December 14, 2012
At its meeting on Wednesday, December 12, the University’s Board of
Trustees unanimously and enthusiastically named Peter Tobin as Dean
Emeritus of the College that bears his name. The Board took this
action “in recognition of his great generosity and his
extraordinary record of accomplishment in strengthening business
education at St. John’s University.”
Dean Emeritus Tobin served as Dean from 1998-2003. During those
years, he worked successfully to strengthen and transform the
College, leading it into the 21st century. He focused on securing
additional international support for the business programs offered
at the University’s campus in Rome, Italy. And he spearheaded the
successful merger of St. John’s and The College of Insurance (TCI).
That institution’s programs, employees, students, and alumni became
part of St. John’s University through creation of the School of
Risk Management and Insurance, which is housed within TCB. In
addition, what had been The College of Insurance campus on Murray
Street in New York City became St. John’s Manhattan campus.
Himself a graduate of the College that now bears his name, Dean
Emeritus Tobin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a
major in accounting in 1965. He then went on to an eminently
successful career in public accounting and banking, retiring as
Chief Financial Officer of Chase Manhattan Corporation. Always
close to alma mater, he has been recognized by St. John’s
with an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science; with the Spirit of
Service Award, given to those whose commitment to serving others
emulates that of St. Vincent DePaul, and the Medal of Honor,
the highest award that can be given to an alumnus.
In 1999, Peter and his wife, Mary, currently a member of the
University’s Board of Trustees, made an historic donation to the
College of Business. In grateful acknowledgement, St. John’s
renamed the College after him.
Currently, Peter Tobin continues to serve St. John’s as a member of
the University’s Board of
Governors.