September 26, 2011
Since its creation 14 years ago, the President’s Dinner has
become St. John’s premier fundraising event, generating over $2.2
million last year to benefit students. And Jeanne Umland ’79C,
’82G, ’93PD, Associate Vice President, Division of Institutional
Advancement, has been there since day one.
“The whole idea of the President’s Dinner was University
President Rev. Donald J. Harrington’s,” she recalled. “In 1997, I
was the Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the
Office of Admissions, and I was asked to come over to Institutional
Advancement to take on a new job: helping to develop a fundraising
event that would generate one million dollars. The first year we
raised $500,000 and were very happy with that, and each year we
refined it and the results got better and better.”
Umland is currently preparing for the 14th Annual President’s
Dinner, which will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at The
Waldorf=Astoria , the event’s home since its third year. As always,
the Spirit of Service Award will be presented to outstanding alumni
and friends who have consistently exhibited Vincentian values in
their lives. Umland believes that recognizing these exceptional
individuals is one of the most important aspects of the
event.
“The people we honor each year are wonderful examples of those who
live the Vincentian mission,” she said. “I’m always amazed at how
successful our honorees are and how they make service a part of
their daily lives.”
An energetic and outgoing triple alumna, Umland has been involved
with St. John’s for over 30 years. She attended the University as
an undergraduate in the ’70s and began working for St. John’s a
year after graduating. Over the last three decades, she has served
as Recruitment Advisor, Executive Director of University Student
Recruitment Services and the Associate Vice President and Executive
Director of the Office of Admissions. In her current position, she
manages the President’s Dinner and assists in the planning and
execution of other events such as The Loughlin Society Winter
Reception, the McCallen Society Mass and Luncheon, Blessing of the
Couples and more. In addition, she manages the Office of Donor
Relations, which acknowledges and stewards all St. John’s
donors.
Just as her responsibilities have grown over the years, so too has
her commitment to service.
“Interestingly, when I was a student here, I didn’t even know what
a Vincentian was,” Umland explained. “I was a science major,
spending hours in labs, studying and working, so I didn’t have time
to get involved on campus. But once I started working here, I
learned about the Vincentian charism and began to incorporate it at
work, in my community and, of course, at home.”
Umland participates in a host of service activities both on and off
campus. She has been involved in the American Cancer Society’s
Breast Cancer Walk, has taught CCD and has been in leadership roles
in her two sons’ Boy Scout troop for the last eight years.
The Vincentian values have come to define Umland, who has seen the
University grow in remarkable ways, physically, academically and
spiritually. Umland finds it especially rewarding to know that
through events like the President’s Dinner, she has helped to make
this transformation a reality.
“I truly enjoy my work at St. John’s,” she noted. “And knowing that
I’ve had a hand in producing so many opportunities to our students
is the best part.”