February 11, 2008
Members of the Loughlin Society and McCallen Society were
treated to a special evening at the Romance of Italian Food and
Wine event held on February 7, 2008 at Trattoria L’Incontro.
Photo Gallery
The wine bar at the restaurant, which is located in Astoria,
Queens, served as the perfect setting for the event which began
with Rev. Kevin Creagh, C.M. ’91SVC, ’04PD, assistant vice
president, branch campuses and assistant to the vice president for
Institutional Advancement offering a prayer and an update on the
many happenings at St. John’s. Fr. Creagh spoke of several exciting
initiatives at the University including Discover the World which
allows students to travel, study and complete service opportunities
abroad. The evening included presentations from St. John’s faculty
Annalisa Sacca, Ph.D. and Heidi Sung, Ph.D., CHE who each spoke
briefly about food and wine. Sacca, director of the Italian Studies
Program Languages and Literature Department and for the Center of
Global Development, kept attendees entertained with interesting
trivia regarding the origins of some well known regional foods from
Italy as well as information about the history and culture of some
of the foods and wine. Sung, director of the Hospitality and
Tourism Management Division of Hotel, Restaurant, Sports, Travel
and Tourism in the College of Professional Studies gave some
remarks about various wines and offered those present a brief
glimpse into the wine appreciation course she teaches at the
University.
The menu included multiple tasting courses, each accompanied by
a wine chosen to complement the dish. Petrina DiGangi ’91MBA and
her sister Georgeann DiGangi ’88SVC are members of the Loughlin
Society and agreed that the evening was outstanding. “This is a
fabulous venue for St. John’s to be having an event at,” Petrina
said. “The food is excellent, the service is excellent, the décor
is wonderful and there were great lessons on wine and food.” Aldona
Gobuzas ’50NDC is a member of the McCallen Society and said the
relaxing time filled with good food, drink and pleasant
conversation was in keeping with the high quality of events offered
by the University. “St. John’s is a class act,” she said. “I
haven’t attended an event yet that I didn’t enjoy.”
Iris Streater ’08CPS is president of the Hospitality Management
Organization at St. John’s and said she welcomed being able to meet
members of the giving societies who make it possible for students
like her to attend St. John’s. “It’s a really beautiful place and
it’s a good opportunity for people to mingle,” she said.
The evening was held in appreciation of the commitment and
generosity of members of the McCallen and Loughlin Societies. The
McCallen Society is comprised of esteemed donors who have
remembered the University in their estate plans. The Loughlin
Society recognizes those who have made leadership gifts of $1000 or
more within a fiscal year. Romance of Italian Food and Wine is one
of many events offered by St. John’s
University.