October 26, 2012
St. John’s University was founded on the premise that education
leads to opportunity and, ultimately, to success. With the addition
of the faith-based foundation of Catholic education, the final
experience becomes even more valuable for both students and
society.
Robert B. Catell - A&E Networks Biography Video
Christie B. de Nicola and Anthony J. de Nicola - A&E Networks
Biography Video
Lewis S. Ranieri ’86C, ’87HON - A&E Networks Biography
Video
Photo gallery
The 1,153 guests who attended the 15th Annual St. John’s
University President’s Dinner, held as always in the Grand Ballroom
of New York’s Waldorf~Astoria, helped to raise $2.9 million to
support scholarships for St. John’s students and strengthen
Catholic education throughout the greater New York metropolitan
area.
The
President’s Dinner is highlighted by the presentation of the
University’s Spirit of Service Award, established in 1998 to
recognize exceptional persons whose vision, accomplishments and
good works personify the compassion and zeal for service of St.
Vincent de Paul. Those honored included Robert B. Catell, Chairman,
Futures in Education, Diocese of Brooklyn and Chairman, Cristo Rey
Brooklyn High School; Christie B. de Nicola and Anthony J. de
Nicola, Co-President, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe; and
Lewis S. Ranieri ’86C, ’87HON, Chairman, Tomorrow’s Hope
Foundation, Diocese of Rockville Centre and Chairman and President,
Ranieri and Co., Inc.
“Tonight, we celebrate not only Catholic and Vincentian
education at St. John’s, but also the Catholic school
system,” said St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., “and we celebrate honorees who continue to give
of themselves to strengthen Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of
New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville
Centre. Tonight’s dinner will enable us to move forward in shaping
an ever stronger St. John’s University, and it is our hope that it
will also assist Catholic education on all levels.”
As he has since 2005, William L. Collins ’76C served as
Co-Chairperson of the University’s premier fundraising event, along
with his wife, Leslie H. Collins ’83SVC. He thanked those in
attendance for their generous support and acknowledged the
outstanding commitment of the 2012 Spirit of Service Award
honorees.
“It’s all
too easy to look the other way and pretend that we don’t see the
needs around us,” noted Collins, “but each of you has done just the
opposite. You’ve done whatever you could to make a difference for
others, and in their name and on their behalf, I am privileged to
offer a profound thank you for bringing the mission of St. John’s
University and the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul to those who need
it most.”
In recent years a number of economic and social factors have
combined to jeopardize the viability of our Catholic schools.
Robert Catell is aware of how these factors have already impacted
the Catholic school system in the Diocese of Brooklyn, where he was
born and raised.
“The biggest challenge facing Catholic education today is
financial,” he noted, “ but I think we can turn things around, as
long as we recognize that the need is there and that it’s up to us
to address it. This night is about raising money so that those
young people who deserve to get a good education will be able to do
so.”
For the past 25 years, Christie and Tony de Nicola have
enthusiastically shared their time and talents to support a broad
range of Catholic social action initiatives. While their commitment
to making a difference for others has occasionally taken them down
different paths on their respective journeys of service, a mutual
commitment to fostering the continued availability of Catholic
education has always been their primary
focus.
“Christie and I support Catholic education because of the
Catholic identity component of it,” said Tony, “and because
these schools help our students achieve their God-given potential.
In short, Catholic schools work, and we’re happy to be a part of
it.”
“Catholic
education is about much more than what happens in the classroom,”
agreed Christie. “The main component is that the education is both
disciplined and faith-based, and that’s a wonderful addition to a
standard curriculum. Students simply don’t get that in public
schools.”
Lewis Ranieri’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of
Catholic schools is both personal and professional. He experienced
the special nature of a Catholic education as a student, and
readily acknowledges that the combination of excellent academics,
strong moral values and personal integrity taught within the
schools he attended had a profound and lasting impact on him.
“I’m a product of Catholic education,” he said, “and I see my
support as an investment in the future, one that pays dividends
immediately. Having had to go through many points in my life where
I had to make moral choices, I thank my Catholic education very
much for that. It’s not only the discipline that makes Catholic
education different. It’s the moral training that carries you
through the crises and decisions you make for the rest of your
life.”
Alumni have always embraced the opportunity to participate in
the success of the President’s Dinner. They see their support as a
way to partner with St. John’s in its commitment to provide
scholarship assistance to deserving students.
Sean Ramlal
’06TCB appreciates everything that St. John’s did for him when he
was a student. “My scholarship made a big difference for me and my
family,” he said, “and I wouldn’t have had my first job if not for
St. John’s. I’m actually a member of the President’s Dinner
Committee, and coming here every year is my way of giving something
back and showing how much St. John’s will always mean to
me.”
Ultimately, it is the students who directly benefit from the
generosity of St. John’s alumni and friends. Not surprisingly, they
are aware of and grateful for the support.
“If it weren’t for St. John’s generous donors, I wouldn’t be
here at the University,” said senior Ana Morales, a member of The
President’s Society. “I grew up in Mexico, and having the
opportunity to come to the United States and study at such a
prestigious university makes me really appreciate what St. John’s
donors did for me. I would love to shake every donor’s hand and
thank them personally for their support.”