October 15, 2018
St. John’s University extended a warm welcome on Wednesday, September 19, to members of The McCallen Society as they came together on the Queens, NY, campus for the Annual Recognition Mass and Luncheon, held to honor their ongoing dedication to the University.
Named for Rev. Thomas J. McCallen, C.M., former University Treasurer, The McCallen Society is composed of alumni, benefactors, and friends who remember the University in their estate planning. Their gifts fund scholarships, programs, and initiatives, as well as facilities upgrades and improvements needed to help ensure student success.
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President of St. John’s University, addressed society members gathered inside St. Thomas More Church immediately following a special Mass that was celebrated by Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, C.M. ’70C, Executive Vice President for Mission.
The President reprised the tone he used to deliver his fourth State of the University Address on September 12, declaring, “The state of the University is strong, stable, and remains true to its mission to help those most in need.”
“I am grateful for all you do for the University and our students,” Dr. Gempesaw said to society members as he updated them on various milestones achieved during the past year. He announced that, for the Fall 2018 semester, St. John’s enrolled a first-year class of about 3,100 students, the largest “by far” of any Catholic college or university in the nation.
“We are also continuing our emphasis on hiring new faculty for the fourth year in a row,” said the President. “We have 43 new faculty, and 60 percent of them are women.”
Dr. Gempesaw listed several new facilities, such as the Media Arts & Design Lab, which he described as one of the most advanced digital labs in the country. The “MAD Lab” will support programs in digital media, animation, art and design, advertising, and journalism.
In addition, the President said a record was set this past year for fundraising, at $27 million. History was also made on September 12 when Dr. Gempesaw announced St. John’s had received its largest single gift, totaling $15 million, in the 148-year existence of the University. The gift was from Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, C.V. Starr & Co. Inc., and Chairman, The Starr Foundation. The donation will establish the Maurice R. Greenberg Leadership Initiative at the School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (SRM), part of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s.
Frank J. Pannizzo ’59UC, ’62L shared with the gathering his reasons for maintaining his membership in The McCallen Society.
“The education I received at the University prepared me for a wonderful career. But St. John’s did so much more for me than to provide an exceptional educational experience,” he said. “The Vincentian values, and the care and compassion for others that I learned here, have always been a part of my life.”
“Being a member of the society,” Mr. Pannizzo added, “is a way for us to be a part of the University’s future while upholding the values that make St. John’s unique for nearly a century and a half.”
Angelica Acevedo, a Journalism major in the College of Professional Studies who is also Editor-in-Chief of The Torch, St. John’s independent student newspaper, expressed her appreciation to society members.
“As a recipient of academic and financial aid scholarships, I cannot stress enough how meaningful your support is to me,” Angelica said. “I would like to extend a thank you on behalf of the student body and the St. John’s community. It is an honor and a pleasure to have met most of you during my time at St. John’s, and I look forward to becoming a member of the alumni network when I graduate in May—and someday, following in your footsteps.”
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