May 30, 2009
On Friday evening, May 29, St. John’s University acknowledged
the outstanding achievements of 26 of its most notable alumni at
the 28th Annual Alumni Convocation in the Taffner Field House on
the Queens campus. The honored alumni and their awards
included:
Honorary
Degree
Vincent M. Albanese, Esq., '49L, '09HON
President’s Medal
Richard
C. Nerod '59C
Leo
W. Pierce, Sr. '39C, '99HON
John T. Thornton '59CBA, '72L, '02HON
Pietas Medal
Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Brennan '84C
Laura J. Cranston, R.Ph. '84P
Rev.
James J. Maher, C.M. '84C
John P. Tutunjian '59UC
John
A. Warren, Jr. '74C, '88HON
Heritage Circle
Richard R. Bonadio '59CBA
John
H. Carew '59C, '00HON
William John Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. '49Ed, '52G
Jeremiah J. Sullivan '39C, '42L
Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award
Richard J. Carbone '69Ed, '77MBA
John
M. Coster, Ph.D., R.Ph. '84P
Frank
G. Fusaro '69CBA
Mary Jane Helenek '82P, '84GP, '87MBA
Hon.
Lenora Gerard James '86SVC, '89L
William J. Janetschek, Jr. '84CBA
Robert Kalenka '84CBA, '91MBA
Anne
Yee Fun Lin '84P, '86Pharm.D.
Bernadette Cannon McDonald '84SVC
Lewis
Rice, Jr. '74SVC
Joseph M. Scharfenberger '69C
Robin Bardenhagen Sheehan '94C, '96MLS
Photo Gallery
As they arrived on campus the honorees and their guests had an
opportunity to mingle and chat with one another at a cocktail
reception, after which they were ushered into the formal
convocation by selected students from the St. John’s University
President’s Society.
Joseph Sciame '71Ed, Vice President of Community Relations at
St. John’s University, began the ceremony by welcoming the
honorees. “This evening allows all of us at St. John’s to
personally express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our alumni, for
the extraordinary commitment you have shown to alma mater
throughout the years,” he said. “You embody the strong sense
of community that unites the many generations of St. John’s alumni,
and which will continue to unite us for generations to come.”
As the
ceremony progressed a citation was read detailing the life and
accomplishments of each honoree. Following the reading of
their citation, each honoree received his or her award from Rev.
Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s
University.
“A university is best measured by the lives of its alumni,” said
Father Harrington. “Tonight we have heard of the great
success of our alumni in many different ways in areas literally
around the world. As these alumni have gone on to great
success, they have not forgotten St. John’s.”
“This is a very nice recognition after 25 years from my
graduation,” said Laura Cranston '84P. “I really appreciate
the recognition and I really enjoy working with the St. John’s
alumni down in [Washington] DC.
Jack Carew '59C, '00HON was quick to express his affection for
St. John’s and his pleasure at receiving his award. “I love
the University so much,” he said. “I can’t begin to tell you
how much I love it. I’ve been away for many, many years but I
always come back. I’m going to accept this award with a great
deal of honor and gratitude to the University. It’s such a
great place.”
The Convocation concluded with a dessert reception for the
honorees and their guests.