October 25, 2012
Employees have always played an important role within the St.
John’s University community, and many continue their connection
after retirement. Speaking at the Fall 2012 Retirees
Association Luncheon, Moderator Rev. Joseph V. Daly, C.M. ’73G,
’75GEd remarked on the importance of the University’s former
employees.
Photo gallery
“Our retirees are the backbone of St. John’s,” noted Fr. Daly.
“They’re the ones who have built up the University over the years
by their dedication, by their work, by their hospitality and by
their welcoming attitude to our students. They were a part of our
history, and are a part of our future. These dedicated men and
women span the entire spectrum at St. John’s, and they’re a great
group of people.”
The popular
semi-annual luncheon featured a presentation by Erena DiGonis,
M.S.W., a healthcare and nutrition expert who provided information
on topics including the healing properties of cacao and how to find
the best chocolate. Retirees were able to sample a chocolate
smoothie, snack mix and desserts.
Lorraine Persico worked at St. John’s for 23 years before
retiring in 2000. She began her career as Supervisor of the
University’s first Micro Lab and later served within the Department
of Information Technology. Like many of her fellow retirees, she
continues to be impressed by the many changes that seem to be
forever taking place at St. John’s.
“There have been so many changes here since I retired 12 years
ago,” she said, “and they’re all wonderful. But what’s really
wonderful is that those of us who have retired haven’t forgotten
each other, and the University hasn’t forgotten us. This luncheon
is a wonderful opportunity to get together again, and we look
forward to it.”
During Patricia Andres’ 15 years at St. John’s as a member of
the Office of Financial Aid, she experienced firsthand the many
ways that the University was making a difference in the lives of
its students. She recalled the satisfaction that she and her
colleagues felt when they were able to help students and their
families.
“The people
in the Financial Aid Office were so close that I couldn’t wait to
get to the office every morning to see what the day would bring,”
she recalled. “We all really enjoyed helping the students, because
we knew that what we were doing was making a difference for them. I
came to work at St. John’s as a widow after losing my husband, and
it was a very important healing process for me. I met wonderful
people and I became part of the world again. Those years at the
University were very special.”
While many retirees have a long association with St. John’s, few
can top the more than 66 years that Jim Ducey ’50C has been a
member of the University family. Ducey graduated from the Lewis
Avenue campus in 1950, and spent a number of years doing a variety
of tasks within the Department of Athletics before retiring in
1996. For this active octogenarian, the Retirees Association is one
of the many ways that he stays connected to the people who have
been a part of his life for so long.
“I worked at St. John’s six years full-time and 10 years
part-time. I did the scoreboard for the men’s and women’s
basketball games and also worked at a number of baseball games. I
love this luncheon, and it’s great to see some of the other old
timers here today. I enjoy coming here, and I don’t think I’ve ever
missed one, and I never plan on missing one. I have a long history
with St. John’s, and I’ve had a great love affair
with the University. It’s a wonderful place.”