Spring 2006 Vol. 7, No. 3 AWizard in Oz Balancing black and red in a technicolor town 20 06 New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Friday, May 19 I 7:10 p.m. Shea Stadium I Flushing, New York $27 per person* - upper reserved seating Skyline Princess Brunch Cruise Saturday, June 10 I 10 a.m. Includes round-trip bus transportation from the Queens campus, private East River sailing with views of the Manhattan skyline, brunch, taxes and gratuities. Tarzan, The Broadway Musical Sunday, June 17 I 2 p.m. I Richard Rogers Theatre I New York City Tarzan has his first encounter with humans and must choose where he belongs – the “civilized” world or the “wild” one that nurtured him. $74 per person* - rear mezzanine seating The Wedding Singer Sunday, September 24 I 3 p.m. I Al Hirschfeld Theatre I New York City Robbie Hart lives in his grandmother’s basement in New Jersey and sings in a wedding band. When his own fiancée leaves him standing at the altar, he turns to a new friend who’s engaged to a wealthy Wall Street broker. $106 per person* - front mezzanine For more information or for tickets, contact Susan Bunatta at (718) 990-2356, toll free at (877) SJU-ALUM or e-mail [email protected] *$5 will be donated to the University 25th Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend June 9 – 11, 2006 Celebrating the class years of 1931, ’36, ’41, ’46, ’51, ’56, ’61, ’66, ’71, ’76, ’81, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’01 DO: STAY: I Take a brunch cruise Enjoy the dorm life around Manhattan experience by staying I Participate in complimentary in one of our affordable, specialty seminars on-campus residence halls. I Enjoy the Welcome Home Summer Barbeque I Celebrate at the Gala Cocktail SAVE: Reception and Dinner Dance I Attend the alumni Mass Register before May 24 and brunch and receive 40 percent I Tour the campus including the or more off on the Red newly-built Taffner Field House Storm Day Package and St. Thomas More Church and the Reunion Weekend Package. For more information or to serve as a member of your class committee, call the Office of Advancement Events at (718) 990-2929, toll free at (877) SJU-ALUM or e-mail [email protected] Visit our Web site at www.stjohns.edu/alumni for updates and registration information. president’s message Vol. 7, No. 3 Spring 2006 Dear Friends, I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce you to this issue Publisher Donald J. Harrington, C.M. of the Alumni Magazine and, in so doing, to comment briefly on the President articles contained herein as well as to share with you some of the recent Dave Wegrzyn Vice President news of the University. Institutional Advancement Perhaps most significant is the fact that our Campaign for St. John’s Catherine Camera ’65CBA Contributing Editor — Fulfilling the Dream has met its goal, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our loyal alumni and special friends. Your exceptional Editorial Staff outpouring of support allowed us to steadily increase our ultimate goal Valerie Peters Editor to an unprecedented $250 million, an ambitious figure to be sure but Lisa France one which has now been exceeded by more than $10 million as the Writer/Associate Editor Campaign enters its final days. Danielle Bushell Alumnotes This spring, a team from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools came to St. John’s for its regular decennial accreditation The St. John’s Alumni Magazine is published by the visit. In preparation for that visit, the University engaged in a self-study, Division of Institutional Advancement for alumni, staff, focusing on topics that were of special interest and concern to us as an faculty and friends of St. John’s. institution. One of those topics was our Vincentian mission, which is Send address changes to: Lisa Capone both a strength and challenge for St. John’s. Clearly, it is what makes Division of Institutional Advancement us distinctive. At the same time, given the decline in the number of St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Vincentian priests, there was a need to explore ways of inculcating the Queens, NY 11439, by fax to (718) 990-1813, mission into the very fabric of our institution, so that our graduates by e-mail to [email protected] or return the enclosed form. literally live the mission. It is particularly appropriate, therefore, that Correspondence: this issue of the magazine highlights three alumni — Ed Romano, The Alumni Magazine staff welcomes Sr. Elizabeth Burns, RSM, and Tom McInerney — who have done your thoughts and comments. Please address letters to: precisely that: adopted the Vincentian mission of service as their own. Editor, Alumni Magazine St. John’s University I trust that you will find their stories inspiring as well as indicative of 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439 the ideals that animate our institution. or e-mail [email protected]. Our St. John’s family is indeed a nurturing one, and every one of Letters and articles may be edited for publication. you is special to alma mater. I invite you to return to campus for Consistent with the University’s mission as a our 25th Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend in June and renew your Catholic, Vincentian and metropolitan institution of higher education, the University abides by all friendships with classmates and faculty members who were such an applicable federal, state and local laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, important part of your life. color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital In the meanwhile, I invite you to enjoy this issue of the St. John’s status or disability in admitting students to its programs or in administering its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan Alumni Magazine. programs, athletics and other institutionally administered programs or activities generally made available to students at the University. In accordance 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 Donald J. Harrington, C.M. University continually strives to fulfill its educational goals by maintaining a fair, humane, responsible and non-discriminatory environment for all students 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. contents features 14 Edward Romano is working wonders in a wondrous industry where the line between reality and illusion is often blurred. 20 Waging a one-woman war to bring out of hiding a very real condition affecting some very neglected women in Ghana. 26 Alumni involvement brought the capital campaign to unprecedented success, but the need doesn’t end here. departments 4 noteworthy 8 up front Advancing business leadership Libraries as classrooms New financial lab Visit our Web site for the latest Leveling LSAT prep Long-distance learning updates, news and events at www.stjohns.edu/alumni 30 campus briefs Commencement traditions or call (877) SJU-ALUM. Legacy of legends Mock trial team victorious 41 giving back 42 alumnotes On the cover: Edward Romano on the Warner Bros. 52 a conversation studio lot in Burbank, CA. Celebrating Courage Clinic Lands Since 1995, the University Federal community has come together Support the last week in January to celebrate Founder’s Week in The School of Law’s Child honor of its Vincentian heritage. Advocacy Clinic, where This year’s series of workshops, second- and third-year law lectures, luncheons, discussions, films and a special convocation students serve as advocates and Mass were centered around for children involved in the theme “Courage: To Act Queens county court cases, With Love.” received significant federal At the Mass held in St. Thomas funding secured by New York More church on the Queens Senator Hillary Rodham campus, University President Clinton. Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. The $300,000 allocation challenged those present to open from the 2006 Science, their eyes to those less fortunate. State, Justice, Commerce “Do I have the courage to really and Related Agencies encounter the poor and let them Appropriations Act will aid convert me?” he asked, after students in representing the sharing the stories of St. Vincent best interests of their young de Paul and the apostle Paul on clients in cases ranging from the road to Damascus. “I ask that, alleged abuse to educational as a community, we really look at neglect. The students conduct what the blindness is in ourselves. Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. conducts the Founder’s Week Mass. research on the cases, referred Are we blind to the poor?” to the clinic from the Queens Those honored at the Queens, who received the Caritas of Pharmacy and Allied Health Legal Aid Society, plus prepare convocation were: Sharon Lynch Medal; Marilyn Martone ’86G, Professions, who received the legal documents and work Norton ’74L, associate dean and associate professor of theology St. Vincent de Paul Medal; and with education and psychology associate professor of criminal and religious studies, who Sr. Madeline Kavanagh, D.C., students to address the justice and legal studies, who received the St. Elizabeth of St. John’s the Baptist R.C. children’s needs. received the Vincentian Mission Ann Seton Medal; Robert Parish in Bedford-Stuyvesant, “I am grateful and Award; Gladys and Bruce Brown, Mangione ’77P, ’79GP, ’93PD, Brooklyn, who received the proud that Senator Clinton civic leaders in South Jamaica, ’99Ed.D, dean of the College President’s Medal. recognizes and supports the longstanding commitment of Award recipients and honored guests at the Vincentian St.