Remarks - Dedication of the John Hannon Jr.
'44 Room
Daniel F. Sullivan— February 21, 2004
Almost three years ago now we began some discussions with Vivien
Hannon about where and how we might recognize John's years and years
of outstanding service and trusteeship at St. Lawrence. John and
Vivien were extraordinarily generous donors to St. Lawrence over
the years, but John always insisted that the gifts be unrestricted—to
be used for whatever the board and the University's leadership thought
was the best use. He absolutely did not want any specific named recognition
for that generosity anywhere.
So I don't know if John will roll over in his grave today at our
abject defiance of his wishes, but John, let me say: “Tough
darts. We're going to do it anyway!”
We've got a number of members of John's family and special guests
with us today for this dedication of John's room and I'd like to
introduce them now: First is Viven Hannon '43; also son Bruce and
his wife Jane Hannon, both members of the St. Lawrence Class of 1969;
daughter Betsy Hannon Reichard and her husband Tom; daughter Christine
Hannon; John's brother Jim Hannon and his wife Pat, both of the Class
of 1951, and their daughter Jennifer Hannon Kramer and her husband,
Ken Kramer ; President Emeritus and Trustee Emeritus
Frank Piskor; and representing the Viebranz family, grandson Conor
Welch, St. Lawrence Class of 2007. Al and Elaine Viebranz desperately
wanted to be with us for this dedication, but as you know, Al is
not well, and Conor brings their spirit to us today.
John Hannon was a giant of a Laurentian, and not just because he
was tall. His career in banking culminated in the presidency from
1975 until 1983 of Bankers Trust in New York . During his time at
Bankers Trust he helped literally hundreds of young alumni get a
start on their careers. He started and then watched over a huge flock
of talented alumni who went on to do great things all over the banking
and finance industry because John gave them their start and then
continued to mentor and support them.
Elected a St. Lawrence trustee in 1968, he was chairman of the board
from 1983-1988. Others here who served as trustees with John, and
under John's leadership, may want to say some things about John as
well, in a moment. As a student, John was a major campus leader:
he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, Thelmo, ODK, government honorary,
business manager of the Gridiron, managing editor and sports
editor of The Hill News , radio workshop, “L” Club,
and the basketball and baseball teams. He received an honorary doctorate
from St. Lawrence in 1989, the year he became an emeritus trustee,
and he is also a member of the athletic hall of fame.
Why this room as the place for John's name to be
engraved on campus? This room is where the key governance groups
of the University meet: the Board of Trustees, Thelmo, Faculty Council
and others. John's life and career at St. Lawrence epitomize leadership
within the context of our system of shared governance. So John, this
room's for you—dedicated
in your memory on this day, the 21 st of February, 2004 , with heartfelt
thanks, and with deep respect and admiration for all you did for
St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence graduates over a lifetime of outstanding
service and leadership.
