St. John's News
Society Members Enjoy Holiday Pre-Concert Reception
December 10, 2007
Members of the Loughlin and McCallen Societies and their guests
attended a VIP reception held at the Queens campus prior to the
20th Annual Christmas Concert on December 8. The group mingled,
enjoyed some holiday goodies and was treated to remarks from
Maestro Louis Panacciulli, music director and conductor of the
Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra which performed along with the
University Mixed Chorus at the concert.
The festive atmosphere in Marillac Hall added to the joy many of
the attendees felt in returning to campus. “We came last year and
we enjoyed the concert and the fellowship with other people who
love St. John’s,” said John Kuhn Bleimaier, Esq. ’75L. “I love
coming here.” Both the Loughlin Society and the McCalllen Society
are comprised of those who have given generously to the University
and Carl Martorana ’57P, ’60GP said the he appreciated the
opportunity to both enjoy music and support the mission of St.
John’s. “They do a superb job with the concert,” he said. “This
University also does a great job for the students and so many of
them need that support.”
Jane Smith ’64CBA said it is important for St. John’s to have
events such as the concert which not only serve as an opportunity
for members of the community to visit the campus, but also aid
others in that donations of new, unwrapped toys or children's books
were requested of attendees for distribution to various children's
organizations. “It’s a reminder of the Vincentian interest in the
poor,” she said.
Maestro Panacciulli entertained those gathered with a few facts
about some of the music they would be hearing during the concert
including selections from The Nutcracker Suite and from Handel’s
Messiah. The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, of which he is
co-founder, has happily performed the concert at St. John’s for 20
years, he said. “We have enjoyed a very long relationship with the
University and a very rewarding one as well,” Panacciulli
added.
Members of the Loughlin Society celebrate the legacy of the
first Bishop of Brooklyn, John Loughlin, by contributing a
leadership gift of $1,000 or more toward any University fund during
our fiscal year, which falls between June 1 and May 31. Loughlin
called upon the Vincentians to establish a Catholic college to
provide a quality education for the children of immigrants.
McCallen Society members are some of St. John’s most generous
supporters who honor the University’s legacy by including St.
John’s in their estate and financial plans. For more information
about either of these giving societies, please visit www.stjohns.edu/loughlinsociety or www.stjohns.edu/giftplanning