Volume XXII May/June 1978 Number 5 University Confers Degrees, Honors At 108th Commencement Ceremonies Alumni ranks swelled to more Honorary degree recipients lyn, received the Medal at the than 65,000 as St. John's Univer­ represented the fields of religion, Staten Island ceremonies. An as­ sity conferred some 2,000 under­ medicine, communications, en­ sistant to the Pontifical Throne, graduate degrees at its 108th tertainment, business, education he had served for 29 years as Commencement. and law. Brooklyn Diocesan Director of Very Rev. Joseph T. Cahill, the Society of the Propagation of C. M., President of St. John's Alumna Honored the Faith. University, presided as a sig­ Alumna Dolores Conklin Hon. Ed ward D. Re '41 CBA, nificant number of honorary de­ Leckey '54UC, executive direc­ '43L, '68Hon., Chief Judge of grees and medals were also pre­ tor of the Secretariat for the the United States Customs Court sented to prominent individuals, Laity of the National Conference in New York City, was the including several alumni, during of Catholic Bishops, received the Medal of Honor recipient in the commencement ceremonies honorary degree of Doctor of Queens. Judge Re, who was on May 20 at the Staten Island Humane Letters at the Staten Is­ named to the Court in 1968 by campus and on May 21 at land ceremonies. President Johnson, was elevated Queens. An educator for the past 24 to its Chief Judge by President Graduate and law degrees, as years, Mrs. Leckey has also Carter last year. well as additional honors, will served as a consultant in public Hon. James B. McNally '17C, be conferred at commencement and religious education. Ap­ '45Hon., retired Justice of the exercises June 4 at the Queens pointed last year to the new sec­ New York State Supreme Court, campus. retariat, she is now involved in Appellate Division, First Judicial various programs designed to Departm.ent, will receive the Annual Fund Appeal promote continuing theological Medal on June 4. Judge Me­ education of laity and clergy. N ally, who served in the Su­ ALUMNI were among the prominent individuals honored at Needs Alumni Help Honorary degrees were also preme Court for 27 years before University Convocation on April Il at the Queens campus. Wil­ conferred at the Staten Island his retirement in 1972, is now liam J. Connolly '57C, '60L, (above) legal consultant to the Su­ The 1978 Annual Fund appeal exercises upon Jack O'Brian, counsel . to the New York City preme Court in Nassau County and a past president of the St. was initiated this spring by Very journalist and radio critic, and law firm of Seward and Kissel. John's College Alumni Association, received the Pietas Medal, Rev. Joseph T. Cahill, C.M., Joseph J. Panzarella, Jr., M.D., Both Judge Re and Judge Me­ an award given to alumni for loyalty, fidelity and devotion to President of St. John's Univer­ specialist in physical medicine N ally are former members of the Alma Mater. The honorary degree of Doctor of Science was sity. and rehabilitation. faculty of St. John's University conferred upon William L. Werner, M.D. '55UC, director of the In a letter to all alumni, Father At the Queens ceremonies, the School of Law. Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens. Photo by Gene Luttenberg Cahill asked their support again honorary degree recipients were this year in helping St. John's J. Peter Grace, president and June Ceremonies Art Collection Donated to St. John's maintain its student financial-aid chief executive officer of W.R. program. He thanked the alumni Grace and Company, New York Alumnus and eminent jurist, An outstanding collection of Hiroshige and Toyokuni, and the for their past efforts, noting that City; Sam Levenson, educator, Hon. Milton B. Mollen '50L, Oriental art has been donated to nineteenth century Chinese ivory their generous response to last author and humorist; and Miriam Presiding Justice of the New St. John's Center for Asian carver, Yu Shin. year's appeal had enabled the Theresa Rooney, adviser in in­ York State Supreme Court, Ap­ Studies by the late Harry C. University to provide financial pellate Division, Second Judicial The pieces were collected by ternationallaw to the Delegation Goebel, an attorney and Oriental aid for more than 4,000 students. Department, will receive the Mr. Goebel, a native of Brook­ of the Holy See at the tJ nited art collector. That number, however, is ex­ honorary degree of Doctor of lyn, N.Y., from his high school Nations. The collection, consisting of pected to increase significantly in Laws at the June 4 ceremonies. days until his death in 1976 at age 595 rare and exquisite pieces of the coming year as tuition costs Medal of Honor Judge Mollen has had a long 82. Mter he had lectured here in Chinese and Japanese artworks continue to rise. Three outstanding alumni were and distinguished career in public 1975 and exhibited several trea­ dating fr4>m the seventh to the The annual tuition at St. John's designated to receive the U ni­ and judicial service. He is a past sures from his collection in the nineteenth century, has been for the 1978/79 academic year versity's prestigious Medal of president of the St. John's Law Center's Chung Cheng Art Gal­ valued at $500,000. Included are will be $2,600 plus fees, reflecting Honor at each ceremony. The Review Alumni Association and lery, he then decided that the St. ornamental miniature carvings, a six per cent increase. A similar medal is given in high tribute to also served as vice president of John's Center for Asian Studies paintings, pottery, ivory boxes, percentage of tuition increase those benefactors of St. John's the School of Law Alumni As­ would serve as an excellent traveling shrines and sword was announced this spring by who have displayed exemplary sociation. showcase for his valued art­ guards, each exemplifying the other colleges and universities commitment, dedication and loy­ Honorary degrees will also oe works. creativity and technical expertise throughout the country. alty to the University. conferred at the June exercises of the Oriental artists. Alumni will be able to view the A full report of all alumni con­ Most Reverend John J. uporr Augusta Baker, author and Represented in the collection Goebel collection at a major tributors to the 1977 Annual Boardman, D.D., LL.D. '17C, specialist in children's literature, are several of the works of the exhibit planned for next spring on Fund appeal will be published by '21Sem., '52Hon., Auxiliary and Paul Anka, composer and Japanese yukio-e masters, the Queens campus. the University early this summer. Bishop of the Diocese of Brook- entertainer. Alumni at the University Ball DANCING 'til the wee hours at the University Ball on May 6 at the Terrace on the Park were Marylou and Jim Mannix '35C (left), Mary and Ray Fleck '41C, '47L (below), and Helen and Joe Fitzpatrick '52CBA (right). More than 900 alumni, bene­ factors and friends of St. John's University enjoyed the eve­ ning's festivities, making the 1978 Ball one of the best-attended and most financially successful in the twenty-one year history of the event. Photos by Gene Luttenberg 2 St. John's University Alumni News, May/June 1978 At A Glance Special Events Hosted by Alumni Federation In Memoriam by Jack Lillis JoHN J. BuTLER '20C of Sayville, Director of Alumni Relations N.Y. A certified public accountant, he is survived by two sons, Gerald J. and John M. 'SOC of Chicago, Ill. It is interesting to note the striking similarities between col­ THOMAS J. FITZPATRICK '26C, '38G leges and families. of Brooklyn, N.Y. on Feb. 5 at age In both, there are strong, 75. A prominent educator and attor­ natural ties among the members, ney, he had served in the New York reinforced by closeness of ex­ City public school system for more perience and purpose. Colleges, thim 40 years as teacher, school ad­ ministrator, coordinator of the day much in the same way as summer high schools, and, most re­ families, develop cherished tradi­ cently, as legislative representative of tions around events and per­ the New York City Board of Educa­ sonalities. There are times to tion. He was a past president of the celebrate, such as anniversaries. State Association of Summer School There are opportunities to lend a Principals. Survivors include his hand. There are memories for wife, Teresa, and a son, Thomas J., sharing. And there are mile­ Jr. of Sparta, N.J. stones that mark the roads that SALVATORE A. COSTA '33C, '35L of we've traveled. Cambria Heights, N.Y. on Nov. 3. A Some noteworthy milestones principal rent examiner for the New that the St.John' sfamily is observ­ York State Division of Housing and ing this year deserve mention. SPEAKERSat College Information Night heldApril/2 on Queens campus under the sponsorship of the Community Renewal, Office of Rent For one, the Skull and Circle St. John's University Alumni Federation included (left to right) Patrick E. McGee '42C, '47L, '73Hon., St. Administration, in New York City, honor society of St. John's Col­ John's administrative vice president; Joseph P. A terno '52P, chairman of the Alumni Federation board of he also maintained a private law prac­ lege marked the golden anniver­ directors; Linda Cronin '78C, president of St. John's forensic society; and John C. Savage '53C, president tice in Queens. He is survived by his wife, Serafina M., and two sary of its founding a few weeks of Norman, Craig & Kummel advertising agency~ Similar program was held on Staten Island campus on ago.