magazineWinter 2008 For Alumni and Friends of the University Heart to Heart Living the Vincentian Spirit Plus: STJ Takes on the World Ready and Prepared Vincentian Leadership Artfully Done More than $2.1 million was raised and 1,300 alumni and friends of St. John’s attended the 10th Annual President’s Dinner held at the famed Waldorf=Astoria. The event is a premier one for the University and one of the largest held annually in New York City. president’s message Dear Friends, I am happy to report that the past few months have been ones of exceptional accomplishment at St. John’s University. Our Tenth Annual President’s Dinner was the most successful in history, generating more than $2.1 million in scholarship assistance for the University’s most deserving students. This exceptional event was made even more special by the presence of the many past Spirit of Service Award honorees who returned to celebrate our achievements of the past decade. St. John’s well-deserved reputation as a truly international University continues to grow. This year, St. John’s is home to students from 122 countries around the world, as well as to students from 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The commitment to academic excellence within the context of the University’s distinctive Vincentian mission is indeed a powerful attraction for the more than 20,000 young men and women who have chosen to become a part of the St. John’s family. That mission pervades the features that appear within this issue. I know you will be moved by the story of Paul Napoli ’92L and Marie Kaiser Napoli ’89C, ’93L, a loving and successful alumni couple whose commitment to alma mater is a powerful reflection of the Vincentian values that have been a unifying force in their lives from their very first day on campus. Our mission of caring and concern for others comes vibrantly alive in the story of St. John’s much heralded emergency preparedness system which was utilized to great success last September during the presence of an armed gunman on the Queens campus. You will also enjoy reading of the many global initiatives designed to carry the spirit and ideals of St. Vincent de Paul to many underserved populations around the world. It is with a sense of both pleasure and pride that I share this issue of the St. John’s University Magazine with you, our loyal alumni and special friends. I hope that the articles within it will keep you informed about and connected to the University that means so much to us all. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. President 2 St. John’s University contents features departments 4 noteworthy 14 chapter happenings 18 15 up front Paul and Marie Napoli’s love • Vincentian leadership for each other is matched by • Basketball celebrates centennial their passion for service. • New grant for library program 29 campus briefs • History of student theater • High profile shows at gallery • Bricks and mortar update 38 giving back 46 alumnotes 22 The University is increasing its 52 a conversation global presence and students are benefiting from it. 26 In these uncertain times, St. John’s has taken extra measures to ensure security. magazine Visit our Web site Vol. 9, No. 2 Winter 2008 for the latest updates, The St. John’s University Magazine is published by Publisher Contributing Writers news and events at the Division of Institutional Advancement Donald J. Harrington, C.M. Thomas Burke ’68C, ’71G for alumni, staff, faculty and friends of St. John’s. www.stjohns.edu/alumni President or call (877) 758-ALUM. Correspondence: Contributing Photographers The St. John’s University Magazine staff welcomes your thoughts and comments. Please address letters to: Editorial Staff Adam Bell Steve Grimes Editor, St. John’s Magazine, St. John’s University, Sheri Welte Ted Horowitz 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439 Managing Editor or e-mail [email protected] Giscard James ’05CPS Jihad Nammour Letters and articles may be edited for publication. Lisa France Editor/Writer Christopher Semetis ’04CPS, ’06MBA Send address changes to: Charles Thompson Lisa Capone, Division of Institutional Advancement, Dorothy E. Habben, Ph.D. ’66G St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Contributing Editor Office of Alumni Relations Queens, NY 11439, by fax to (718) 990-6859, by e-mail to [email protected] Danielle Bushell William Schaeffer ‘73CBA or return the enclosed form. Alumnotes Director Consistent with the University’s mission as a Catholic, Vincentian and metropolitan institution of higher education, the University abides by all applicable federal, On the cover: state and local laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status or disability in admitting students to its programs or in administering its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and Paul (’92L) and loan programs, athletics and other institutionally administered programs or activities generally made available to students at the University. In accordance with Marie Napoli ’89C, ’93L 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 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. Service Day Breaks Records The Sixth Annual Service Day held in September evolved into the largest ever when more than 1,400 volunteers reached out to the community to offer of themselves in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. Following morning prayer services at the Queens and Staten Island campuses, students, faculty, administrators and alumni ventured out to more than 85 different sites through- out the five boroughs and Nassau and Suffolk Counties. that call was answered today St. John’s community The theme, “What a Difference by the numerous volunteers embodying the a Day Makes,” was evident as participating in University University’s core value volunteers participated in Service Day.” of service and Vincentian activities including working Colleen Costello ’90CBA said Mission. A small group with children and elderly she welcomed the opportunity of University volunteers residents, hosting food drives at to give back. “I am someone who participated in the neighborhood supermarkets for has found herself to be in great inaugural University those in need and beautifying need and blessed to receive Service Day in 2002 and the community. help,” she said. “I believe it is the event has increased in “Today truly defines who we our obligation as humans and as participation each year. are as a Vincentian University,” Christians to serve one another, said Rev. Michael Carroll, C.M., to do God's work, not for executive vice president for recognition or acknowledgement Mission and Branch Campuses from others, but simply because at St. John’s. “St. Vincent de it is the right thing to do.” Paul believed we are called Service Day is a University-wide to ‘respond to the cry of the celebration scheduled each poor together,’ and he would year on the fourth Saturday in challenge us to continue to seek September to coincide with the out ways to serve the poor and feast of St. Vincent de Paul and vulnerable. The response to involves the members of the 4 St. John’s University A Great Day on Wall Street More than 30 students left the Queens “It’s everyone’s dream campus before sunrise one morning in in the financial or November to participate in a premier accounting world to program of The Peter J. Tobin College of spend a day on Wall Business. The Sixth Annual Day On Wall Street and see all Street brought students together with these businesses and alumni and accomplished professionals we got to experience in the world of finance for a full day on that today. And information sharing and networking. having St. John’s The day began with a breakfast alumni here is great presentation at Standard & Poor’s in because we get to Manhattan where esteemed alumni see what we can Thomas Lupo ’70Ed, ’75MBA, vice president achieve once we and general manager, directory services at leave St. John’s.” Participants from the Day on Wall Street program look over the day’s Standard and Poor’s, and Owen Ruhnke itinerary. Michael Wolfe ’89CBA, vice president, finance at Standard ’04TCB was a past & Poor’s, welcomed the students. Those he said. “Know what your skill set is and Day On Wall Street participant who said he assembled were then treated to an overview convey that to whom you want to work. returned to give something back because of Standard & Poor’s by its president, Deven Start with the fundamentals. You need he understands the value of such a program. Sharma, and overviews of the various services to have fun in your job.” “It is very important for me to be here presented by Standard & Poor’s employees The evening also included a cocktail today,” Wolfe said. “I participated in this including Steven Murphy ’81CBA, managing reception and dinner where students were event in 2003 and I was able to meet a director, public finance. Participants later able to mingle with alumni and network. mentor who was able to help me guide my headed to The Depository Trust & Clearing Emma Geiger ’09TCB said the day was a way through my career. We still talk and Corporation (DTCC) for lunch.