Hearts & Minds: The Saint Peter’s University Scholarship Celebration annually raises funds to support the University’s General Scholarship Fund and this year’s event on Friday, May 6, did just that, but in a new way. Members of the Saint Peter’s community gathered in The Duncan Family Sky Room for the first Hearts & Minds themed, “Monte Carlo Night.” Guests tried their luck on casino games, participated in a silent auction and enjoyed a martini bar and diverse dining options. Frank L. Fekete, CPA ’75 was presented with the Professional Achievement Award, and Toni Ann Turco ’86 was presented with the Service to the Community Award. The “Monte Carlo Night” proved to be a great success as the amount raised was nearly tripled compared to the last Hearts & Minds event.
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University, recognized the two honorees for taking chances and having faith – qualities that future students need to pursue their dreams.
Since 1984, Fekete has served as the managing partner of Mandel, Fekete and Bloom, CPAs, a certified public accounting firm located in Jersey City. He is involved in many organizations and serves on many boards, including the Board of Trustees for Saint Peter’s and John Cabot University, an American university located in Rome, Italy. During his acceptance speech, Fekete thanked his family, especially his mother-in-law for prompting him to pursue an education at Saint Peter’s. He took night classes, and soon built a future for himself and his family. “Saint Peter’s has given me more than I could ever give back,” he said.
Turco was honored with a Service to Community Award, because after a successful finance career, she decided to follow another passion, rescuing dogs. She founded Home for Good Dog Rescue, and has saved more than 4,000 dogs since 2010. A heartwarming video, including clips of Dr. Cornacchia with his adopted dog, delighted the audience. Turco said she is “living the Jesuit mission of men, women and dogs for others.”
Hearts & Minds celebrates integrity, leadership and service to others and proceeds from this annual event help deserving students have access to a quality Jesuit education—students such as Charles Weening ’16.
At the event, guests took a chance playing poker; alternatively, Weening took a chance on Saint Peter’s. Before coming to the University, Weening had his mind set on an alternate route. Since fourth grade, Weening dreamed of going to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and serving in the military. His dreams were about to come true when he was accepted, but soon after received a letter informing him that he was disqualified due to a medical condition. After contemplating college, he chose Saint Peter’s based on a generous financial aid award. “Although, I didn’t know it at the time, I was exactly where I was meant to be,” Weening said of his start at Saint Peter’s.
An album of photos from the evening is now available on Facebook and the Hearts & Minds Commemorative Journal is available here.
