May 03, 2010
Alumni and friends gathered on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at
The Inn at New Hyde Park on Long Island for The Peter J.
Tobin College of Business Alumni Association Networking Reception,
a popular annual event that traditionally honors some of St. John's
most exceptional Business professors.
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This year's honorees included:
A. Noel Doherty, Ph.D.
Chairperson and Professor of Marketing
Andrew Russakoff, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Information and Decision
Sciences
James Thompson, Ed.D.
Chairperson and Professor of Accounting and Taxation
Mark A. Ventimiglia '81CBA, '83MBA President, TCBAA noted that
"It's great to honor three of our most outstanding professors who
are not only exceptional educators but genuinely loyal to St.
John's. The alumni always enjoy themselves at this annual event,
and with everyone taking advantage of the opportunity to network
and catch up with each other, this is a great night in every
way."
"May we leave this evening more aware of what we all owe God, our
Savior," intoned Rev. James F. Dorr, C.M. '79GEd Chaplain,
the Tobin College of Business, who delivered the Invocation. Steven
D. Papamarcos, Ph.D., Dean of The Tobin College of Business
highlighted the many achievements of the College during the past
academic year and shared some of the exciting initiatives planned
for the months ahead.
As
the honorees accepted their awards, each acknowledged a special
attachment to the University that means so much to them personally
and professionally.
"I was surprised and very pleased to learn that I was being honored
in this way," said Doherty. "I'm in my 44th year here and St.
John's means a lot to me. That's what makes receiving this award so
special."
For Russakoff, reflecting on his interactions with the many
students whose lives he's touched, and who have touched his over
the years added to the genuine warmth of the evening. "I'm very
happy to receive this award," he said "because tonight is a time
when I can say to the students that I've learned a lot from them as
well. Teaching at St. John's has been wonderful, because it's been
a learning experience for me every single year. The University has
been very good to me over the years, and whatever I can do to help
the students and our graduates, I'm happy to do it."
"This award is special because it reflects the feelings of my
students that I've done a good job over the years," agreed
Thompson. "I remember many of them, and a few are here to share
this moment with me tonight. Making a difference for students has
always been important to me, which is why I'm genuinely honored to
be receiving this award."
A unique feature of the event was the second annual 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 Tobin
College of Business Alumni Association who has made outstanding
contributions to St. John's while embracing the University's
Vincentian values throughout his or her life. The award was
presented to Catherine Camera '65CBA for her outstanding
dedication as Past President of the Association. "I'm so thrilled
to have been selected to receive this award," she said. "My passion
has always been St. John's University, and anything that I can do
to help the [Tobin College of Business] Alumni Association is
wonderful."
Alumni and friends were quick to express their
appreciation for the chance to participate in an event that offered
them an opportunity for personal and professional networking while
acknowledging the University's commitment to academic
excellence..
"This annual event is so wonderful," said Petrina DiGangi '91MBA.
"It's a great chance for people to network, and tonight we're
honoring one of my very favorite professors, Dr. Thompson, who I
adored when I was a student. We're also honoring our Past President
Catherine Camera, who has been more than just a president to us.
She's been a mentor and a good friend, and that's what St. John's
is all about."
For Michael Rizzo '06TCB, Vice President, TCBAA, the reception was
"…the culmination of a great year. It brings the alumni together
and we get a chance to enjoy each other's company and reflect on
the past year. Networking is so important in the business world
today, and events like this are a valuable opportunity for alumni
to help each other is so many ways."