April 15, 2008
Donors of endowed scholarships enjoyed an opportunity to meet
and become acquainted with the students who benefit from their
generosity at the Endowed Scholarship Donor Brunch on Sunday April
13. 95 donors and scholarship recipients came together in the
Mattone Atrium of St. John’s School of Law to acknowledge each
other and reflect on their mutual love for and commitment to St.
John’s University.
Photo Gallery
St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.
noted that donor generosity has been a part of the University’s
history from its earliest days. “The St. John’s story is the
story of students in need”, Rev. Harrington said. “Our
students have always come from hard-working families, and it has
always been the generosity of our donors that has made a lasting
difference in their lives.”
For many donors, the opportunity to show their appreciation in a
very real way to the university that nurtured them during their own
student days was a motivating factor in their decision to endow a
scholarship. “Endowing my scholarships gives me an
opportunity to give back [to St. John’s] for everything that I’ve
received here” said Nick Davatzes ’62C, ’64G, ’95HON.
“Besides receiving a great education, this is where I met my wife
[Dorothea Hayes Davatzes ’66Ed]. It’s wonderful to see how
the University has evolved and continues to reach out to students
in need, which is important. To be able to see that happen
makes us both very happy.”
Mr. Davatzes thoughtfully pointed out that donor generosity has
a larger impact that extends well beyond the here and now.
“Education is important to our community and to our country.
The better educated our society is, the more likely we’re going to
do the right thing. That’s so important, and so consistent
with the Vincentian value system.”
St. John’s Provost Dr. Julia A. Upton, R.S.M. reminded everyone
of the humanitarian focus that underscores every aspect of what
takes place at the University on a daily basis. She urged the
scholarship students to be cognizant of the generosity that their
donors have bestowed upon them, and to use those gifts as a force
for positive change in the world. “We, each in our own way,
must become St. John’s ambassadors for change” she said, noting
that it is the responsibility of everyone at St. John’s to “…bestow
that reality upon our students from the very first moment that they
step onto campus.”
Daphne Vanessa Pierre a double major in both St. John’s College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as in St. John’s The Peter J.
Tobin College of Business who plans to graduate in May, 2009 was
particularly moved by Dr. Upton’s remarks. “When I was
listening to Dr. Upton just now I realized how accurate she was
when she spoke of us becoming ambassadors for change. There
are so many things that need to be changed in our world, and it’s
up to us to make it happen. Our education isn’t just for us,
or for our own success, but rather to help us make a difference and
solve some of the problems that seem to be always with us.”
Professor Chin Ling Wang spoke fondly of the University that has
been a part of his life for more than three decades. He and
his wife Sallie are glad to be able to reach out to today’s
students and help them along their pathways to personal growth and
professional success. “We simply love St. John’s”, said Prof
Wang. “St. John’s is my second home, and we’re happy for
every success that helps it grow bigger and better. Our
scholarship helps the students to become successful, and that’s a
wonderful thing of which we’re proud to be a part.”
Concluding the afternoon, Rev. Harrington noted that the
scholarship recipients at St. John’s are very much aware of what
has been done for them, and of their responsibility to reach out to
others today and for the rest of their lives. “Our students know
that their lives have been changed by their scholarship to St.
John’s, and they also know that they cannot just take, but that
they have to give back to the world.”