November 17, 2006
The St. John’s University School of Education hosted its annual
Leaders in Education Awards Dinner, recognizing five alumni members
on Thursday evening in Marillac Terrace on the Queens Campus.
The 2006 honorees, who have proven to be extraordinary leaders
in the field of education, were: Lawrence J. Burke ‘73Ed, ‘77GEd,
RoseAnn Darch ‘89GEd, Frank S. Dinger, Jr. ‘71MBA, David Masur
‘03ED.D. and James J. Tolle ‘59C, ‘75Ed.D.
Burke graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John’s School of
Education and went on to serve 32 years in various roles with the
Baldwin Union Free School District in Nassau County. He is a
recipient of the Baldwin Parent Teacher Association Lifetime
Membership Award and was named an “Everyday Hero” by Newsday in
2004 for his tireless work as an educator. Burke currently
serves as an adjunct professor of education at Molloy College.
Darche began her public service career while a graduate student
at St. John’s and has developed into her current role of Special
Assistant for Education to Borough President Helen Marshall.
Her position has enabled her to enhance educational opportunities
for New York City children, one of her passions, by forging
partnerships between the schools, community and government to
create possibilities for all children. Through her work in
Queens, Darche has helped parents navigate the educational
bureaucracy and has helped build bridges of understanding and
knowledge through outreach into the community.
Dinger began working for his great-grandfather’s publishing
company, Sadlier Publishing, in 1963 and in 1992 he was elected
Chairman of the Board. In addition to his duties as Chairman,
Dinger donates his time as a member of the Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the International
Reading Association’s “Issues in Literacy Assessment
Committee.” An active member of his church and community,
Dinger is currently the Chairman of the National Catholic Education
Association Corporate Associates Ad Hoc Committee and is President
of the Parish Council of St. Gregory the Great in Manhattan.
Masur is in his 16th season as the Head Coach of the St. John’s
men’s soccer team. Over his tenure, the team has won a
national championship, made two appearances in the NCAA finals and
reached 15 consecutive NCAA Tournaments (including an appearance
this year). A two-time National Coach of the Year, Masur not only
coaches on the sidelines, but has delivered a positive message in
the classroom as well. His players have embodied the St.
John’s philosophy of win, serve and graduate, as nine of his
student-athletes have received Academic All-District honors and
seven have garnered Academic-All America accolades. While
posting impressive wins against the Nation’s top competition,
Masur’s team combined for a 3.28 grade point average during the
2005-06 academic year.
Tolle, the Executive Director of the Nassau County Council of
School Superintendents, has been the recipient of several awards
recognizing his commitment to education, including being named
Educator of the Year by the St. John’s Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa
and the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State
Athletic Administrator’s Association. Tolle was a devoted
educator for 34 years, serving the final 14 as the Superintendent
of Malverne Public Schools. During his tenure, Tolle also
spent two years as President of the New York State Public High
School Athletic Association and also served time as President of
the Federation of Secondary Schools’ Athletic Association. He
continues to serve as a mentor for new superintendents, principals
and other education administrators.
For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Reilly at (718)
990-5789 or e-mail inquires to reillye@stjohns.edu.