June 07, 2010
On Thursday, June 3, 2010 members of The McCallen Society
gathered for their Annual Recognition Mass and Luncheon, a popular
event that recognizes the generosity of those individuals, both
living and deceased, who have undertaken a planned giving
initiative to support the mission of St. John’s University. The
McCallen Society is named in memory of former University Treasurer
Rev. Thomas J. McCallen, C.M., who was instrumental in acquiring
the Hillcrest Golf Course which ultimately became the University’s
Queens campus.
Photo Gallery
The day began as members and their families gathered for a
concelebrated Mass in St. Thomas More Church with St. John’s
University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. serving as
principal celebrant. Concelebrating Mass with Fr. Harrington were
Rev. Joseph V. Daly, C.M. ’73G, ’75GEd, Assistant to the President,
Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Vice President for Mission
and Branch Campuses and Rev. John A. Kettelberger, C.M., Director
of Residence Ministry.
In his homily, Fr. Kettelberger
reminded the worshippers that, “The word of God is not chained,
because it cannot be chained. People will listen to the word of God
and their lives will be changed. Today is an opportunity for us to
hear the word of God and also to thank the members of The
McCallen Society for allowing St. John’s to remain true to our
mission and to share the word of God with others.”
Following Mass, guests enjoyed lunch in the Ballroom of the
D’Angelo Center. Welcoming them to this year’s event, Robert D.
Wile ’99SVC, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the
President and Chief Advancement Officer, thanked everyone for all
that they continue to do for the University. “Your support has
helped to allow St. John’s to do what it has done for more than 140
years; namely, to provide a superior, values-based education
to deserving students, many of whom come to us from families
bearing significant financial hardship. That’s what each of you is
helping to accomplish, and we’re all grateful.”
Fr. Harrington brought the guests up-to-date on the University’s
many successes that have marked the past and shared some of the
exciting initiatives that lie ahead. Thanking them for their
outstanding support, he noted that, “We look to a bright future for
St. John’s, and I thank you for being an important part of it.
You’re the ones who are investing in our future, because you
believe in our future. Knowing that you believe in us is most
important, and for that I thank you.”
Members of The McCallen
Society were grateful for the opportunity to get together and show
their support for the University that means so much to them for
many different reason.
“I have very strong feelings about St. John’s,” remarked Edward
Joyce ’69CBA. “Coming back to St. John’s is in my blood. St. John’s
will always be important to me because it gave me my start in
life.”
One of the newest members of The McCallen Society, Dr.
James Sheerin ’65Ed sees his participation as yet another way to
support the University that has always held a special place in his
heart. “I’ve been involved with St. John’s in many things over the
years,” he said. “I was involved in the School of Education
Centennial Committee and I’ve been a loyal supporter of the Red
Storm basketball program for many years. I have very warm memories
of St. John’s, particularly since I know that the University helped
me to start my career as a teacher and ultimately a school
superintendent. For me, and for most of the alumni, coming back and
giving back is a way to say thank you for giving us our start.”
At the other end of the spectrum,
Donald F. Keating ’52C noted that he and his wife Patricia “… are
probably two of the oldest, or maybe I should say earliest, members
of this great group. We were fortunate to be able to set up a
charitable trust and St. John’s is one of the beneficiaries of that
trust. It’s a great honor for us to support St. John’s. I was very
active when I was a student here and the University is still very
important to me.”
Susan Damiani ’87CBA, Director, Office of Gift Planning, was
grateful for the ongoing support shown by the members of The
McCallen Society for this and similar events throughout the year.
“These wonderful people are very important to us because they
support the future of the University,” she said. “They have fond
memories of being taught by the Vincentians and many were
scholarship recipients themselves, so they know how important it is
to give back and support the Vincentian mission.”