St. John’s University announced on Apr. 22 that its annual Public Interest Auction, organized by the DiMartino/Smith Public Interest Center, raised $119,120 to support public interest programming at St. John’s Law School.
The event marks a significant milestone as it coincides with the law school’s 100th anniversary, the auction’s 30th year, and the center’s 15th anniversary. The funds will help sustain various initiatives including fellowships and programs designed to encourage students to pursue careers in public service.
Jeanne Ortiz-Ortiz, Director of the DiMartino/Smith Public Interest Center, said, “We formed the Committee to support the in-person auction and a silent auction held earlier in the year at the offices of Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP, through the generosity of firm partners Eric Belfi ’95 and Jonathan Gardner ’90.” Ortiz-Ortiz added that committee members met monthly to contribute ideas and donations while also serving as ambassadors for public interest work at St. John’s Law.
Christopher J. Byrne ’21 described his participation on this year’s Alumni Auction Committee as meaningful: “I established the Lawrence Byrne Public Interest Fellowship in memory of my dad… Giving back to the community, as he did, is a huge honor for me… There is no better career than one where you serve the public, and the fellowships facilitated by the auctions ensure that students can do that vitally important work.” Jennifer Gilroy Ruiz ’92 said she was grateful for her education at St. John’s Law and happy to help current students pursue careers in public service: “No matter what path your career has taken… supporting the Law School’s public interest initiatives will enrich your experience as an attorney… It’s an opportunity to strengthen the future of our profession.”
St. John’s University supports multicultural initiatives locally and globally through its centers and institutes according to its official website. The university operates campuses in Queens and Manhattan along with international sites in Rome, Paris, and Limerick according to its official website. It is affiliated with both Catholic traditions and Vincentian values according to its official website, offering more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools according to its official website.
Rev. Brian J. Shanley serves as president of St. John’s University according to its official website. As a Catholic institution dedicated to liberal arts education according to its official website, St. John’s continues efforts toward fostering community engagement through such fundraising events.
