December 04, 2009
On Thursday, December 3, 2009 over 330 members of The Loughlin
Society, including former United States Representative and New York
State Governor Hon. Hugh L. Carey ’42C, ’51L, ’67HON, gathered at
The Essex House in New York City for their Annual Winter Reception,
a traditional event designed to allow St. John’s University to
express its appreciation for the support of its most generous
donors. The Loughlin Society is named in honor of John
Loughlin, the first Bishop of Brooklyn, who called upon the
Vincentians to establish a Catholic college to serve the needs of
the children of immigrants who did not have access to higher
education. Membership in The Loughlin Society is reserved for
donors who make annual gifts to St. John’s of $1,000 or more.
Photo Gallery
Welcoming the guests to the evening’s festivities, Robert D.
Wile ’99SVC, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Chief Advancement
Officer, Office of the President noted that, “… your exceptional
generosity has again allowed our University to achieve wonderful
things. It is your support that helps to sustain the mission
that has been our bedrock for more than 140 years. And so I thank
you on behalf of our more than 20,000 students, young men and women
whose lives have been significantly impacted by your willingness to
walk in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul.”
St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.
was pleased that so many of the University’s loyal alumni and
special friends were able to attend this popular event. He
thanked them for their loyalty and support that has impacted St.
John’s in so many ways. “When I look at this room, I am very
taken by how very, very blessed we are as a university,” he
said. “You, the Loughlin Society members, believed in St.
John’s, you invested in St. John’s, and your investment has borne
great fruit. Without your support, there would be no ‘new St.
John’s’.”
A highlight of the evening were the genuinely moving remarks
delivered by Theresa P. Ahlstrom ’83CBA, a loyal alumna who shared
her thoughts on why membership in The Loughlin Society is so
important to her. “I went to St. John’s on a scholarship, and it
was a great gift. St. John’s enabled me to have a wonderful
college education that allowed me to launch a really fulfilling and
rewarding career. As an employer, I see that the University
is still doing an exceptional job in preparing students. Also, the
Vincentian values are highly important to me, and it’s very
comforting to know that in this very upside-down world, our
University continues to place a high priority on ethics and social
responsibility.”
Guests enjoyed the opportunity to mingle within the festive
atmosphere of one of New York City’s most historic and best-known
venues while never losing sight of their underlying commitment to
alma mater. Patricia Castel Skarulis ’66C, ’68G, a member of
the University’s Board of Governors, saw the reception as a way to
acknowledge the many wonderful and unique aspects of the St. John’s
experience. “Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate
with others our love of St. John’s and to support the University’s
great Vincentian mission and outreach initiatives. It’s also
a wonderful time to speak to some of our [President’s Society]
students and learn what they’re doing. Tonight, I and the
other members of The Loughlin Society celebrate the life of St.
John’s.”
“This reception is a wonderful way to not only support The
Loughlin Society and help build our future, it’s also a great way
to network with other members to find the connections to help
advance the mission of St. John’s,” agreed Joseph R. Gagliano, Jr.
’82C, ’85L. “The people here can work together to find new
ways to support the University into the next decade.”
Many alumni were quick to express their gratitude to the
University that has occupied such a pivotal place in their lives
for so many years. “I got a great deal out of my time at St.
John’s,” remarked James W. Christmas ’70CBA. “It really
formed my foundation, not only in a business sense but also from a
personal standpoint. Ethics was stressed at St. John’s even
before it became a popular concept in the rest of the world.
My Vincentian ethics have carried through and remain strong within
me today. The University is important to me, and I just want
to give back as much as I can.”
“This University has been a part of my life since 1961,” echoed
Geraldine Ruggieri DiPersia ’65Ed, ’67GEd “and I’m always happy to
come back and share my experiences at St. John’s.”
For Peter E. Pisapia ’94CBA, ’97L, the reception allowed him to
catch up on recent events at St. John’s while networking and
socializing with others who are a part of the university he
loves. “I’m here because this is a great event to see Fr.
Harrington and all of the terrific and successful St. John’s
alumni,” he said. “It’s great to hear about what’s going on
at St. John’s, and I like meeting the students and seeing how
excited they are about being here. I really love being
involved in the whole St. John’s experience.”
A number of students from the President’s Society were present
to welcome the guests and assist them as necessary throughout the
evening. “It’s such an honor for me to see these wonderful people
who contribute so much to my education,” said senior Biology major
Kelly McConnell ’10C. “I know that I and my fellow students owe
them a big ‘Thank You” for all that they do for us.”
“I feel completely honored to be in the presence of so many
donors,” agreed fellow President’s Society member Gavin Buckley
’10C, a senior majoring in English. “As a student, to
actually see the people who have done so much for us is absolutely
great.”