June 21, 2012
For anything to last for a quarter-century, it has to be doing
something right. And as anyone who’s ever been involved with the
Father Dorr Golf Classic surely knows, this event, and the beloved
Vincentian who has been its driving force for the past 25 years,
are both inspiring reflections of a lasting commitment to respond
to the needs of others.
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It began in 1988 as the Newman Golf Classic and was re-named to
honor Rev. James F. Dorr, C.M. ’79GEd in 2008. It had previously
raised more than $3.1 million to support scholarships for St.
John's students, and this year's event added over $125,000 to that
amount.
Scholarships have always been a primary focus at St.
John’s, and while the nearly 150 alumni and friends who came to the
Garden City Country Club to enjoy a day of golf and an evening
cocktail reception and dinner at one of the area’s most beautiful
locations, the realization that they were making a difference for
students was never far from their minds.
“This is one of St. John’s many great events,” noted Joseph C.
O’Connor ’82CBA, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and
Co-Chairman of the 2012 Golf Committee. “It’s emblematic of what
the Vincentian community represents. We need events like this to
bridge what sits between everything that St. Vincent de Paul
believed in and everything that St. John’s is trying to do for each
and every student.”
Anita Rogers ’55UC first became involved through the efforts of
her late husband Eugene (’54CBA), who served as one of the earliest
Chairmen. She enjoyed playing as part of her husband’s foursome,
and after he passed away she honored his commitment by putting
together her own group of golfers.
“This really is a Rogers family tradition,” she said. “My
husband always felt that his St. John’s education is what led to
his success, and I feel the same way. I went to the University
College on Schermerhorn Street and had four great years there. I
believe in Fr. Dorr and his scholarship, and for me, that’s the
bottom line. And now my son [Eugene C. Rogers, Jr. ’93MBA] is on
the committee and he takes his own foursome.”
A strong sense of affiliation with St. John’s and a commitment
to helping students succeed is a powerful combination, one that is
definitely responsible for the longevity of what was once the
University’s only annual golf outing. And yet, equally apparent
among all participants is a genuine sense of personal affection for
the man who conceptualized the initiative and brought it to life,
and who has been nurturing it ever since.
“This great event has lasted for the past 25 years, and
that’s because it’s about St. John’s and Fr. Dorr,”
said Joseph A. Tarantino ’80CBA. “ Fr. Dorr has been heavily
involved in this event since the beginning, and he’s amassed a lot
of loyal people who are really interested in supporting St. John’s
and are indebted to him for all that he’s done for the University
and for its alumni. Fr. Dorr gives back to so many people, and so
many people are grateful to him. He’s really about everybody except
himself. Most of us are here for two main reasons. We want to
support St. John’s and say thank you to Fr. Dorr.”
Although he never studied at St. John’s, Peter J. Striano ’98HON
strongly believes in the University’s unique commitment of reaching
out to others in ways that can make a difference for them for the
rest of their lives. He sees the embodiment of that commitment in
Fr. Dorr, whom he considers, “…a man for all seasons. He
establishes good will for all of his friends and reaches out to
anybody in need. He’s the finest priest I know, and I thank God
that he’s on this planet with us. “
It
was the ongoing connection to Fr. Dorr that led Robert Kalenka
’84CBA, ’91MBA to serve as Co-chairman for the second time in the
past four years. A member of the University’s Board of Governors,
Kalenka is willing to do whatever he can to help put St. John’s
Vincentian mission into action.
“Fr. Dorr is a very special person, not only to me but to all of
the people at St. John’s,” he said. “On the 25th Anniversary of
this event he asked me for my support, and I would never think of
saying no. I’ve been part of it for about 15 years now, and it’s
great to see all of the alumni together having some fun and
supporting St. John’s and Fr. Dorr. It’s like we’re all a big
family. We’re enjoying ourselves, and we all know that we’re doing
something for the University that we love so much. I’m already
looking forward to coming back next year.”
Why
does he do it? What makes this humble priest devote so much energy
and hard work, year after year, even though he is now into his
second year of retirement from St. John’s?
“People ask me why I’ve been doing this event for 25 years,” he
remarked, “and the answer is simple. I do it because of my love for
the poor. That’s what the spirit of St. Vincent is all about. The
people who have supported this event for so long are wonderful, and
I love every one of them. They’re so faithful every year! We’ve
always been committed to helping the students who need our support,
and none of that would be possible without the people who come out
every year to make it all happen. I’ve been truly blessed to know
and spend time with these very special people, and to know that
together we’re making a difference for our students is the greatest
satisfaction I could ever want.”