May 08, 2012
On April 23, 2012, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business held
its 44th Annual Beta Gamma Sigma induction ceremony at Russo’s on
the Bay in Howard Beach, NY.
This year’s event was one of the largest in recent years, with 108
students inducted as members of the St. John’s University Chapter
and over 240 students, alumni, faculty, and staff in
attendance.
It was a truly memorable night as two of the honorees, John R.
Bender, chapter honoree and keynote speaker, and Dr. Craig Latshaw,
Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year, explained to the audience
how they exemplify the St. John’s Vincentian mission in their fight
against children’s cancer.
John R. Bender graduated from St. John’s University’s Tobin College
of Business with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He is
currently the president and chief operating officer of Allied World
Reinsurance Company (AWRC). In addition to his work at AWRC,
John spends much of his time working with the St. Baldrick’s
Foundation to find a cure for childhood cancer. He is one of
the founders, and currently serves as chairman of the board.
Through the foundation’s efforts, more than 200,000 people across
50 states and 28 countries have shaved their heads in solidarity
with children fighting cancer. As a result, his foundation
has raised over $120 million to fund cutting-edge research, in the
hopes that one day all children will live happy, cancer-free
lives.
Dr. Craig Latshaw is an associate professor in the Department of
Accounting and Taxation and a strong believer in the importance of
service. He has supervised and been a chief tutor at the
Staten Island’s accounting lab for many years, donating countless
hours to grateful students. As an active participant in the
Staten Island’s campus activities, he has recently extended his
giving spirit by becoming a chair for the Dribble for the Cure
Foundation, leading the Foundation’s efforts to raise money for
pediatric cancer research, an issue that is personally close to his
heart given his own son’s successful Cancer fight.
In addition to these honorees, Beta Gamma Sigma also recognized
Associate Dean Benjamin Silliman as the faculty honoree for his
activities within the business school and university, having shown
a dedication to the values of Beta Gamma Sigma. Additionally,
undergraduate Kathryn “Kay” Mordeno and graduate student Sanya
Makhani both were honored with the BGS bronze medallion. The bronze
medallion is awarded to a graduating senior and graduating MBA
candidate who has exhibited outstanding character, exceptional
scholastic abilities, a record of participation in collegiate
activities, and has shown that he/she possesses the promise of
future leadership and responsibility in civic affairs.
Reflecting on the night, alumnus John Princiotta remarked “I was
extremely impressed by the intelligence and poise of the students
we spoke with over the course of the night. The night’s event
reinforced the great pride we have in being St. John’s and Beta
Gamma Sigma alumni.” Likewise, graduate student Michael Furino
stated after the event, “The speakers were inspirational and I
could not think of a better way to conclude my education at St.
John's.”
Beta Gamma Sigma is an exclusive program open only to graduate
students who are in the top 20 percent of their class, or
undergraduate students who are in the top 10 percent of their
class. Students must be enrolled in a degree program that is
professionally accredited by AACSB International, such as the Peter
J. Tobin College of Business.
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About The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business has provided a high-quality
business education for over eighty years, offering individuals from
throughout the world the opportunity to study in New York’s dynamic
business environment. The innovative curriculum emphasizes an
analytic and hands-on understanding of business practice that
prepares graduates to excel in today’s global marketplace.
For more information about this or other programs at The Peter J.
Tobin College of Business, please contact Asia Hauter at (718)
990-6218 or hautera@stjohns.edu.