February 11, 2013
Pascal Desroches ’86CBA readily acknowledges that his time at
St. John’s University transformed him in ways that went well beyond
the classroom. Being part of the University community allowed him
to develop a lifelong sense of personal and professional
self-confidence, coupled with a recognition of the importance of
making a difference for others, that has remained with him
throughout his life.
“One of the things St. John’s teaches us is that being successful
isn’t about where you came from,” he said. “I’m the product of an
immigrant family, and I was able to succeed because of the
excellent opportunities that the University provides for every
student. And it wasn’t just me. My brother graduated from St.
John’s and went on to become a successful physician and my sister,
a St. John’s alumna, is a well-respected attorney. The University
offered each of us the means to grow as persons and have great
careers.”
Desroches has fond memories of his student days on campus. He
enjoyed the intellectual stimulation that his classes provided, and
shared his knowledge with others by working as a student tutor
within the Work-Study Program. And like so many of his peers, he
was a huge fan of the legendary
Men’s Basketball team that dominated the college courts during
the mid-80s.
“Back when I was a student, St. John’s was largely a commuter
school,” he recalled, “and like so many New Yorkers, we were great
fans of the basketball program. That was back in the years when
Chris Mullin, Walter Berry and Mark Jackson were part of our Final
Four team. I had season tickets, and got to as many games as I
possibly could.”
By the time he was ready to graduate, Desroches was on his way to
what would become an outstanding business career. He had been
recruited on campus by Peat Marwick as an Assistant Accountant, and
from that first job began a steady rise to his current position of
Senior Vice President and Controller at Time Warner, Inc.
As someone who has always enjoyed interacting with others, he has a
passion for his profession that goes well beyond the numbers in a
profit and loss report.
“What’s terrific about my job is that every day I have the
opportunity to work with really gifted and passionate people,” he
said. “My colleagues are some of the most talented professionals in
their position, and they really care about what they do. I also
love that I get to work with some of the leading media companies in
the world. If you think about our brands, like HBO, CNN,
Time magazine and Fortune magazine, they are some
of the most important outlets when it comes to informing and
entertaining people.”
Embracing the commitment to service that began with his family and
was nurtured at St. John’s, this outgoing alumnus shares his time
and talents with a variety of organizations that provide
educational and familial support for young people. He currently
serves as Treasurer of Prep for Prep, an organization that
identifies New York City’s most promising students of color and
prepares them for placement at independent schools in the city and
boarding schools throughout the Northeast. Once placed, the
students receive the support necessary to ensure their academic
accomplishment and personal growth.
“I’ve been involved with Prep for Prep for about six years,” he
noted, “and the success of these students in college has been
extraordinary. We’ve had Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars and
White House Fellows come through that program. It’s great to see
those kids getting the chance that they deserve.”
He is also a member of the Board of Directors of New Alternatives
for Children, a social service agency that provides much needed
medical services, counseling and financial support to children with
severe physical and emotional challenges. The goal of the
organization is for children with special needs to spend as much
time as possible with their families rather than living in
institutions.
Even though more than a quarter century has passed since his
graduation, Desroches’ connection to St. John’s remains strong. He
is a member of the Board of Advisors of The
Peter J. Tobin College of Business and supports the University
financially through his membership in
The Loughlin Society. He believes that the best way to show his
appreciation for what was done for him is by helping to ensure that
current and future students will enjoy similar opportunities.
“The University put me in a position to be successful,” he
acknowledged, “and as a result, I believe that I have an obligation
to give back. St. John’s always taught us that we were expected to
help others and that we should always remember what was done for
us. They provided me with much needed financial aid when I was a
student, and without it there would have been no way for me to go
to college. I’ve always believed that none of us gets to where we
are without someone helping us, and as a result it’s important for
us to try to make a difference for others, however we can. Between
what my family taught me and the values I learned at St. John’s,
that commitment will be with me forever.”
And the affection is mutual. Reflecting its pride in the
accomplishments and respect for the caring and compassion of this
exceptional alumnus, in 2011 St. John’s presented him with the
Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award.