September 26, 2011
For the members of The McCallen Society, it’s always been about
the future.
It has been said that if something comes to life in others because
of you, then you have made an approach to immortality. The strongly
forged link between the past, present and future was very much in
evidence as St. John’s University expressed its appreciation to the
members of this very special group of donors at this year’s
McCallen Society Recognition Mass and Luncheon.
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“Each one of you manifests a commitment to St. John’s and its
mission,” noted St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M. “You believe in St. John’s and you are a part of
its future. We’re so grateful that you want to help us believe in
the dreams that never end.”
Opportunity and generosity have always been among the defining
characteristics of the St. John’s experience. For many members of
The McCallen Society, those qualities continue to resonate, even
though many years have passed since their time on campus. They have
never forgotten what was done for them, and are eager to offer
similar assistance to current and future students.
“The McCallen Society is important to me, because it gives me a
chance to lend support to students who are struggling financially,”
said Glen Shane ’63CBA. “I received a full, four-year scholarship
to St. John’s, and I would never have been able to come here
without that help. Being a part of The McCallen Society is a way to
establish my legacy and keep it alive at St. John’s. None of us are
immortal, but by giving back and helping the students who will be
here years from now, it’s the next best thing.”
For John F. Scheich ’63C, ’66L, the Vincentians have always played
an integral role in his academic history and personal development.
He was first introduced to the unique values of St. Vincent de Paul
while a student at St. John’s Preparatory High School in Brooklyn,
and became even more immersed during his four years as an
undergraduate in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,
followed by three additional years at St.
John’s School of Law. The time spent with the Vincentians made a
lasting difference in his life.
“I’ve never forgotten what they did for me,” he remarked, “and I
know that in the future there will be young people coming along
much like me who will need some of that same help. It’s nice to
know that I’ll be doing the same thing for others, who will
hopefully then decide to give back to those who follow after them.
I feel like I’m part of a chain that stretches well into the
future.”
Although not an alumna, Thekla Manganelli recently joined The
McCallen Society as a means of keeping her husband’s memory alive
at St. John’s. Her late husband was a member of the Class of 1941
from the Lewis Avenue campus, and she is committed to continuing
his strong attachment to the University.
“My husband wished to support St. John’s, and I’m carrying out his
wishes,” she said. “Being a member of The McCallen Society is
allowing me to reach into the future, and I get a great feeling of
satisfaction by knowing this his memory, and someday my memory,
will always be a part of St. John’s.”
The McCallen Society is a donor recognition group for alumni and
friends who have included St. John’s in their estate plans. It is
named in memory of Rev. Thomas J. McCallen, C.M., the former
University Treasurer whose vision and foresight were instrumental
in securing the property that would ultimately become the Queens
campus.