October 27, 2006
New York, NY -
2006 Spirit Award Recipients Foley, Holzschuh and Zizza
Honored
The Ninth Annual St. John’s University President’s Dinner set a
record last night by amassing $2 million in revenue with more than
1,200 in attendance at The Waldorf = Astoria. Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M. served as host for the evening honoring 2006 Spirit of
Service awardees Kathleen M. Foley, MD ’65UC, Attending
Neurologist, Pain and Palliative Care Service, Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Jeffrey R. Holzschuh, Vice Chairman,
Institutional Securities Group and Chairman, Power and Utility
Group in Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley & Company and
Salvatore J. Zizza, ‘67UC, ‘72MBA, President, Zizza and Co.,
Ltd.
Photo
Gallery
The night belonged to the honorees, two graduates of St. John’s
and one hailing from Niagara University, all members of the same
Vincentian family.
“I’ve attended the President’s Dinner in the past but never
dreamed of being up here as an honoree,” said Holzschuh, whose
career has blossomed on Wall Street. “My life has been deeply
affected by the Vincentians (while a student at Niagara). They
instilled in me a spirit of service that is something I’ve always
embraced to this day.”
Master of Ceremonies Mike Francesa, ‘77SVC, WFAN radio sports
broadcaster, nimbly kept the evening light by introducing poignant
video biographies done masterfully through the efforts of the A
& E Network, projected on big screens throughout The Grand
Ballroom to the enjoyment of those assembled.
The President’s Dinner gala was a celebration on many different
levels as honoree Zizza, a successful business entrepreneur,
announced as he spoke from the podium for his acceptance
speech.
“This is the year my family celebrates 50 years in America,” he
noted. “This award means the world to me and I thank St. John’s for
allowing this immigrant to fulfill his American Dream.”
Dr. Kathleen Foley reminisced about her college experience and
how St. John’s appeared like an angel from above to help her gain a
valuable education, minus the financial burden, to begin a
promising career and life in the medical profession.
“In 1961, now almost 45 years ago, I was the recipient of a
four-year scholarship to attend St. John’s University,” said Foley.
“I am most indebted to St. John’s for providing me with a unique
opportunity to graduate without overwhelming debt and for that I am
extremely grateful.”
Rev. Harrington lauded the honorees for their vision,
accomplishments and good works. He capped the historic evening off
by reading a passage from an alumnus of 1956, Nora Donegan, who was
touched by a video presentation she viewed after attending St.
John’s Capital Campaign
celebration earlier this year. Donegan wrote how proud she was of
her alma mater and that the years hadn’t changed the course of the
University’s mission.
“The body is stronger but its soul is the same,” she wrote. Rev.
Harrington added in closing, “Yes, St. John’s University’s body is
stronger today but its soul is the same – and for that we can all
truly rejoice.”
Learn more about this year's Spirit of Service
Honorees.
For more information regarding the Ninth Annual President’s
Dinner contact: Dominic Scianna, Director of Media Relations at St.
John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to
sciannad@stjohns.edu.