April 18, 2018
Loyal alumni and friends of St. John’s University gathered to hear how their generous donations are impacting current students at the annual Loughlin Society reception held at the Manhattan, NY, campus on April 12.
The Loughlin Society is named in honor of John Loughlin, the first Bishop of Brooklyn, who called upon the Congregation of the Mission to establish a Catholic college to serve the needs of New York City’s children who did not have access to higher education. Today, the Society is comprised of donors who make annual gifts to the University of $1,000 or more.
Nearly 2,000 donors are members of The Loughlin Society, and in the last year, they generously contributed more than $7.5 million to support priorities such as student scholarships, academic programming, upgraded campus facilities, enhanced technology, and faculty research.
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President of St. John’s, thanked the more than 125 people in attendance for their outstanding loyalty and support. He highlighted the University’s recent record-breaking Accepted Student Day, where over 2,100 prospective students experienced what St. John’s has to offer—much of it made possible through the kindness of Loughlin Society members.
“As the President of St. John’s, I share a similar wish as those parents of our accepted students,” said Dr. Gempesaw. “I want all of our students to succeed. I am optimistic that we will be able to help in this regard—but we must be strategic, focused, and determined.”
He added, “We cannot do it alone. We also need help from you, our alumni and supporters. Your achievements are a reflection of the last 148 years of St. John’s pride and tradition. You serve as role models for hundreds and thousands of future St. John’s students. As members of The Loughlin Society, you show your Vincentian spirit through your ongoing generosity.”
“Tonight is the time when the University gets to say ‘thank you’ to our most generous and loyal donors,” said Christian P. Vaupel, Ed.D., Vice President for Advancement and University Relations. “Your exceptional support directly impacts what we do at St. John’s every day. Without your help, we would simply be unable to fulfill our commitment to the students who have placed their future in our hands.”
Student speaker Catherine Felle, a senior majoring in Management and a member of the President’s Society, the University’s highest honor society, discussed how the support of Loughlin members has directly impacted her student experience at St. John’s. Catherine was accepted into the Catholic Scholars Program, which awards $5,000 each year for four years of study. “The program, one of the many student-centered programs made possible through the generosity of members of The Loughlin Society, afforded me the opportunity to receive a private, Catholic education, and was ultimately the determining factor in choosing this University,” she said.
Michael P. Stafford ’67Ed, ’72L has been a Loughlin member for many years. “Over time, you build loyalty and relationships. I worked at St. John’s for a number of years, and I continue to offer my assistance because I was supported and encouraged. The University is very special to me, and I will always stay connected.”
“I remember how generous St. John’s was to me while I was there,” said Peter J. McGuinness ’81SVC, ’84L, who noted he is the child of an immigrant to the United States. “I am a beneficiary of the Vincentians’ encouragement of the children of immigrants to receive a college education, and part of my return is to contribute to the school in the best way I can.”
Kathleen La Vache ’74Ed won a Regents Scholarship that enabled her to attend St. John’s, and worked while she was a student. In the intervening years since graduation, she became more involved with alma mater. “Since I left, I started attending Mass at St. Thomas More Church, and I have become involved with the music group. I have done Midnight Runs. I realize now how generous the University is to students, and since I consider St. John’s to be my parish, I should be supporting it.”
As he concluded his remarks, Dr. Vaupel stressed, “Together, we are making a difference for our students today, so that they can go forth and make a difference in our world tomorrow.”