October 22, 2012
Spirit of Service Awards Honor Robert B.
Catell, Christie B. and Anthony J. de Nicola and Lewis
S. Ranieri ’86C, ’87HON at Waldorf ~ Astoria, October
25
St. John’s University will hold its 15th Annual President’s Dinner
on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at The Waldorf~Astoria Hotel in New
York City. St. John’s President Rev. Donald J. Harrington,
C.M. will host what has become the University’s premier fundraising
event.
Since its inception the President’s Dinner has generated revenue of
$23,112,780. Funds raised from this signature event are used as
scholarship assistance to directly benefit the University’s most
deserving students.
One of the highlights of the black tie event is the presentation of
the prestigious Spirit of Service Award to exceptional individuals
who have lived their lives in accordance with the Vincentian
philosophy of caring and concern for others, values that have
served as the foundation of the St. John’s mission since its
founding in 1870.
This year’s honorees include Lewis S. Ranieri ’86C, ’87HON,
Chairman, Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, Diocese of Rockville Centre
and Chairman and Founding Partner, Ranieri and Co., Inc.; Christie
B. de Nicola and Anthony J. de Nicola, Co-President, Welsh, Carson,
Anderson & Stowe; and Robert B. Catell, Chairman, Futures in
Education, Diocese of Brooklyn and Chairman, Cristo Rey Brooklyn
High School.
Many past Spirit of Service Award honorees from previous
President’s Dinners will be in attendance to celebrate with Fr.
Harrington and the St. John’s community. NBC News 4 New York
Sports Anchor Bruce Beck will serve as Master of Ceremonies, adding
his special New York flair to this exceptional evening.
Lesley H. (’83SVC) and William L. Collins ’76C, Founder, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Brencourt Advisors
LLC, are the 2012 Dinner Co-Chairs, and Mary P. (’00HON) and Peter
J. Tobin ’65CBA, ’96HON are the Honorary Chairs for the past Spirit
of Service Award honorees.
Past honorees include Nina Aversano (2000), Hon. Joseph W.
Bellacosa (2002), Hon. Hugh L. Carey, deceased (2000), Lou
Carnesecca (2008), Mary Carnesecca (2008), Richard Chapdelaine
(2004), Margaret LaRosa D’Angelo (2011), Peter P. D’Angelo (2011),
Richard DeZego (2005), Paul J. Evanson (2010), Kathleen M. Foley,
M.D. (2006), Sr. Judy Garson, R.S.C.J. (2004), Jeffrey R. Holzschuh
(2006), William J. Janetschek, Jr. (2011), Carol A. Kelleher
(2009), Denis P. Kelleher (2009), Hon. Raymond W. Kelly (2010),
Bernard D. Kennedy (2003), Raymond F. Kennedy, Esq., deceased
(2002), Joseph M. Mattone, Sr., Esq. (2004), Mary Ann Mattone
(2010), George T. McDonald (2008), Sr. Mary Rose McGeady, D.C.,
deceased (2003), John F. McGillicuddy, deceased (2000), Paula
McInerney (2005), Thomas E. McInerney (2005), Edward D. Miller
(1999), Arthur J. Mirante II, Esq. (2007), Elizabeth Mirante
(2007), James P. Pellow, Ed.D. (2011), Frederic V. Salerno (2002),
Linda S. Sanford (2003), James J. Schiro (2002), Joseph H. Schwartz
(2008), Maria C. Schwartz (2008), Frank J. Sciame, Jr. (2009),
Brian T. Shea (2007), Patricia M. Shea (2007), Donald L. Taffner,
deceased (2007), Eleanor B. Taffner, deceased (2007), Mary P. Tobin
(2005), Peter J. Tobin (1998), Charles R. Walsh (1999), Jayson
Williams (1999) and Salvatore J. Zizza (2006).
For additional information regarding the 15th Annual St. John’s
University President’s Dinner contact Jeanne M. Umland ’79C, ’82G,
’93PD, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at
(718) 990-6776 or via e-mail at umlandj@stjohns.edu.
For media inquiries contact Dominic Scianna, Associate Vice
President of External Affairs, at (718) 990-6185 or via e-mail at
sciannad@stjohns.edu.