May 04, 2012
It has often been said that professional success is dependent upon
a number of factors, two of the most important being a combination
of what you know and whom you know.
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Graduates of St. John’s The Peter J. Tobin College of Business are
fortunate, because the University has effectively addressed both of
these issues. After enjoying a superior Business education as
students, once they become alumni they can take advantage of
valuable networking opportunities sponsored by the Tobin College of
Business Alumni Association (TCBAA).
“Networking is very important for success in
business,” acknowledged
Joylyn
Gimarino ’10MBA, an attendee at the recent TCBAA Networking
Reception and Annual Meeting on the Queens campus. “I’ve gotten
interviews simply because I’m a St. John’s graduate. There are so
many people out there from St. John’s who are very generous with
their time. They put a lot of effort into helping their fellow
graduates get into the business field.”
A tradition of this annual networking event is the selection of a
number of alumni and faculty members who are recognized for their
exceptional personal and professional contributions to the students
and graduates of the Tobin College of Business. This year’s
honorees included:
Lee Bogner ’84MBA
Jim Ehret Award, TCBAA Board Member of the Year
Thomas A. Lupo ’70Ed, ’75MBA
Alumni Appreciation Award
Owen Ruhnke ’89CBA
Alumni Appreciation Award
Charles Wankel, Ph.D.
Faculty Award
“Tonight’s honorees are all outstanding members of
the St. John’s community,” noted TCBAA President Mark Ventimiglia
’81CBA, ’83MBA. “Dr Wankel is a great professor who has always gone
out of his way for our Business students and alumni. Lee Bogner,
Tom Lupo and Owen Ruhnke are among our most active alumni, and each
has shared his experiences with students as part of the Alumni
Insider’s View…Program (AIV). From all indications, AIV is working
very well. Anytime someone who has experience and knowledge can
help students, it’s a good idea. It’s a touch point that keeps
students engaged and allows alumni to give back. As alumni, we feel
good by doing good.”
A double alumnus, Lupo has always been proud of his affiliation
with the University. As an executive at Standard & Poor’s, he
was instrumental in ensuring that the St. John’s students who
visited the firm as part of the Alumni Insider’s View…Day on Wall
Street enjoyed a meaningful look at what happens behind the scenes
at the world’s foremost provider of independent credit
ratings.
“I’ve always tried to help St. John’s whenever I
could,” he noted. “I had the good fortune to be able to run some
programs at Standard & Poor’s that benefitted the University,
and it was a real pleasure for me to do so. The students that we
made our presentations to were really incredible. I couldn’t be
prouder to be an alumnus! Tonight’s award is very special to me,
because it’s always nice when someone says ‘Thank You’ for your
efforts.”
For Wankel, a Professor of Management, being selected for the
Faculty Award was a testament to his interactions with the many
students and alumni whose lives he’s touched, and who have touched
his, over the years. “I’m really very humbled to have been
selected for this award,” he said. “I feel that I’m a friend to
students and former students and I’m happy that they view the
relationship that way, too. I’ve been here at St. John’s for more
than 20 years and I consider it to be my home.”
A special feature of this annual gathering is the presentation of
the Jim Ehret Board Member of the Year Award, named in memory of
Jim Ehret ’82CBA. This annual award honors a member of the TCBAA
Executive Board who has made outstanding contributions to St.
John’s while embracing the University’s Vincentian values
throughout his or her life.
Receiving an award specifically established to perpetuate the
memory of a devoted alumnus was a special source of pride for this
year’s recipient.
“I didn’t know Jim Ehret, but I’ve heard so many good things about
him, and I really wish I could have met him,” remarked Bogner.
“This award means so much to me. It’s the ultimate flattery to be
acknowledged by my peers on the TCBAA Board. It’s a terrific Board
that gives back to the University, and to be recognized is just
terrific! My heart and mind are always back at St. John’s.”