November 30, 2007
The Museum Club in downtown New York City provided a
breathtaking backdrop for the 17th annual Loughlin Society
Reception held on November 29. The event honors St. John’s
leadership gift society and University Provost Julia A. Upton, RSM,
Ph.D., ’73G, ’75G welcomed those present while thanking them
for their overwhelming generosity. “This is most certainly an
evening of appreciation, because it really allows us to express the
gratitude of the entire St. John’s community for what you, our
donors, continue to do for the University in so many ways,” she
said. “Your exceptional generosity directly impacts every aspect of
what we do at St. John’s every single day, and you may be proud of
the fact that you are influencing the lives of each of our more
than 20,000 students, for today and for years to come.”
Photo
Gallery
Loughlin Society Co-chairpersons
Joseph (’82CBA) and Antoinette O’Connor ’82CBA announced that the
past year had been the most successful in the history of the
Loughlin Society with membership increasing to an all time high
1,724 who contributed more than $7.4 million to the University.
That amount represents 44 percent of the total philanthropic
revenue raised in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, they said. Mr.
O’Connor remarked that members of the Loughlin Society should be
proud. “Thank you for a great year,” he told the crowd. “Always
remember that you are a vital part of our exceptional University,
and that the legacy of your kindness has already impacted our world
in ways that will be felt for years to come.”
Students Travis Feldler ’08C from the Queens campus and Audree
Maldonado ’09CPS from the Staten Island campus spoke of their time
spent as participants in the University’s Discover The
World program. Traveling to other countries to study was a
pivotal point for them as they reinforced not only their education,
but also the Vincentian values learned at St. John’s. “Superior to
the cultural experience was the heart and soul of our program and
that was the community service component that put us in touch with
poverty on an international level,” Feldler said. “Discover The
World offers several opportunities for service to the poor,”
Maldonado continued. “From my own personal experience, I was in a
soup kitchen in Italy and I realized that serving the poor in Italy
was no different than handing out a bag of food to a homeless
person in New York City and it hit me that the poor are the poor.
It was the first time I felt connected to the world and everyone
around me.” The pair thanked the attendees on behalf of the student
body for their experiences made possible due in part to the
Loughlin Society members.
University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M. wrapped up the evening’s remarks and read a
letter from a recent graduate, Steven Lee ’07C, who wrote that St.
John’s had “lovingly accepted and opened their arms” to him. The
first in his family to graduate from college and attend graduate
school, Lee went on to praise the University for being a
“difference maker” in the lives of its graduates. The University
has grown and changed to meet the needs of its students while
maintaining its mission, Fr. Harrington said. “We’ve been able to
do it because of you,” he said. “It’s your generosity that has made
it possible.”
Brothers Christopher Emmel ’04C and David Emmel ’99C said they
attended because of the great esteem in which they hold St.
John’s. “It was a place where a lot of friendships were made
and an absolutely fantastic education was attained,” Christopher
said. “It’s nice to be able to give back to the University which
gave so much to us.” Their father William Emmel ’82CBA agreed. “I
have a lot of pride and passion as a graduate,” the elder Emmel
said. Clare Byrne ’76C, ’80MBA, ’06MLS said she enjoyed gathering
with other alumni and friends of St. John’s who also want to see it
flourish. “It is so important to support the University,” she said.
“I love events like this when we can get together.”
Founded in 1990, the Loughlin Society is made up of those
who contribute $1000 or more to the University within a single
fiscal year. The Loughlin Associates program is open to alumni
within one to four years of graduation who contribute $150 or more,
those within five to seven years of graduation who contribute $300
or more and those within eight to nine years of graduation who
contribute $600 or more. The Loughlin Society Patrons Program
exists to recognize outstanding donors who are also St. John's
University employees. For more information on the Loughlin
Society visit www.stjohns.edu/loughlinsociety