Eileen and Joseph Tarantino, Brother Alfred Smith C.M., Valerie and Gerard Sodano (posthumously) and UnitedHealthcare to be honored
October 25, 2016
St. John’s University will hold its 19th Annual President’s Dinner on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at The Waldorf~Astoria in New York City. St. John’s President Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., and his wife, Clavel Gempesaw, Ph.D., will host the University’s premier fundraising event of the year. WNBC-TV News 4 New York Sports Anchor Bruce Beck ‘09HON will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The President’s Dinner raises revenue each year to assist the university’s scholarship fund which directly benefits St. John’s most deserving students. This year, financial support for the President’s Dinner is expected to exceed the $30 million mark in overall scholarship monies raised since the inception of this signature event in 1998.
The event honors St. John’s Spirit of Service Awardees. These exceptional individuals have lived their lives in accordance with the Vincentian philosophy of caring and concern for others following in the path of St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers.
This year’s honorees include: Eileen ‘80CBA and Joseph Tarantino ‘80CBA, President and CEO of Protiviti, Brother Alfred Smith, C.M., Founder and Director of Operations, Inn Dwelling, and Valerie ‘49CBA and Gerard Sodano ‘49CBA, posthumously, and UnitedHealthcare. Jeff Alter ‘84CBA, ‘88MBA, CEO, UnitedHealthcare – Commercial Group, will accept the Spirit of Service Award on behalf of his company.
“The Catholic and Vincentian values that anchor this University are highlighted at every President’s Dinner through the individuals and organizations we honor with the Spirit of Service Award,” said Dr. Gempesaw. “We celebrate this year’s awardees, Eileen and Joseph Tarantino, Brother Alfred Smith, and Valerie and Gerard Sodano (posthumously), and UnitedHealthcare for their willingness to embrace St. Vincent de Paul’s message of care and compassion along with their outstanding service in the community.”
Many past Spirit of Service Award honorees will be in attendance to celebrate with Dr. Gempesaw and the St. John’s community.
For more information visit the event website at www.sjupresidentsdinner.org.