October 02, 2007
On Sunday, September 30 McCallen Society members gathered on the
Queens campus for the annual McCallen Society Recognition Luncheon,
a traditional and much-enjoyed event designed to acknowledge those
special friends who have included St. John’s University in their
estate plans.
Photo
Gallery
The day began with a concelebrated Mass in St. Thomas More
Church. Joined on the altar by St. John’s University
President Rev.
Donald J. Harrington, C.M., Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M. and
Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., principal celebrant and homilist Rev.
Kevin G. Creagh, C.M. ’91SVC, ’04PD challenged the congregation to
look beyond the riches of the world and reach out to help the
downtrodden.
“Go beyond the self, and hear the cries of the poor and those in
need”, urged Father Creagh, noting that “…the great challenge for
us is to focus our energies on the needs of others as we break down
the walls that keep them at a distance from us.”
After Mass the McCallen Society members enjoyed a delicious
brunch at the newly opened Faculty Dining Room in Sun Yat Sen Hall,
where Father Harrington expressed his appreciation for the
exceptional generosity that they continue to show to St.
John’s. Father Harrington discussed the many successes that
the University has achieved during the past year, including record
numbers of applications for admission into the 2007 freshman class,
significant new construction projects on the Queens campus,
facilities upgrades on the Manhattan campus and expansion of global
learning initiatives currently being planned for both Rome and
Paris.
“St. John’s University continues to be truly blessed in so many
ways”, said Father Harrington. “These wonderful things have
been made possible because of the support of so many people,
including those of you here today. You trust in us, you
invest in us, and for that I thank you.”
McCallen Society members were vocal in their support for the
mission and ideals of the University they love.
“I have established a scholarship for graduate students in The
School of Education who are working towards a master’s degree in
School Counseling”, said Dr. Shirley A. Griggs, a former St. John’s
faculty member. “I will continue to fund that scholarship
while I am living and have made plans to remember St. John’s in my
will so that I can help to keep this wonderful legacy alive.”
Similar sentiments were voiced by Dr. Margaret Bott ’52UC, who
also has a uniquely personal reason for her McCallen Society
membership. “I had the privilege of knowing Father McCallen,
who helped to send me to St. John’s with a non-competitive tuition
scholarship”, remarked Dr. Bott. “Father McCallen
picked a winner when he picked me, and I want to make sure that I
do the same for others.”
Frank Pannizzo ’59UC, ’62L noted that he made a commitment to
the McCallen Society “…because of the great opportunity that I had
at St. John’s. I was a kid from Brooklyn, my parents were
immigrants from Sicily and St. John’s opened its arms and made
higher education available to me. I had a great liberal
education, and my wife and I want to perpetuate that opportunity
and make sure that St. John’s will be able to continue all these
great and wonderful advantages for future generations.”
The McCallen Society is the distinguished gift society whose
members honor the St. John’s legacy by including the University in
their estate and financial plans.