As Bernard Babb '53C, '58L is quick to point out, many times
things happen for a reason that doesn’t become apparent until years
later. A double alumnus of St. John’s University, Mr. Babb
related how his connection to St. John’s began long before he ever
set foot onto campus.
“The man who was to become my godfather came to America prior to
1900 with a letter from his bishop in Guyana as a recommendation to
help him find a job. The first job he got was at St. John’s
College in Brooklyn.”
After studying at St. Peter Claver School and Cathedral Prep
Seminary, Babb continued his education at St. John’s
University. He is a firm advocate of the Vincentian values
that were a part of his St. John’s experience and believes that
they are as relevant to today’s world as they were in his student
days. “The important thing is to do good, particularly among
poor people. The Vincentian values will always be relevant to
the world, because they aren’t something you merely think about;
they’re something you do.”
After graduating from St. John’s School of Law, Babb began his
professional career as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society, as
position which he enjoyed immensely because it “…gave me an
opportunity as a young lawyer to learn how the legal system really
worked.” He later went on to serve for 15 years as a trial
attorney within the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice,
after which he entered private practice, again specializing in
tariffs and international trade matters.
Babb’s Vincentian values remained with him throughout his legal
career. “As an attorney, I became very much aware of, and
more tolerant of human failings” he remarked thoughtfully, “but I
never lost my faith in people.”
Babb’s generosity toward St. John’s is firmly rooted in his own
experiences as an aspiring student. “I had to pay my dues to
get to where I wanted to be, and I’m happy to help young people
following in my footsteps. I feel that it’s my obligation to
give back to show how much I appreciate what was done for me.”
Like many members of The McCallen Society, Babb has included St.
John’s in his estate plans, specifically taking advantage of the
tax benefits associated with the popular IRA Rollover Plan.
By making his gift from funds previously included in his IRA, he is
able to support the University he loves in ways that would
otherwise be unavailable to him. As he so wisely notes “It’s
easier to do it this way, and if you want to be pragmatic, it costs
you less.”
Coming from someone as patient and thoughtful as Bernard Babb,
that advice is something to be taken very seriously.