June 18, 2007
Outdoor Ceremony on June 16 Attended by
Family, Friends and Colleagues
St. John’s University dedicated the Dr. Andrew J. Bartilucci
Center (the Education Center formerly owned by Saint Vincent
Catholic Medical Centers) in honor of its namesake, Dean Emeritus
of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, on
Saturday, June 16 in Fresh Meadows. The outdoor event at the steps
of the 40,000 square foot facility (located at 175-05 Horace
Harding Expressway) was attended by Dr. Bartilucci, his immediate
family, close friends and professional colleagues.
Photo
Gallery
Julia A. Upton, RSM, Ph.D.,
Provost of St. John’s University gave the welcome to begin the
ceremony then turned the microphone over to Robert A. Mangione,
R.Ph., Ed.D., current Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Allied
Health Professions – and more importantly a student of Dr.
Bartilucci’s – who candidly spoke of his personal reflections about
his mentor and dear friend.
“I have decided to frame my comments within the context of the
St. John’s University core values. As we all knows its core values
are truth, love, respect, opportunity, excellence and service. And,
as we also know, these core values are exemplified by Dr. Andrew J.
Bartilucci,” stated Mangione. “Dean Bartilucci, please be assured
that the St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied
Health Professions will always be your college and that we will
continue to do all that we can to make you proud.”
Dr. Bartilucci, touched by the festivities, was rendered
speechless during his heartfelt remarks.
“I stand before you finding it hard to believe what is
happening,” said Dr. Bartilucci at Saturday’s ceremony. “I am so
grateful to God for the satisfying direction my professional life
has taken, it being memorialized in this stone and brick edifice.
Who would have thought when I was asked to join St. John’s
University that it would culminate in this. God bless and thank you
all for sharing in this special day with me.”
Rev. Donald
J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University
concluded the ceremony with brief remarks and officially dedicated
and blessed the facility with the help of Rev. Joseph V. Daly,
Assistant to the President at St. John’s.
“Andy very quickly became my first appointment when I became
president (in 1989) and one of the first things I did was ask him
to be Dean of St. John’s College. He agreed but told me he was
going to retire and his only regret was that he didn’t have at
least 10 years to spend working with me to see what we could do
here at St. John’s. It’s now been 18 years,” Rev. Harrington, C.M.
said jokingly. “I can honestly say that there has been no major
decision in these past 18 years that Andy has not been a part of.
Without Andy’s support and wisdom there is no way that I would
still be president today, much less have had the success we’ve been
able to have as an administration.”
Dr. Bartilucci’s career at St. John’s began as a student in
1940. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War
II. Dr. Bartilucci returned to receive his master’s degree from
Rutgers University and his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.
St. John’s came calling shortly thereafter and he has never left
having touched the University in many different capacities, most
notably as dean, executive vice president to the University and
special assistant to the president for several years. His tenure as
a faculty member and dean spanned more than 34 years. In his
profession, Dr. Bartilucci has also been a member of the New York
State Board of Pharmacy, the American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy and a variety of other organizations.
The Andrew J. Bartilucci Center will offer degree programs that
include: a B.S. four-year Physician’s Assistant degree (first two
years at St. John’s Queens campus, and two years at the Bartilucci
Center and affiliated hospitals and clinics); a B.S. four-year
Medical Technology degree (first three-years at St. John’s Queens
campus, fourth year at the Bartilucci Center and affiliated
hospitals) and a B.S. four-year Pathologist Assistant degree
program (first three-years at St. John’s Queens campus, the final
year at affiliated hospitals). Independent students who were
enrolled at Saint Vincent’s and students enrolled from other
colleges will continue their studies at the Bartilucci Center. The
Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers Nursing School is not
included with the St. John’s acquisition. St. John’s University acquired
the facility earlier this year on March 2, 2007.
For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Director of Media
Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185
ore-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
information about the St. John’s College of Pharmacy or the new Dr.
Andrew J. Bartilucci Center contact Robert A. Mangione, Dean of the
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions at (718) 990-6411
or e-mail requests to mangionr@stjohns.edu.