February 11, 2009
The Alumni Association Luncheon, attended by almost three
hundred alumni, students, and friends of the St. John’s Law School
on Friday, January 30 proved to be a true celebration of Law School
pride. The program began with remarks from Alumni Association
President Mary Kay Vyskocil ’83, who extended thanks to the
Luncheon Chair and emcee Thomas Rice ’81 for his hard work.
She also recognized the event sponsors: Speiser Krause Nolan &
Granito, the Hon. Joseph Bellacosa and William A. Gallina
’67. Ms. Vyskocil noted the passing of Dean Mary C. Daly and
her contributions to the advancement of the Law School and how Dean
Daly would want the alumni to carry on and become involved in the
multitude of events and opportunities available through the
association and at St. John’s.
Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations
George Richardson introduced the 2009 recipients of the Belson
Medal. The Belson Medal, named for Maxine and Jerome Belson,
was presented by Mr. Belson and Acting Dean Andrew J. Simons `65 to
Frank H. Granito, III ’87, a partner at Speiser Krause Nolan &
Granito, P.C.; Thomas C. Rice ’81, a partner at Simpson Thacher
& Bartlett, LLP and Mary Kay Vyskocil ’83, a partner at Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett, LLP. The medal is awarded to an
individual who has demonstrated a special loyalty and dedication to
the School of Law, and whose philanthropy has had a significant
impact upon the advancement of legal education at the Law
School.
Dean Simons and Ms. Vyskocil presented the Dean’s Award to the
Honorable Joseph P. Sullivan ’57, ’94HON, Of Counsel at Holland
& Knight, LLP. The Recent Graduate Service Award,
conferred for outstanding service to the School of Law and the
Alumni Association, was presented to Ronald Palmese, Jr. ’03, an
associate at Proskauer Rose, LLP.
During his acceptance, Judge Sullivan reflected on his
life at St. John’s Law School and almost four decades of serving on
the bench. He shared that as a young man living in the Bronx
he was often asked why he didn’t attend Fordham Law. He would
respond in a dry, deadpan manner, “what … and lower my
standards.” Speaking amongst friends post celebration,
Judge Sullivan shared, “today was one of the most memorable days of
my life. There is something special about being honored by your
alma mater and speaking to former classmates from over 50 years
ago. If you told me then that I'd be honored as a retired Appellate
Division Justice at the Law School Luncheon in 2009, I'd have gone
into shock.”
Dean Simons closed the festivities by sharing with attendees a
letter from the PJI regarding Judge Sullivan in which they
described him as a “scholar and gentleman” and applauded St. John’s
Law for honoring such a worthy man. Dean Simon’s also
encouraged alumni to remain close to alma mater through involvement
with alumni chapters, hiring students and graduates for intern and
permanent positions and through the financial support of the Law
School through the Annual Law School Appeal.
All St. John’s Law graduates are invited to participate in the
13th Annual Public Interest Auction on March 19th, 2009 in the St.
John’s Law School Cafeteria. The Silent Auction begins at
6:00 PM and the Live Auction at 8:30 PM.