Joseph Sciame, VP for Community Relations Named a 2011 "King of Queens"

November 06, 2011

Enters 50th Year of Service, Lauded at “Champions Breakfast” Hosted by Queens Courier

St. John’s University’s own Joseph Sciame, Vice President for Community Relations, was anointed a “King” at yesterday’s Fourth Annual Kings of Queens Breakfast at Terrace on the Park. Sciame was one of 35 businessmen to accept the “King of Queens” honor before a crowd of more than 1,000 hosted by Publisher Victoria Schneps and the Queens Courier.

Sciame spoke about the two keys to success as he embarks on this his 50th year of service at the University.

“I think the things that have served me well in my career are both patience and listening, and you have to let people know you care,” said Sciame in a 30-second video presentation, allotted to each recipient. “I’ve had the patience to persevere and I’ve developed over the years the listening skills to give people the voice to be heard. That’s very important in today’s society and these two traits help me learn and be able to help people in my life and in my position at St. John’s.”

Sciame has been a part of St. John’s since 1958, initially as a student and, since 1962, (upon graduation from the university’s School of Education) as a full-time administrator. He has held high ranking positions on a local and national level most notably as Chair of the university’s Italian Heritage and Culture Center (2010), National President of the Order of the Sons of Italy (OSIA) from 2003-05 and New York State and Regional Associations of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) with the distinction as the first national chairman of the organization from 1987-88.

The “Kings of Queens” Champions Breakfast recognizing the most influential men in business featured “Man of the Year” John Liu, New York City Comptroller. The dais was also graced with the presence of “Woman of the Year” Matilda Cuomo (a graduate of St. John’s University’s School of Education – Teachers College), founder of Mentoring U.S.A. and wife of former Governor of the State of New York, Mario Cuomo.

The breakfast also began with a morning networking expo with top professionals from the Queens area’s leading businesses.

For more information contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling 718.990.6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.

In addition, late breaking news and information regarding St. John’s can be found by visiting the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.