Produced by: Office of Communications, Institutional Advancement
August 19, 2013
A few morning showers couldn’t dampen the fun at the 34th Annual Staten Island Golf Outing, held at the Richmond County Country Club. Skies quickly cleared for a beautiful day on the links, as alumni and friends enjoyed a round of 18 while supporting student scholarships.
“I’ve been a member of the Staten Island Golf Outing Committee for well over 20 years,” said Joe Caldarera ’78NDC, who currently serves as Committee Chairperson. “Working on this event, year in and year out, reminds me what a special community we have here at St. John’s, and I’m always proud to see so many classmates and friends come back to support a great cause.”
A handful of alumni were recognized at the event for their outstanding contributions to St. John’s and the Staten Island community. Honorees included:
Joseph Borrino ’90CBA, ’97MBA
Chief Financial Officer, Roc Nation
Hon. Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. ’78NDC
Richmond County District Attorney
Daniel D. Rubino, Esq. ’79NDC, ’82L
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GCA Capital Group
In addition to their professional success, each of the honorees shared a strong affection for the Staten Island campus and, more specifically, the friendships they forged there.
“It’s touching, really, to come back and receive this honor,” said Borrino, whose work at Roc Nation puts him in constant contact with Jay Z and other famous entertainment superstars. “It doesn’t feel like it should be me being honored, since I’m just a regular guy. But that’s how our Staten Island community has always been – down-to-earth people and a warm community. It’s great to be a part of that.”
Donovan, meanwhile, has based his entire career around serving the New York City community, working in governmental roles such as Assistant Manhattan District Attorney, Chief of Staff to the Staten Island Borough President and, now, as Richmond Country District Attorney. A lifelong Staten Islander, Donovan commented on the special role St. John’s continues to play in the community.
“Some of the folks I saw on the golf course today I hadn’t seen in 35 years,” he explained. “But even after all that time, they still come back to support the institution here on Staten Island. You know, the saddest day at St. John’s was when we graduated, because that’s when our time there ended. But tonight shows that it’s not really over – our connection is still going strong, and it’s truly an honor for me to be recognized tonight with my friends and former classmates.”
Rubino, the third honoree, serves as a testament to how well-rounded a St. John’s education is. A member of Student Government, Inc. during his undergraduate days, Rubino has since found success in a variety of different industries and charitable endeavors.
“I always knew I wanted a career in Law, but I wanted to use it as a platform to do other things,” said Rubino, who formerly worked for Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP, and later turned his attention to the world of Business at GCA Capital Group. Additionally, he has served as Chairman of the Cabrini Mission Foundation, a partnership of religious and lay supporters committed to serving at the forefront of social action.
“I honestly could not have had the career I’ve had without the foundation I received at St. John’s,” he explained. “And the students at St. John’s are not spoon-fed – we come from blue-collar families, worked our way through college. That’s my background and it’s everyone’s background here, which I think only adds to the close-knit, community feeling we’ve always enjoyed on the Staten Island campus.”
From the golfing to the dinner reception, guests enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce and support student scholarships. And, as Thomas Joyce ’73CBA, ’77MBA noted, the event is a firm reminder of how well the Staten Island campus prepares its alumni for life after graduation.
“Back when we were students, we were like one big happy family,” Joyce said. “And, in many ways, we’re still like that. It is especially nice to come together like this, play a little golf, and celebrate some of our graduates. To top it all off, we ended up having such wonderful weather, so today proved to be a really fantastic event.”