Some Enchanted
Evening
The Alumni Dinner Dance offered good food, good tunes and a chance
for those gathered to reconnect with old friends.
Held June 9 in Taffner Field House on the Queens campus the event
began with a cocktail reception where attendees munched on hors
d’oeuvres and chatted. The room was abuzz as alumni searched for
fellow classmates and reveled in the good time. Alumna Lisa Anzizi
Lasagne ’82P, ’84GP said those who weren’t in attendance really
missed out on a great evening. “They’ve got to remember where they
started and maintain those contacts,” she said. “I would encourage
[alumni] to remain in contact with the University. I have good
memories here and this is a way of remembering those.”
A sumptuous dinner – which included St. John’s red velvet cupcakes
for dessert – was held immediately following cocktails and Master
of Ceremonies Robert Wile ’99SVC welcomed everyone before turning
over the microphone to Joseph Gagliano, Jr., Esq. ’82C, ’85L who
sang the national anthem. After an invocation by Rev. Kevin Creagh,
C.M. ’91SVC, ’04PD, assistant vice president for branch campuses
and assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement,
there was a special presentation of plaques to members of the
classes of 1932, ’37, ’42 and ’47. The Fidelitas Award, presented
to alumni couples who attended the University, married and have
consistently demonstrated their deep commitment, dedication and
love, as a married couple, for alma mater, was given to William
(’67CBA, ’88HON) and Margaret Montgoris ’68Ed and Joseph (’82CBA)
and Antoinette O’Connor ’82CBA.
The presentation of the class gift of more than $1.7 million, one
of the most generous in recent years, was met with a rousing
applause. Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. shared with the audience
some of the many accomplishments and changes that have occurred at
St. John’s and thanked the audience for their continued support.
“But regardless of the success we are not complacent,” he said. “We
continue to transform St. John’s, carefully preserving the essence
of what we are as a Vincentian and Catholic university, but always
striving to be better.” He also implored attendees to remain close
to
alma mater. “My friends, I invite you to continue to
hold a place in your heart for the University which guided,
nurtured and tempered you through some of the most formative years
of your life,” Harrington said. “I ask that you remember often the
days that you spent in our classrooms, on our athletic fields and
in our chapels. I urge you to recall the evolution that ever
so quietly took place between your first and last days on campus.
And then, I ask that you take a moment to enjoy a well-deserved
smile of satisfaction, a smile that acknowledges that you and your
University were, and still are, partners in an endeavor that knows
no bounds. “
A slide show set to the song “Home” was played and attendees later
donned top hats, boas and blinking stars to dance the night
away.
View the full event
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