Glen Shane '63CBA spent a lifetime putting his Vincentian values
into action as a social worker with the City of New York.
Recently retired, he is an active member of The McCallen Society
and an enthusiastic supporter of alma mater.
Tell us a little about your background as it relates to
St. John’s University.
I received a full four-year scholarship for track. I was
really fortunate to get a scholarship, because I came from a family
of 13 children and my parents could not have afforded to send me to
college otherwise.
What was it like at St. John’s?
It was a wonderful experience. I was the first in my family
to attend college and it was a tremendous experience for
me. That’s why I feel that now I have to give something back
through The McCallen Society. I’ve been a social worker for
40 years and would never have been able to do that without the help
of my scholarship to St. John’s.
So you’re really perpetuating your legacy by doing for
others what was done for you.
Exactly. I think it’s a wonderful legacy to be able to give
back to the school that gave so much to me. That’s so
important! I recently came back to campus and was amazed at
how much it has changed since I was a student. It’s a
wonderful learning environment, and I realized that I had to give
something back. There are so many kids that come from
families that are struggling, and I know what that’s all
about. I was there myself at one time.
What type of gift are you giving?
Well, I have a deferred compensation plan with the City of New York
and I’ve made St. John’s the primary beneficiary of that
plan. I’ve also made the University the primary beneficiary
of my 401K plan.
What would you say to people who might be considering
making a planned gift to St. John’s?
I’ve actually talked to some of my friends and former
student-athletes and told them how important it is to do something
like this. I reminded them how our families struggled when we
were going to school and that it’s really no different today.
I’ve gotten a few of them interested in The McCallen Society and
I’m pretty sure they’re ready to help out. I’m working on
getting my classmates out to St. John’s to see what a wonderful
place it is. They need to see what a great job the University
is doing for young people who were just like us back in the
day.