April 29, 2010
On
April 22nd, Dr. Joseph A. Giacalone inducted 70 juniors,
seniors, and graduate students into Beta Gamma Sigma, the highest
honor society in the Tobin College of Business. The event was held
at Russo’s on the Bay in Queens with 138 persons in attendance.
Dean Steven Papamarcos served as host and welcomed the audience
which included honorees and their guests as well as several other
Tobin faculty and administrators. Rev. James Dorr, C.M. gave the
invocation. The dais included former Chapter Honoree, Mr. Robert
Kalenka, Vice-President, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Jane
Dunne, past President of the BGS Alumni in NYC, and Dr. Victoria
Shoaf, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at TCB.
Mr.
Brian V. Breheny, an alumnus of both the St. John’s business and
law schools, was the Chapter Honoree and Keynote Speaker. Mr.
Breheny is Deputy Director, Division of Corporation Finance at the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior to joining
the SEC, his career experiences included positions at the public
accounting firm of KPMG and the Law firm of Clifford Chance LLP. He
has also taught at both the Georgetown and Howard University Law
Centers in Washington, D.C.
Aside from the inductees, many faculty members of the Tobin
College were honored at the event for their prestigious and
dedicated works of service. One such honoree was Professor John P.
Clarke, Department of Law, who was designated 2010 Beta Gamma Sigma
Professor of the Year. 
Professor Clarke was recognized for his long teaching
career and service in a variety of business school and University
roles, including Director of Alumni Relations, Chairman of the Law
Department, service to the Bread and Life Program where he was
honored as a Johnny’s Angel, and work on the annual President’s
Dinner.
Dr. Jay Nathan, Professor of Management, also received an
honorary faculty membership. Dr. Nathan was recognized for his
professional and academic career in management practice and
education. Among his many achievements are several Fulbright Senior
Scholar awards to Poland, Kazahkstan, and Mongolia. He has also
been the recipient of honorary professorships and lectured in many
countries throughout the world.
Two BGS seniors, Thang Dao and Lubna Lundy, reflected on their
attendance at the Beta Gamma Sigma Student Leadership Forum and
encouraged the juniors present to compete for slots in next year’s
Forums. The Beta Gamma Sigma Alumni Chapter of New York City
awarded two medallions for outstanding overall achievement. The
undergraduate recipient was Thang Dao and the graduate medal went
to Annette Lesniewski. The event marked the 41st annual
initiation dinner of the St. John’s Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter.
Chapter officers, Drs. Joseph Giacalone, Sylvia Clark, and Ryall
Carroll, as well as Dean Victoria Shoaf were involved in the
initiation ceremony and presentation of certificates and
keys.