago and includes positions leading the America East assessor for Long Beach, NY, by Long Beach’s city and Northeast conferences and in athletic administration at manager. Fordham and Seton Hall Universities. He most recently spent eight years as commissioner of the America East Conference JEFFREY RISENER ’78GEd is a (AEC) where he implemented an NCAA compliance program, physical education teacher for developed a marketing program and organized the league Oceanside Schools in Oceanside, television network. He also created a Student Athletic Advisory NY, head varsity basketball coach Committee to address and restructure the NCAA governance at Roslyn High School in Roslyn, NY, process and oversaw the addition of four new institutions and owner of Big-Time Basketball to the Conference. Prior to his tenure at the AEC, he served Camp in Oceanside, NY. for nine years as the first full-time commissioner of the Northeast Conference. JOHN HARRISON ’79CBA was named regional executive of commercial banking for Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., in central New Jersey. MICHAEL ANZEL ’82L earned a certificate in KARIN HOLLNSTEINER ’82C is an assistant vice Financial Planning from Adelphi University in Garden president for Azcor Lighting Systems, Inc. in Makati EDWARD NOONAN ’79CBA is a United America City, NY. He retired last July after 35 years with the City, Philippines, and is a volunteer little league Indemnity, Ltd. board member and former audit New York City Department of Education, the last softball coach on the weekends. committee chairman and was named their new 19 of which were at Townsend Harris High School, interim chief executive officer. The company is Flushing, NY. He is also a member of the New York DENNIS ORSI ’82L is the president of Sunshine based in the Cayman Islands. State Bar Association Elder Law Committee/Legal Greeting Cards and has joined the board of Education and Financial Planning subcommittees. Safeguard Security Holdings, Inc., in Houston. JOYCE WHITE ’79CBA was named by the president of Asset-Based Lending & Leasing as president of STEPHEN GOLD ’82SVC was named executive vice CARLEEN KELLY ’83CBA was named Corbett Accel Bank of America Business Capital based in president and chief information officer of GSI Healthcare Groups’ president for its New York City Pasadena, CA. Commerce in King of Prussia, PA. advertising team.

80s Musically Enshrined

JOHN DOORISH ’80G is founder and president of Stipple artist KYLE LANE ’89C (l.) Second Sight of New York, Inc., a Brooklyn-based poses with collaborator and New York company dedicated to the development of an Philharmonic's Principal Flutist Robert artificial retinal package, a small optical computer Langevin at the unveiling of his latest for the blind. piece, “Sherbrooke's Fluteful Miedo,” displayed behind them. Lane is building JOANNE LEONE ’80GEd received her Ph.D. in an “orchestra” of work one instrument psychology from Seton Hall University, South at a time using the stippling technique Orange, NJ, became licensed in 2004 and is now of connecting millions of India ink dots, a self-employed psychologist in Colts Neck, NJ. some microscopically small, to form an image. The work is highly collectable and KEVIN DUNN ’81MBA was named by Great Lakes each takes approximately two years to Chemical Corporation in Indianapolis as complete. Langevin performed at the president/chief executive officer and executive vice unveiling in March at The Friars Club president of specialty products of their subsidiary Monastery, New York City. BioLab Inc.

44 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine DONNA FERRARA ’84L was nominated assembly- JAMES BARTOLOTTO ’88C, ’91L was promoted to Far From Home woman by New York Governor George Pataki for a lieutenant colonel in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, seven-year term as commissioner of the New York is a military judge for the Marine Corps and a trial State Workers’ Compensation Board. attorney with the Department of Justice’s Constitutional Torts Section in Washington, D.C. ROBIN GUTOWSKI ’84SVC was promoted to lieutenant/court officer for the Office of Court CHRISTOPHER BURNS ’88CBA was promoted to Administration in New York City. sergeant by the Kinnelon Police Department in Kinnelon, NJ. PATRICK PARISI ’84CBA was promoted to chief maintenance EDWARD FRANKE ’88SVC is the officer of the MTA Bridges and vice president of sales for Koch Tunnels at Randalls Island in Records in New York City and is New York City. the president of the Alumni Council for the University’s Tau Kappa Epsilon chapter. ANNE LIN ’84P, ’86Pharm.D. accepted a position as dean and professor at Midwestern University College RICHARD JOHNSEN ’88MBA was appointed chief of Pharmacy, Glendale, AZ. ANDREW LYONS, JR. ’82SVC, ’97G is associate information officer for Ajilon Professional Staffing, director of the University’s Freshman Center and Saddle Brook, NJ. FRANCES MALONEY ’84C, ’87L is a partner at the is currently serving in Iraq as a lieutenant colonel Epstein Becker & Green law firm in New York City. WILLIAM WENNINGTON ’88SVC, an all-star in the Army. His duties include training the Iraqi basketball player who won three NBA championships military and police force. His son, ANDREW MARIA MERCURIO ’84P, ’95GP is an associate with the Chicago Bulls, was inducted into Canada’s LYONS III ’04C, is a second lieutenant in the Army director for the New York City Poison Control Center Basketball Hall of Fame. He currently works as a scheduled for deployment to Iraq this summer. and a Ph.D. candidate in toxicology at St. John's. commentator on the Bulls’ radio network in Lyons, Jr. is pictured here in the Water Palace, Chicago, IL. one of Saddam Hussein’s extravagant homes SUSAN VARI ’84L joined the law firm of Bartlett converted into a military headquarters. McDonough Bastone & Monaghan in Mineola, NY, JOANNA KOLOR VARGAS ’89SVC is a senior as partner. associate for Morgan Stanley in New York City.

STEVEN RAPP ’83L was promoted to senior vice JAMES HOLOHAN ’85SVC retired as a captain from LEONARD KUPERSMITH ’89CBA is the national president, general counsel and secretary of Pepsi the New York Police Department after serving as the sales manager of VersaPOS, a division of SYSTIME Bottling Group, Somers, NY. commanding officer of the Manhattan District Computer Corporation in Rutherford, NJ. Attorney’s Office Detective Squad, and is now a MARK SALEMI ’83C is a doctor of veterinary medicine managing director for Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & and owner of Northside Animal Hospital in Staten Friedman LLP in New York City. Island, NY. He received the Veterinarian of the Year 90s Award for New York City in 2003 and is currently JAMES STAUBER ’85C, ’88L ran in the New York THOMAS BAUER ’90C is the director of stores for the serving on the New York City Veterinary Association City Marathon last November. San Mateo Community College District in Northern Executive Board. California where he oversees the bookstore operations JOHN WRIGHT ’85CBA, ’93MBA was promoted to for the various colleges in the district. CHARLOTTE TOMIC ’83MBA director of Internal Audit Services Practice for KPMG, was recently promoted to media LLP in New York City. NEIL CARBONE ’90C, ’95L relations manager for GolinHarris was elected to the partnership of in New York City. LISA BARR ’86SVC is a business and legal affairs Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman coordinator for Sony BMG Music Entertainment in in New York City. New York City. STEPHAN D’URSO ’84CBA was GREGORY WINFREE ’86SVC is the chief litigation promoted to assistant general HAROLD LEVY ’90L joined Quadrino & Schwartz law counsel for Phelps Dodge Corporation and founded manager of the Saks Fifth Avenue firm in Garden City, NY. the Eight Iron Golf Apparel Company, both in Phoenix. flagship store in New York City. JAMES MULÉ ’90CBA joined the Long Island Lizards, THOMAS SCANLON ’87C, ’90G was appointed a major league lacrosse team in Smithtown, NY, as counsel with Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc., head coach. in Uniondale, NY.

Spring/Summer 2005 45 alum notes

ROBERT BUCHALTER ’91SVC was named supervising post producer for the MTV show “Room Raiders” in Subterranean Beauty New York City. CAROLINE SANCHEZ-BERNAT ’98SVC, JIMMIE McINTOSH ’91CBA was an actress, was crowned Ms. Subways last appointed operations manager year in a contest co-sponsored by the New for Blarney Stone Funding in York Mass Transit Administration and the Bayshore, NY. New York Post. As part of her duties, she participated in a 100th anniversary re-enactment of the New York subway's GINA MENDOZA ’91CBA is vice president of Bank inaugural trip from City Hall to Harlem. Julius Baer & Co. LTD in New York City. She also appeared in transit-system advertising and won the opportunity to JESSICA RYAN ’91SVC earned a master of science in ride free for a year. marketing from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and was promoted to associate director of marketing and community affairs at Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca in Ithaca, NY. ANTHONY RICCIO ’92L was named president of Ibis THOMAS BRITTON ’96SVC is a customs and border- ABBY SCHICKLER ’94SVC is a relationship Consulting in Providence, RI. protection officer with the Department of Homeland manager with TIAA-CREF in New York City, a registered Security at Newark Liberty International Airport in representative with the Securities and Exchange PATRICK DELPRETE ’96CBA is a head clerk with New Jersey. Commission and a member of the National Association Minero Securities on the New York Stock Exchange. of Securities Dealers and the Chartered Mutual Fund JOHN KENNEDY, JR. ’94L, a lawyer who works as the Counselor. MARY LOUKAS-CONREY ’93NDC is an office manager/ deputy to the Suffolk County clerk, ran last November senior paralegal for Romagnolo & Cambio, LLP in for the Suffolk County 12th Legislative District position ALICE BESSINGER ’92P is a pharmacist for Mid Staten Island, NY, and is enrolled in the crime scene and won. He was subsequently chosen to serve as Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center in New chairman of the legislature’s Veterans and Seniors Hampton, NY. investigation program at Kaplan University in Fort Lauderdale. Committee and vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. SR. MARGARET FAHERTY ’92MLS celebrated 50 years of service as a sister of Saint Joseph in BRIAN MANDEL ’93MBA founded BKM Consulting in CHRISTOPHER KURTZ ’94C served as chairman for Brentwood, NY, and is currently the media Morristown, NJ. the American Society of Criminology’s Serial Murder specialist/librarian at Msgr. McClancy Memorial division at its annual conference where he presented High School in East Elmhurst, NY. SANDY ROSENBERG ’93CBA, ’96MBA is the executive a paper titled “The Medical Model of Serial Murder.” director of corporate marketing at the University. CAROLYN KAPLAN ’92TCI MICHAEL MATZ ’94SVC is the regional loss is vice president for Willis of MELINDA SALZER ’93MBA is prevention manager of the northeast section for New York, Inc. located in co-owner of Advanced Information Party City in Rockaway, NJ. North Wales, PA. Services, Inc, Marlboro, NJ, and was named one of the 2005 Greater FRANCIS McQUADE ’94L was appointed counsel for Woman of Central New Jersey by the City of Long Beach, New York Housing Authority. IHOR KOBRYN ’92NDC is a captain in the U. S. Greater Media Newspapers for her Army and was awarded the prestigious “Combat accomplishments as a business woman who has JOHN O’MAHONEY ’94GEd was Infantryman Badge” among other awards for actively overcome challenges, provided community service, appointed principal of Leonardo engaging in ground combat while deployed in support demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative, da Vinci Intermediate School 61 of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned in December and had an impact on the lives of others. in Corona, NY. with his first armored division to Germany after serving over 15 months in Baghdad. LINDA AGNEW ’94L was named a partner at Jaspan Schlesinger DEBRA PETERSEN ’94Ed is a service coordinator/ KEVIN MURTHA ’92CBA, an attorney and chairman Hoffman LLP, Garden City, NY. case manager for All Children’s Hospital in of the local Easter Seals board in Melbourne, FL, St. Petersburg, FL. finished the Belle Isle sprint triathlon in 1:05:11 and the Great Floridian Half-Ironman in 7:18 raising PETER REDDY ’94C is an account executive for $9,000 for charity. Honeywell International in Morristown, NJ.

46 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine

MARVIN DRAGER ’40UC is the LIZA DeLUCA BURBY ’85SVC EMANUEL XAVIER ’90SVC, author of The Most Glorious is managing editor of Long Island an award-winning poet and author Crown: The Story of America’s Parents & Children magazine of a novel and two books of poetry, Triple Crown Thoroughbreds and author of How to Publish edited Bullets & Butterflies from Sir Barton to Affirmed Your Children’s Book (Square (Suspect Thoughts Press, 2005), (Triumph Books, 2005). One Publishers, 2004). a collection of spoken-word poetry. NICHOLAS ZACCHEA ’60CBA JOSEPH COEN ’88MLS and co-authored the article “International Corruption: The PATRICK McNAMARA ’94G are the co-authors of DANIELLA BERNETT ’93SVC Republic of Indonesia is Strengthening the Ability of Its Diocese of Immigrants: The Brooklyn Catholic Experience, is the author of Timeless Allure: Auditors to Battle Corruption” in the Fall 2004 issue of 1853-2003 (Editions du Signe, 2004), a history of the A Collection of Poetry the Journal of Government Financial Management. Brooklyn Diocese in honor of its 150th anniversary. (PublishAmerica, 2004).

MICHAEL DiGENNARO ’72G authored his first children’s NINA CORBETT ’88SVC has CHRISTOPHER KURTZ ’94C book, The Lid (Richard C. Owen Publishers, 2005). written a debut romance novel, is co-author of Dark Truths: Standing In The Shadows of Modern Theories of Serial KEVIN CLANCY ’76C wrote Your Thriving Relationship Love (Sepia, 2005), about two Murder (Virgin Books, 2004). Now (Booklocker.com, 2004) which outlines five steps to 30-something career women making a relationship happy and lasting. who get caught up in their PAUL STEINBERG ’02L published “Beguiling Heresy: quest to find “Mr. Right.” Regulating The Franchise Relationship” (Penn State Law CHRYSA SMITH ’82CBA is a freelance writer published Review, Vol. 109, No. 1) which was reviewed and the in several national and regional publications including Pool subject of commentary in the April 2005 edition of & Spa Living, CarbLite and Design NJ. She was also a Franchise Times magazine. contributor to As If By Magic: Owners Praise the Wonders of Hot Tubs and Spas (Manor House Publishing, 2001).

Storm Trackers Want You

We want to know what’s new with you since you left St. John’s. Have you been promoted? Changed jobs? Received an award? Moved? Started a family? Retired? Please use this form as a guide for submitting personal anecdotes and updated information. Mail your submission to: St. John’s University, c/o Alumnotes Editor, Alumni Magazine, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, fax it to (718) 990-6785, e-mail [email protected] or enter online at www.sjualumni.com News submissions will be published in the order received. Submissions may be edited for space and style.

Name: SS#: Year: School: First Middle/Maiden Last (Used for graduation verification) Home Address: Apt. #: if new address, as of:

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In Holy Matrimony / In The Family Way In Memoriam Spouse’s Name: First Middle/Maiden Last Year/School (if also an alum) First Middle/Maiden Last

(For “In Holy Matrimony”) (For “In The Family Way”) Yr./School: Date of death: Wedding date: Child’s Name: Date of birth: (If other than family member, guardian or legal executor, submissions to I Son I Daughter In Memoriam must include a printed obit).

I would like information on: I Arts & Adventure Series I Annual Giving Opportunities I Chapter Gatherings I Other alum notes

30s 50s 60s 80s Joseph Bellafiore ’31C, ’33G Eleanor Amend ’50NDC Robert Stegmann ’61CBA Louis DalPont ’80C Benedict Sohm ’35CBA Raymond Midwinter ’50C Salvatore Catena ’63C Stephen Johnson ’80P Mario Medio ’38C Lawrence J. Redmond ’50L Eduardo Lopez ’63L Anthony Moretti ’82C Hon. Joseph J. Weiser ’38L Vincent Armstrong ’51CBA, ’52L Vincent Sgro ’63L Judy Purcell ’84SVC Francis V. Carine ’39L Angelo Barelli ’51CBA Christopher Jordan ’64CBA Jane Pashkoff ’51NDC Louis Silveri ’64G 90s Rudolph J. Caggiano ’52GEd Sr. Theresa Roche ’67Ph.D. Karen Price ’92P 40s David Bono ’53CBA Diana Dailyda ’93MBA Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Donovan ’40C Agnes Dempsey ’53G,’55Ph.D. Edward Dudley ’41L Sr. Mary Logan ’53Ed, ’65G 70s Sr. Helen Frances ’41P Harold Murphy ’53C Kathleen Stack ’70Ed 00s Thomas Barry ’42CBA James Mannion ’71L Robert DeMartini ’54UC Michael Rudolph ’01TCB Michael F. Manley ’43CBA Charles Heerlein ’54CBA Katherine Avella ’72GEd Joseph Termini ’43C Marilyn Halpin ’55NDC Kevin Reilly ’72CBA Vivian Pardovich ’45NDC Mary Robertine ’55NEd, ’59GNEd Raymond Kirchmer ’74CBA William E. Fisher, Jr. ’46CBA Lawrence Ammaturo ’57P Steven Schapiro ’74L Philip Coombe ’47L Donald McNulty ’57CBA Kathryn Versheck ’74Ed Peter Corrallo ’47L S. Noella Walas ’57CBA John Collins ’76CBA Jerome Kramer ’47CBA Thomas McHale ’58CBA Edward Ryan ’48L Charles McIntyre '58UC, '63L Margaret Green ’49CBA Virginia Hogan ’49UC Ivor Summer ’49CBA

Hon. Patrick Beary ’32C, ’34L Edward Dudley ’41L While an undergraduate, Hon. Beary was a member of the first rifle team A civil rights pioneer, lawyer and judge, Dudley was the United States’ first and remained at alma mater to pursue a law degree. As an attorney, he black ambassador. A native of Roanoke, VA, he had an early interest in his practiced for many years in Queens with his beloved wife, Marie. His father’s dentistry profession but changed paths to become a lawyer. In distinguished law career included a term as a New York administrative 1942, he was appointed assistant state attorney general for New York. judge and involvement in several landmark cases including one that He served on the staff of the National Association for the Advancement resulted in mandatory partitions around hockey arenas to protect of Colored People and traveled throughout the south arguing civil rights spectators after a fan was struck and killed by a puck. His love of the law cases. From 1945 to 1947, he served as executive assistant and legal was matched by his love of the written word and he was a member of counsel to the governor of the Virgin Islands, and in 1948, then-President the Academy of American Poets and unofficial poet laureate of Highland Harry Truman nominated him as envoy to Liberia, a position he accepted Beach, FL. His poetry appeared in numerous newspapers, journals and assuming his term would be short since he believed Truman would not anthologies and in 1990, Dublin-born singer Michael Owens recorded be reelected. Truman won and turned the consulate into an embassy the Judge Beary’s poem “Happy Birthday, Lovely Lady.” He conducted many following year, and Dudley became ambassador serving for five years. conferences and seminars as president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild and In 1961, he was elected president of the borough of Manhattan and the Kiwanis Club, was a Knight of Malta and worked pro bono for numerous following year ran for the attorney general's office – becoming the first charitable organizations. black man on a New York ticket – but lost. In 1964, he won a seat on the New York State Supreme Court where he remained until 1985.

Submissions to In Memoriam must be received by letter, e-mail or as a printed obit from a family member, guardian or legal executor to Lisa Capone, Division of Institutional Advancement, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439 or via fax to (718) 990-1813.

50 St. John’s University I Alumni Magazine alum notes

William Reilly ’77CBA and Michael Mangino ’72C and Eloise Merlino Mangino ’73C Antoinette DiRaimondo Reilly ’77CBA Eloise Mangino’s husband walked right into her heart. As a student in the spring of 1971, Lunchtime was the right time for Bill Reilly and his future the enthusiastic sophomore pledged Kappa Phi Beta sorority and was assigned a “big bride. The pair sat down with mutual friends for a meal in sister.” The big sisters in turn could “gift” each new the Rathskeller in 1973, and were soon chatting up a member a “big brother” who would protect the new storm. While they had noticed each other before, and had pledges during the hazing period from any harsh even shared some treatment. of the same classes, As destiny would have it, Mike Mangino, a it was their first member of Alpha Phi Delta fraternity, was chosen official meeting and as Eloise’s “big brother” and she was required to they continued to interview him as part of her initiation for the “Dog converse even as Book,” an informal collection of bios about the their friends drifted brothers and sisters. She was so taken with his kind away to class. They and caring manner and his self-deprecating humor married in 1978, that the pair started dating soon after. Because Bill and Antoinette Reilly enjoy a night became the Eloise worked hard to keep her grades up and out on the town. parents of two sons, maintain her scholarship, she could be found in the and moved quite a bit until settling in Georgia where library every morning before class with her head Antoinette is an accounting/financial manager and Bill is buried in the books and waiting to rendevous with the owner/operator of an Atlanta Bread Company franchise. Mike when he popped in for a visit. Their relationship even survived a five-year Mike and Eloise on their wedding day. separation during Mike’s active duty service, and Jim Muniz ’88CBA, ’98MBA and they married upon his return. Today, the couple Vera Rodrigues Muniz ’95CBA, ’97MBA lives in Forest Hills, NY, and are the parents of four children. Eloise says she is grateful Business was pleasure for the future Mr. and Mrs. Muniz. to still have the protection of her “big brother” after more than 30 years. After completing an undergraduate degree and working for a few years, Jim decided to return to alma mater to complete a master’s. As an executive management major, he enrolled in a marketing course in the fall of 1996 that was part of his core curriculum. Vera Rodrigues, an accounting major, signed up for the same class as an elective. When the professor instructed the From l., Eloise; Vera and Jim Muniz on their students to break out into daughters Cara, Laura wedding day. groups of three, Vera’s friend and Barbara; Mike; turned to Jim and announced, “You’re in our group.” and son Michael on After many late nights working on projects, Jim finally Laura and Barbara’s graduation day. worked up the nerve to tell Vera how strongly he felt about her and the pair began dating. In a year, they were engaged, married in 1999, and are now the parents of a If St. John’s played a role as matchmaker in your life, we want to know about it. daughter and are expecting a new baby this summer. If there are several generations of St. John’s graduates in your family, we want to The family lives in Mineola, NY, where Jim is a market know that also. Share your story with the Alumni Magazine readership by contacting manager for a Canadian paper manufacturer while Vera the associate editor at (212) 284-7009 or at [email protected] is financial analyst for a health care corporation.

Spring/Summer 2005 51 a conversation

The Erudite Athlete

When Oprah Winfrey’s book club became a national sensation, it and H.G. Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights, has attracted only men who seemed women around the world fervently snatched up every hard- are as much sports fans as they are lovers of the written word. cover she “loved” and began reading again, or at least reading more Spreading the word about sports heroes is close to Alfieri’s heart often, in droves. Well, one educator, former high school coach and as he is also the author of the forthcoming Cast A Giant Shadow about member of the St. John’s 1959 championship basketball team knows the life of Joe Lapchick, coach of both St. John’s men’s basketball and that bibliophiles congregating for a little discourse and dissection is the New York Knicks, and the lessons Alfieri learned when he nothing new, but thought why not give the gathering a new twist by played for the legendary coach as a point guard at the University. forming a club where men read and discuss sports-themed books. Alfieri recently stopped reading long enough to allow Alumni Now, as the founder and moderator of the hugely-popular Sports Magazine readers a peek at some chapters in his own life. Pages Roundtable in Long Island that is attracting national attention, What do you do for a living? I run the All-American Basketball Gus Alfieri ’59C, ’64GEd has to turn away new members and is Camp that I started 37 years ago where we teach the fundamentals even considering spinning off new groups. After an article appeared of the sport. I teach a class on sports and society at Stony Brook in a local newspaper late last year about Alfieri and his assembly, University and I write a sports column for six local newspapers. calls started coming in from other sports enthusiasts and book lovers asking him how they go about setting up similar clubs and if What do you think people would find interesting about you? he’d speak at local libraries and for literary groups. I think that my whole life I’ve been a tenacious overachiever. And while women are more than welcome to attend, so far the I don’t stay down. I always get back up. group’s reading list of books, such as Pat Conroy’s My Losing Season How did your childhood shape or prepare you for what you do today? We moved from Williamsburg to Greenpoint right across the street from a Catholic school that had a gym. The Christian brothers there taught me basketball and basketball changed my life. If you could pursue any other profession, what would it be and why? Maybe a minister because I’d like to reach out to people. What would you consider your greatest triumph? I could say several things like the drive to the basket where I was fouled and scored, which clinched the NIT championship for us in 1959. Or the winning streak of 49 games I had as a coach. Or going back to school to get my Ph.D. later in life. But really, my greatest triumph was marrying my wife. What is your greatest disappointment? Not having enough time with my dad. What characteristics do you most admire in others? Honesty, forth- rightness and a sense of character. My biggest disappointments have come from people saying they were going to do something and not following through. Whenever I say something, I try very hard to keep my word and do it. Who are your personal heroes? Definitely Joe Lapchick, my uncle, Ben Alfieri, who was a great uncle to me, and my mother who was my heroine. She would always bolster and encourage us. What person, living or dead, would you like to meet that you haven’t already? I’d say John Wayne, John F. Kennedy and St. Francis of Assisi would be a good lineup. What is your favorite quote? I used to tell my students “Your mind is your measurement of success” because you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. How would you best like to be remembered? As a good player for St. John’s, a good coach, a good husband and a good father. That’s not too bad, I think.

Gus Alfieri (holding book) with members of the book club. To his left is Sandy Atlas, head of circulation for the Smithtown Library.

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