October 05, 2009
5-Story Structure to House Classrooms, Banquet Facilities and Luxury Space for Student-Centered Initiatives
Architecturally attractive, striking and intimate are the adjectives to describe the new 5-story, 127,000 square foot D’Angelo Center that was unveiled yesterday at St. John’s University’s Queens campus. The building was officially dedicated and named after Peter and Peg D’Angelo and their family, who both serve as esteemed alumni and longstanding benefactors of St. John’s University.
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The estimated $77 million brick-and-stone structure will feature state-of-the art technology, including the latest version of the technology podium, 14 classrooms, 6 seminar rooms, student recreation and entertainment space, a café and full-service cafeteria, and student organization offices. In addition, the building is being constructed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and includes many energy-saving mechanical/electrical systems, and will house a new Board Room, spacious lobby/living room and banquet facilities.
“The D’Angelo Center will serve as the centerpiece of the University’s teaching and learning environment, enhancing opportunities for student engagement and enriching both curricular and co-curricular activities,” said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University. “I know that I speak for our University in expressing gratitude to Peter and Peg for their generosity and for their commitment to the future of St. John’s.”
St. John’s commissioned artist Joseph Jaroff to create a symbolic torch sculpture to crown the top of the new D’Angelo Center, enhancing both the academic and social life of the campus.
The iconic flame, which connects metaphorically to both the eternal light of knowledge and Christian theology, honors the University as a beacon of higher learning and its historically Catholic roots. Designed to glint in the sunlight, the twelve and a half foot high sculpture will be gilded with over one hundred square feet of gold-leafing, and rise out of a hammered bronze base similar to a classic Olympic-style caldron. The flame will rest inside a 144-foot tower that marks the highest point on the St. John’s University Queens campus.
Complementing the existing campus buildings, the D’Angelo Center has been designed to enhance both the living and the learning experiences at St. John’s.
The realization hit home with Peter D’Angelo as he sat and listened to speeches during the dedication ceremony contemplating the enormity of the event and how this day would hold a special place in St. John’s history.
”When Fr. Harrington made the comment that our family name will be associated with St. John’s forever, I think that is when the permanence of this building hit me,” said Mr. D’Angelo. “It is quite an honor and we are proud of the association.”
Complementing the existing campus buildings, the D’Angelo Center has been designed to enhance both the living and the learning experiences at St. John’s. Its academic tower will serve as the highest point of any current building structure located on the Queens campus.
"This new state-of-the-art structure will provide our students – residential and commuter – with both an enhanced learning environment and an enriched student life,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at St. John’s University. “In erecting the new D’Angelo Center, we’ve transformed the Queens campus into a vibrant and active residential and commuter university, where students from across the country and around our world join New Yorkers in developing both life-long skills and life-long friendships.”
Located between Sullivan Hall and Taffner Field House, the D’Angelo Center will complete the fourth side of a second, smaller University Quadrangle (the buildings around The Great Lawn form the first), which will be bordered on the other three sides by Marillac, St. Augustine and St. Albert Halls. The resultant “quad” will be fully landscaped to further enhance the University’s Sustainability initiative.
“Peg and I truly believe in the St. John’s mission. That is why we are happy to support this university as they help students achieve their goals,” said Mr. D’Angelo. “This building will be a teaching tool just like books or computers. It is state-of-the-art and will provide the setting in which professor’s will give their students the education that they are seeking.”
Peter and Peg D’Angelo are proud St. John’s alumni who have continued to support alma mater long after graduation. Peter received his M.B.A. from the College of Business Administration, and Peg is a graduate of The School of Education. Peter serves as President of Caxton Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge fund operators. Currently the firm manages over $9 billion in assets. Together Peg and Peter are extraordinarily generous benefactors of our University. Providing the organ for St. Thomas More Church and endowing the D’Angelo Chair in the Humanities are just two examples of the many ways in which they have helped to make St. John’s stronger and better. Recently Peter and Peg made another very substantial gift, evidence of their enduring commitment to our mission and our ongoing efforts to enhance the collegiate experience of our students.
In addition, Peter serves on the University’s Board of Trustees, chairs its Fiscal Resource Management Committee, and serves on the Executive, Nominating, Facilities, and Investment Committees. St. John’s conferred an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree on him in 2006. Peg served as Chair of the Centennial Leadership Committee for The School of Education’s 100th Anniversary and this year received the President’s Medal. Peter and Peg together were actively involved in the University’s recently completed capital campaign, serving on both the National and Executive Campaign Committees.
“The D’Angelo Center represents the newest phase in our unwavering efforts to provide students and faculty with the finest of educational facilities,” said Robert Wile, Vice President, Chief of Staff and Chief Advancement Officer at St. John’s University.
Media representatives interested in obtaining information regarding the D’Angelo Center can contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mailing inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.
For late breaking news and up-to-date information visit the St. John’s web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.