November 17, 2006
Queens, N.Y. -
More than 150 St. John’s alumni, friends and faculty
crowded Marillac Terrace last night to celebrate five
distinguished individuals who were presented with the University’s
2006 Leaders in Education Awards.
The evening marked the second annual St. John’s Leaders in
Educations Awards Dinner (L.E.A.D.), sponsored by The School of
Education and the Office of Alumni Relations and honored
outstanding St. John’s alumni who have made significant
contributions to the field of education.
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“The contributions by these awardees to improving the quality of
education are among the highest in the nation,” says Jerrold Ross, Ph.D.,
Dean of The School of Education. “Their influence in policymaking
and service to teachers and children has been evident for many
years.”
During his opening remarks, Ross highlighted some of the
positive transformations taking place within The School of
Education. This year, the School earned full accreditation for the
first time in its history. In addition, the School is now housed in
state-of-the-art facilities thanks to major renovations to Sullivan
Hall earlier this year.
The following individuals were honored with Leaders in Education
Awards:
Lawrence J. Burke ’73Ed,
’77Ed
An Adjunct Professor for Malloy College, Burke previously served
for 32 years as a music and computer teacher at the Baldwin School
and was a charter member of the Baldwin Health and Safety,
Technology and Professional Development Committees. He has been
named an “Everyday Hero” by Newsweek and was a recent
inductee in “Who’s Who in American Education.” A member of the St.
John’s School of Education Alumni Association Board since 1974,
Burke recently was appointed to The School of Education Dean’s
Advisory Board.
Rose Ann Darche ’89GEd
The Special Assistant for Education to Queens Borough President
Helen Marshall, Darche also served as District Office Administrator
for the Speaker of the New York State Assembly and social worker
for the Massachusetts Division of Child Guardianship. She says her
professional focus is to forge partnerships between schools,
community and government to create unique possibilities for all
children.
Frank Sadlier Dinger Jr. ’71
M.B.A.
During his 14-year tenure as Chairman of the Board for William H.
Sadlier, Inc. — the country’s largest publisher of textbooks used
by Catholic schools — Dinger has overseen significant growth in his
company’s sales volume, employment and product and Web site
applications. He has been a member of Sadlier’s Board of Directors
since 1975 and also is a member of the Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development and the International Reading
Association’s Issues in Literacy Assessment Committee. He currently
also serves as Chairman of the National Catholic Education
Association Corporate Associates Ad Hoc Committee.
David Masur ’03 Ed.D.
St. John’s University Associate Director of Athletics and 15-year
Head Coach of the men’s soccer team, Masur led his squad to the
NCAA Division I championship title in 1996, the championship game
in 2003 and 14 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. He has posted the
third-highest winning percentage (.735) of any head coach in
Division I soccer. Over the past six seasons, Masur’s players have
earned seven Academic All-American Awards and nine Academic
All-District Awards. Last year, his players earned a 3.28
cumulative GPA.
James J. Tolle ’59C, ’75
Ed.D.
The Executive Director of the Nassau County Council of School
Superintendents, Tolle spent much of his career serving as
Principal and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the
Uniondale Public Schools in Nassau County. Prior to his appointment
as Executive Director, he served as Superintendent of the Malverne
Public Schools and President of the Nassau County Council of School
Superintendents. In addition, he has served on the New York State
Council of School Superintendents’ House of delegates and the
Commissioner of Education's Advisory Committee.