McCallen Society Members Have a “Tiffany Moment”

Dawn is breaking as a taxi pulls up to Tiffany's at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan. A slender, beautiful young woman, elegantly dressed in a black dress with strings of pearls around her neck, steps out, looks into the famed jeweler's window, and does a New York thing—she takes a coffee cup and a cruller from a paper bag and begins to eat.

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Watching this beautifully choreographed scene are members of The McCallen Society, who went on a cultural adventure to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 11. They sit back with anticipation as the New York Philharmonic orchestra plays the movie score while the iconic film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, is projected on a large screen. And, of course, the tone is set by the haunting and melodious “Moon River.”

This was the final event of the academic year organized by the Office of Gift Planning. Before the show, McCallen members gathered at nearby Gabriel's Bar and Restaurant, and Susan M. Damiani ’87CBA, Director of the Office of Gift Planning and The McCallen Society, thanked the group for their loyalty. There was a poignant moment at the reception when she toasted Mary E. Kristensen '63Ed. Ms. Kristensen and her late husband went to see Breakfast at Tiffany's on their first date.

George Barbera, Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Design, gave a brief lesson on the musical score to the 1961 movie, which starred Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. He explained how the Oscar-winning “Moon River,” also a 1962 Grammy winner, over the years lent itself to different versions in addition to vocals, such as harmonica and strings-only.

That resonated with Stacy Ungar, a member of The Loughlin Society who praised the live-scored movie.“It was amazing to see how the live music made the movie come alive. It gave the show almost a 3-D effect." Ms. Ungar's husband, Robert Ungar '87L, serves on the Board of Directors of St. John's School of Law, and their oldest son is a law school student.

Hope and John P. Della Ratta '59L were also enthused about the evening. "We enjoy every event we come to,” they said. “It's wonderful."

For more news, as well as live coverage of our events, follow the University’s social media accounts. You can find us on Facebook at themccallensociety and stjohnsalumni, on Instagram at stjohnsalumni and on Twitter @stjohnsalumni.

To learn more about becoming a member of The McCallen Society and establishing your legacy through planned gifts to St. John’s, please contact Susan M. Damiani, Director of Gift Planning and The McCallen Society, at 718-990-7562 or [email protected], or visit The McCallen Society webpage.