October 03, 2011
Crisp air, fresh dew on the grass and a bright, blue sky: all
the makings of a perfect day of golf, and that’s precisely what
alumni and friends enjoyed at the 2011 Alumni Golf Outing.
Photo Gallery
Held at the beautiful Mill River Club in Upper Brookville, Long
Island, this year’s event raised over $100,000 for student
scholarships, the most in its history. Foursomes teed off
throughout the day, putting their skills to the test in a best-ball
competition, followed by a cocktail reception and dinner in the
clubhouse.
This year’s honoree was Albert M. Farina, CPA ’75CBA, an
outstanding alumnus who currently serves as Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Sound Shore Health System. He’s also
an active member of the St. John’s community and is quick to
attribute his success to the college education he received.
“St. John’s was exceptional and has meant a great deal to me,”
Farina noted. “I know everyone probably says that, but it’s so
true. I met some really great professors who changed what I was
doing in my life. When I first came to St. John’s in 1971, I
stepped onto campus and said, ‘Wow, look at this place!’ And I
still get that same feeling when I see campus today. It’s even more
vibrant than ever.”
Farina enjoyed the opportunity to go golfing with his friends 
and colleagues and appreciated the turnout.
“The course was great, the club was great and everybody had a
fantastic time,” he said. “And with the weather being so beautiful,
you just can’t get much better than this.”
Victor E. Ramos ’91CBA, ’93MBA, Associate Vice President, Division
of Institutional Advancement and Interim Director of Alumni
Relations, welcomed the guests at dinner and thanked them for
making this year’s outing such a success.
“Even in these tough economic times, our alumni and friends still
come out to support us,” Ramos said. “We thank you for not only
this golf outing, but for all of your continued annual support,
which has helped St. John’s University and its students grow in
remarkable ways.”
Melody Howard, a senior in St. John’s College of Professional
Studies, is one of the recipients of the Long Island Alumni Golf
Outing Scholarship. She attended the dinner to meet the people who
have helped make her education so affordable.
“If it wasn’t for this scholarship, I don’t know how I’d be able to
pay for school,” Howard explained. “I can’t thank these alumni
enough, and you can really sense their camaraderie and school
spirit. As the saying goes, ‘We Are St. John’s,’ and you definitely
see that in our alumni.”
Guests were thrilled with the success of this year’s outing. 
Scott Watson ’81L, a member of the Alumni Golf Outing
Committee and a father himself, knows how difficult it can be to
pay for college tuition and was glad that his support helped
students like Howard.
“My wife and I are very fortunate to be able to afford the cost of
college,” he said, “but it’s certainly a struggle for us. To be a
part of this fundraising process – to put real dollars into the
hands of real students who could really use it – is the best
feeling. That’s what the outing is all about, and this year’s
success is great news.”