October 28, 2009
Spirit of Service Awards Honor Carol and
Denis Kelleher, Frank Sciame at Waldorf = Astoria, October
29
St. John’s University will hold its 12th Annual President’s
Dinner on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel
in New York City. St. John’s President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M. will host what has become the University’s premier
fundraising event.
Despite the troubled economy, the 12th Annual President’s Dinner
is the most successful in St. John’s history, raising an
unprecedented $2,157,703. Funds raised from the President’s
Dinner are used as scholarship assistance to directly benefit the
University’s students enrolled at six locations – Queens,
Manhattan, Staten Island and Oakdale, New York, Rome, Italy and
Paris, France.
One of the highlights of the black tie event is the presentation
of the prestigious Spirit of Service Award to exceptional
individuals who have lived their lives in accordance with the
Vincentian philosophy of caring and concern for others, values that
have served as the foundation of the St. John’s mission for more
than 140 years. This year’s honorees include Carol A. and
Denis P. Kelleher ’65CBA, ‘91HON, Chief Executive Officer, Wall
Street Access and Frank J. Sciame Jr., Founder and CEO of F.J.
Sciame Construction Co., Inc.
The 12th Annual President’s Dinner will be particularly special,
as St. John’s will be recognizing Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.
on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his presidency at the
University. The past two decades have been years of
tremendous growth, excitement and success at St. John’s, and the
12th Annual President’s Dinner will offer guests an opportunity to
reflect upon the University’s unprecedented achievement while
looking ahead to a future filled with unlimited
potential.
Many former Spirit of Service Award honorees from previous
President’s Dinners will be in attendance to celebrate with Father
Harrington and the St. John’s community. WNBC-TV Sports
Anchor Bruce Beck will serve as Master of Ceremonies, adding a
decidedly New York touch to this exceptional evening.
Lesley H. (’83SVC) and William L. Collins ’76C, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Brencourt Advisors LLC, are the 2009
Dinner Co-Chairs, and Mary P. (’00HON) and Peter J. Tobin ’65CBA,
’96HON are the Honorary Chairs for the former Spirit of Service
Award honorees.
Former Spirit of Service Award honorees include Nina
Aversano (2000), Hon. Joseph W. Bellacosa (2002), Hon. Hugh L.
Carey (2000), Lou Carnesecca (2008), Mary Carnesecca (2008),
Richard Chapdelaine (2004), Richard DeZego (2005), Kathleen M.
Foley, M.D. (2006), Sr. Judy Garson, R.S.C.J. (2004), Jeffrey R.
Holzschuh (2006), Bernard D. Kennedy (2003), Raymond F. Kennedy,
Esq., deceased (2002), Joseph M. Mattone, Sr., Esq. (2004), George
T. McDonald (2008), Sr. Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. (2003), John F.
McGillicuddy (2000) (deceased), Paula McInerney (2005), Thomas E.
McInerney (2005), Edward D. Miller (1999), Arthur J. Mirante
II, Esq. (2007), Elizabeth Mirante (2007), Frederic V. Salerno
(2002), Linda S. Sanford (2003), James J. Schiro (2002), Joseph H.
Schwartz (2008), Maria C. Schwartz (2008), Brian T. Shea (2007),
Patricia M. Shea (2007), Donald L. Taffner (2007), Eleanor B.
Taffner (2007), Mary P. Tobin (2005), Peter J. Tobin (1998),
Charles R. Walsh (1999), Jayson Williams (1999) and Salvatore J.
Zizza (2006).
For additional information regarding the 12th Annual St. John’s
University President’s Dinner contact Jeanne M. Umland ’79C, ’82G,
’93PD, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at
(718) 990-6776 or via e-mail at umlandj@stjohns.edu.
For media inquiries contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice
President of Media Relations, at (718) 990-6185 or via e-mail at sciannad@stjohns.edu.