November 02, 2006
The St. John’s
University School of Law Alumni Association, the Alumni of
Color Chapter and The
Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic
Development feted the Honorable Basil A. Patterson ‘51L, ‘02HON
with the presentation of the Charles B. Rangel Award at its
Manhattan Campus last week. Congressman Rangel, also a graduate of
St. John’s ’60 L, ‘83HON was on hand to present the award to his
friend and colleague Patterson at the first recognized event by the
Alumni of Color Chapter.
“This is a new day in St. John’s Law School history,” said St.
John’s Law Professor Leonard M.
Baynes, Director of the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights
and Economic Development. “Tonight marks the first of many events
planned to bring our alumni back together for worthwhile endeavors
such as this.”
The chapter was the brainchild of Law School alums Michelle
Pinzon ‘04, Cindy Chen ’04, Jade Fuller ’04, Roberto Martens ’03,
Ferrish Patel ’03 and Eon Smith ’03, who discussed the possibility
at the February Alumni of Color Reunion. Pinzon and Fuller
approached St. John’s Law School Dean Mary C.
Daly and Baynes about the possibility of starting an Alumni of
Color chapter. Both Daly and Baynes embraced the idea with open
arms.
“It’s unbelievable and we were thrilled that Congressman Rangel
agreed to be here for our first official gathering,” said Pinzon,
“A turnout like this (more than 100 attendees) is a strong
indication of the response and success we can attain as a new
chapter in the future.”
St. John’s representatives Daly, Baynes, Pinzon, Fuller and
Brian Browne, St. John’s Director of the Manhattan campus and
Assistant Vice President for Government Relations attended the
reception and listened intently as Rangel and Patterson credited
their education at St. John’s as a major factor in their successful
political and legal aspirations.
“We were both successful because we came from working class
families and that’s what St. John’s is all about historically,”
said Patterson. “It was always a comfortable environment for us and
it’s a pleasure to return whenever we can. Graduates need to
understand that we would not be where we are today without St.
John’s.”
For more information about the Alumni of Color Chapter of the St.
John’s University Law School contact Claire McKeever, Assistant
Dean for Alumni Relations at (718) 990-6006 or e-mail
inquiries to lawalumni@stjohns.edu.
For media inquiries please contact Dominic Scianna, Director of
Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185
or e-mail requests to sciannad@stjohns.edu.