Produced by: the Office of Institutional Advancement
December 11, 2013
St. John’s University was founded on the premise that education leads to opportunity and, ultimately, to success. With the addition of the faith-based foundation of Catholic education, the final experience becomes even more valuable for both students and society.
The 1,153 guests who attended the 15th Annual St. John’s University President’s Dinner, held as always in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Waldorf~Astoria, helped to raise $2.9 million to support scholarships for St. John’s students and strengthen Catholic education throughout the greater New York metropolitan area.
The President’s Dinner is highlighted by the presentation of the University’s Spirit of Service Award, established in 1998 to recognize exceptional persons whose vision, accomplishments and good works personify the compassion and zeal for service of St. Vincent de Paul. Those honored included Robert B. Catell, Chairman, Futures in Education, Diocese of Brooklyn and Chairman, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School; Christie B. de Nicola and Anthony J. de Nicola, Co-President, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe; and Lewis S. Ranieri ’86C, ’87HON, Chairman, Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, Diocese of Rockville Centre and Chairman and President, Ranieri and Co., Inc.
“Tonight, we celebrate not only Catholic and Vincentian education at St. John’s, but also the Catholic school system,” said St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., “and we celebrate honorees who continue to give of themselves to strengthen Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Tonight’s dinner will enable us to move forward in shaping an ever stronger St. John’s University, and it is our hope that it will also assist Catholic education on all levels.”
As he has since 2005, William L. Collins ’76C served as Co-Chairperson of the University’s premier fundraising event, along with his wife, Leslie H. Collins ’83SVC. He thanked those in attendance for their generous support and acknowledged the outstanding commitment of the 2012 Spirit of Service Award honorees.
“It’s all too easy to look the other way and pretend that we don’t see the needs around us,” noted Collins, “but each of you has done just the opposite. You’ve done whatever you could to make a difference for others, and in their name and on their behalf, I am privileged to offer a profound thank you for bringing the mission of St. John’s University and the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul to those who need it most.”
In recent years a number of economic and social factors have combined to jeopardize the viability of our Catholic schools. Robert Catell is aware of how these factors have already impacted the Catholic school system in the Diocese of Brooklyn, where he was born and raised.
“The biggest challenge facing Catholic education today is financial,” he noted, “ but I think we can turn things around, as long as we recognize that the need is there and that it’s up to us to address it. This night is about raising money so that those young people who deserve to get a good education will be able to do so.”
For the past 25 years, Christie and Tony de Nicola have enthusiastically shared their time and talents to support a broad range of Catholic social action initiatives. While their commitment to making a difference for others has occasionally taken them down different paths on their respective journeys of service, a mutual commitment to fostering the continued availability of Catholic education has always been their primary focus.
“Christie and I support Catholic education because of the Catholic identity component of it,” said Tony, “and because these schools help our students achieve their God-given potential. In short, Catholic schools work, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
“Catholic education is about much more than what happens in the classroom,” agreed Christie. “The main component is that the education is both disciplined and faith-based, and that’s a wonderful addition to a standard curriculum. Students simply don’t get that in public schools.”
Lewis Ranieri’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Catholic schools is both personal and professional. He experienced the special nature of a Catholic education as a student, and readily acknowledges that the combination of excellent academics, strong moral values and personal integrity taught within the schools he attended had a profound and lasting impact on him.
“I’m a product of Catholic education,” he said, “and I see my support as an investment in the future, one that pays dividends immediately. Having had to go through many points in my life where I had to make moral choices, I thank my Catholic education very much for that. It’s not only the discipline that makes Catholic education different. It’s the moral training that carries you through the crises and decisions you make for the rest of your life.”
Alumni have always embraced the opportunity to participate in the success of the President’s Dinner. They see their support as a way to partner with St. John’s in its commitment to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students.
Sean Ramlal ’06TCB appreciates everything that St. John’s did for him when he was a student. “My scholarship made a big difference for me and my family,” he said, “and I wouldn’t have had my first job if not for St. John’s. I’m actually a member of the President’s Dinner Committee, and coming here every year is my way of giving something back and showing how much St. John’s will always mean to me.”
Ultimately, it is the students who directly benefit from the generosity of St. John’s alumni and friends. Not surprisingly, they are aware of and grateful for the support.
“If it weren’t for St. John’s generous donors, I wouldn’t be here at the University,” said senior Ana Morales, a member of The President’s Society. “I grew up in Mexico, and having the opportunity to come to the United States and study at such a prestigious university makes me really appreciate what St. John’s donors did for me. I would love to shake every donor’s hand and thank them personally for their support.”