St. John's University Announces Peter J. Tobin to Leave Position of Business School Dean

By: Jody Fisher
October 30, 2002

Jamaica, NY - Peter J. Tobin, Dean of the Peter J. Tobin College of Business of St. John's University, will leave his current position at the end of the 2002-2003 academic year, it was announced by the University today. After serving five academic years, Dean Tobin will move to a new position within the University as Special Assistant to the President, having continuing responsibility for the integration of the School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (SRM) with the College. He will also play a special role in the development of corporate relationships and fundraising. The process for identifying a new dean will begin shortly.

"We are grateful to Peter for his remarkable leadership and fidelity to alma mater," said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John's University. "Since taking the helm of our College of Business, our students have benefited dramatically. It is in no small part due to the time, talent and unyielding generosity of Peter and his wife Mary, and for that, we cannot thank them enough."

"When I signed on as Dean, I made a three year commitment with specific goals in mind," said Dean Tobin. "Having accomplished my goals, the time has come for me to move into a different role. I thank Fr. Harrington and the faculty for their support over these last few years and look forward to continuing to serve the University and our students."

St. John's Tobin College of Business has undergone a dramatic evolution in the years Peter Tobin has been Dean. Appointed in 1998, Dean Tobin successfully led his College through its AACSB International reaccreditation effort. He worked to garner additional international support for the business programs offered at the University's Rome, Italy campus. In 1999, Dean Tobin made St. John's University history when he and his wife, Mary, donated $10.25 million to the College of Business in December of that year, at which time the University also changed the college's name to the Peter J. Tobin College of Business (TCB). In 2000, Dean Tobin spearheaded a successful merger with The College of Insurance (TCI), bringing that institution's programs, employees, students and alumni under the St. John's/Tobin College of Business umbrella, and giving St. John's a Manhattan campus for the first time in its history.

The son of Irish immigrants, Dean Tobin attended the University's College of Business on a St. John's scholarship provided to his local parish, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1965. He then embarked on a 32-year career in public accounting and banking, culminating as Chief Financial Officer of Chase Manhattan Corporation. Dean Tobin and his family also manage the foundation they established to help families with needs for housing, health and education. He has been honored by alma mater with an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science; St. John's Spirit of Service Award, which recognizes people whose vision, accomplishments and good works embody the essence of St. Vincent de Paul and reflect the mission of the University; and the Medal of Honor, the highest award that can be bestowed upon an alumnus.

Founded in 1870 by the Vincentian community, St. John's University has six schools and colleges. It offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctoral and professional degrees. The University enjoys an enrollment of more than 19,000 students and operates five campuses: in Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Oakdale in New York and in Rome, Italy.

For more information, please contact Jody Fisher, Director of Media Relations, at 718-990-6185 or at fisherjo@stjohns.edu.