Tapas and the Tango Beat Flavor Alumni Gathering

Members of The McCallen and Loughlin Societies, joined by students, professors, and friends of St. John’s University, enjoyed a taste of Argentinean culture at the Romance of Spanish Food and Wine event on Saturday, February 3.

The gathering at the Queens Theatre, organized by the University’s Office of Gift Planning, featured a reception and a performance by the world-touring Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires. Five couples, accompanied by a Latin crooner and small music ensemble, filled the stage with whirling and acrobatic dance routines.

The reception in the theatre’s Cabaret room, festooned with the colors of Argentina, featured authentic tapas and wine. Mario Mercado, caterer, and his family took attendees through a culinary tutorial of delicacies and small desserts called alfajorcitos and masas finas.

The Latin theme drew approval from Marilyn A. Verna ’66Ed, ’96Ed.D. and Elaine Verna ’54CBA, members of The McCallen Society. “I do not eat international food very often, so it is nice to try this cuisine,” Ms. Verna said.

Douglas Cantelmo, an Adjunct Professor in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who teaches study abroad and Discover New York courses, spoke about his own unique experience in Argentina. “When my wife and I were thinking about where to spend our honeymoon, we wanted to go somewhere a little bit warmer than it was here in New York,” Prof. Cantelmo said. “We were in Argentina for three weeks, and I can safely say [although] Italy holds the number one place in my heart, Argentina definitely is right up there at number two.”

He also mentioned that one of St. John’s study abroad programs will include Argentina this summer. “Whether it is Argentina, Italy, France, or Japan, St. John’s has really made huge strides with its Global Studies program offerings,” Prof. Cantelmo said. “We are ranked 27th place nationwide in study abroad participation among doctorate-granting American universities, according to the Institute of International Education. This is a huge accomplishment—and now other universities are coming to us to ask how we do things.”

Kimberly Alvarez, a junior Criminal Justice major with a concentration in Forensic Psychology, is a member of a new campus Latin dance group, Sensacion Dance Team. “We are a Latin dance team, Latin-based but not Latin-exclusive, and our goal is primarily to indulge in the Latin culture,” Kimberly said. “We have not yet touched upon tango, but we are very excited to be here tonight and maybe get some ideas.”

She announced the dance group is discussing the possibility of organizing a dance class for members of  The McCallen and Loughlin Societies and other alumni. The idea drew enthusiastic applause.

Susan M. Damiani ’87CBA, Director of The McCallen Society, and Stacey Varghese ’99C, Associate Director of The Loughlin Society, explained how these societies give St. John’s the ability to grow as a University and offer students financial aid. “Throughout the year I plan different types of events for our donors, and at certain times I open it up to our general alumni so they get to see how much fun it is to be a supporter of St. John’s University,” Ms. Damiani said.

Guests were also introduced to Taryn Sacramone, Executive Director of the Queens Theatre. “We could not do what we do anywhere else. We are all about reflecting this diverse borough that we love so much,” she said. “A special thank you to Susan for connecting us to so many friends. I have a niece that is currently at St. John’s and a nephew who graduated last year, so I am a big fan on many, many levels.”

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