October 26, 2022
A gathering of many of the most generous supporters of St. John’s University was held in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, October 19, when nearly 80 people attended The Founders Society Induction Ceremony and Dinner.
The Founders Society, St. John’s most prestigious donor recognition society, celebrates those individuals and organizations who have made lifetime gifts and pledges to the University totaling at least one million dollars.
The event, which featured remarks by St. John’s President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.; University officials; William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, Chair of the Board of Trustees; and benefactors, gave powerful witness to the power and promise of a St. John’s education.
Fr. Shanley set the tone for the celebratory evening, sharing during the ceremony that whenever he is asked if he enjoys fundraising, he replies in the affirmative. “I get to meet incredibly generous people who have done extraordinary things in their lives,” he explained. “They want to give back—and it is that we celebrate and should encourage at St. John’s.”
“Through their generosity, members of The Founders Society have made a transformative impact on the lives of students and they are so vital to the ongoing success of St. John’s,” he continued. “Their giving is remarkable and inspirational.”
Including the new inductees, there are now 70 members of The Founders Society. The new members of The Founders Society inducted on October 20 include
- James W. Christmas ’70CBA, ’10HON and Eileen V. Christmas
- Robert F. Kalenka ’84CBA, ’91MBA and Corrine Kalenka
- John P. Langan (posthumously)
- Joseph A. Tarantino ’80CBA and Eileen A. Tarantino ’80CBA
- Douglas G. Vetter ’88C, ’91L (posthumously)
- Salvatore J. Zizza ’67UC, ’72MBA, ’07HON and Patty Zizza
Christian P. Vaupel, Ed.D., Vice President for Advancement and University Relations, addressed the guests and drew parallels between their philanthropy and the enduring Vincentian mission of St. John’s.
“The members of The Founders Society are truly exceptional individuals in so many ways. They have been incredibly successful in wonderfully diverse careers, and they’ve all made a commitment to use their talents to make a difference in the world,” he said.
“What makes them stand out is the reality that their lives are an unmistakable reflection of the spirit and values of St. Vincent de Paul that lie at the very heart of everything that we do at St. John’s.”
A common theme heard from each inductee was the lasting impact that St. John’s University had on their lives and how that serves as motivation for them to give back. James W. Christmas ’70CBA, ’10HON and Eileen V. Christmas have underwritten the University’s annual James and Eileen Christmas Business Plan Competition. Open to all St. John’s undergraduate and graduate students, the event encourages them to submit business plans judged by St. John’s faculty for monetary awards.
In accepting the honor, Mr. Christmas remarked, “As a student, St. John’s gave me a foundation and an education to succeed. For that, I owe the University a debt of gratitude. These days, I truly enjoy seeing and interacting with the innovative and entrepreneurial students we have on campus.”
After being recognized, and while standing alongside his wife Corrine, Mr. Kalenka, Corporate Vice President of Investor Communications Solutions Operations for Broadridge Financial Solutions and a Trustee of St. John’s, shared: “Corinne and I are honored to be included in this very prestigious group of exceptionally generous and caring people. We are also both thankful and fortunate to be in a position where we can share some of our financial resources with St. John’s. I look back fondly on the education I received at St. John’s that propelled me to succeed in business.”
As he formally and posthumously inducted John P. Langan into The Founders Society, Dr. Vaupel then recounted one of his generous demonstrations of lasting love. “In January 2020, the University was contacted by an attorney notifying us that St. John’s was the residuary beneficiary under Mr. Langan’s estate. When he declared his last will, John made provisions for St. John’s to receive funds to establish the Karen M. O’Keefe Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for female undergraduate students who pursue degrees in the areas of finance and accounting. John did this to honor the memory of his late wife, Karen M. O’Keefe, who earned a bachelor’s degree from our College of Business Administration (now The Peter J. Tobin College of Business) in 1976.”
“After thoughtful reflection, John felt that the best way to honor his love for Karen was through a gift to St. John’s,” he continued. “This extraordinary bequest came to more than seven million dollars. It is a remarkable and living tribute to the love between the married couple.”
Another Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protiviti Inc., Joseph A. Tarantino ’80CBA, and his wife Eileen A. Tarantino ’80CBA, were recognized for their passionate support of St. John’s students, Catholic education, and serving those most in need. The alumni couple consistently devote their time, talent, and philanthropy in support of scholarships, Red Storm athletics, capital projects, and the University’s highest priorities.
Mr. Tarantino described how he regularly returns to campus to interview and hire students. “It is like looking in a mirror,” he explained. “Our students today are a reflection of those of us who came before them, and that is why Eileen and I give back to St. John’s.”
The inspiring evening was made even more memorable due to a bittersweet presentation made for the late Douglas G. Vetter ’88C, ’91L. His award was accepted by several of Mr. Vetter’s siblings— Susan Burnett ’01Ed, Cathyanne Martin ’85CBA, and Richard Vetter ’86SVC—all graduates of St. John’s.
Joining IBM right out of St. John’s School of Law, for more than 15 years Mr. Vetter quickly rose through the ranks in its legal department. He moved to Apple Inc. in 2007 and ascended to become the company’s number-two lawyer. Along the way, he led a team of 125 lawyers who managed legal concerns for all Apple products, services, and marketing and advertising efforts.
Despite his powerful position, he regularly made time to meet, mentor, and support St. John’s Law students. He believed strongly in diversifying the legal profession, and he made a leadership gift to help the law school recruit and support Black students. As testament to his impact at Apple, the company recently made a one million dollar gift to support a scholarship in his name at the law school.
Salvatore J. Zizza ’67UC, ’72MBA, ’07HON and Patty Zizza were also recognized at the ceremony. At the age of 10, Mr. Zizza and his family came to the United States from Italy. The transition to New York was difficult; they had no relatives and his family did not speak English. By 13, he was negotiating family real estate opportunities when not working in a bingo hall or bowling alley or delivering food. He turned down a partial opportunity to play college soccer in Connecticut so he could attend St. John’s University in his Brooklyn neighborhood due to the generous scholarship he received.
The Zizzas’ commitment is all about supporting the Vincentian mission. They established the Zizza Family Scholarship, Partners for Student Success Fund, and the Zizza Tobin Professorship. Additionally, Mr. Zizza served on the Board of Governors and still serves on the President’s Dinner Committee and Real Estate Advisory Committee. For his contributions, the University recognized him with the President’s Medal, Spirit of Service Award, the Pietas Medal, and an honorary degree.
The celebratory evening featured heartfelt remarks from Board of Trustees Chair William J. Janetschek ’84CBA, ’17HON, retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. “Special people like you care so much about the University and make St. John’s the special place that it is today. You enable us to help the next generation of students.”