Honoring Alumni Excellence

As a partner of the Fenway Sports Group, owners of the Boston Red Sox, and partner of Solex Capital Management, Steve Somers’ ’82 impressive career path has been defined by his strong work ethic and humble nature.

During his time at St. Joseph’s, Mr. Somers was a member of the men’s basketball team and met his wife, Sharon, a fellow undergraduate student. After graduating in 1982 with a B.S. in Chemistry, he went on to earn an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from St. John’s University. He then bought Vigon International, a flavor and fragrance company, which under his leadership, became one of the industry’s fastest growing companies and a leader in the manufacturing of high-quality flavor and fragrance ingredients.

Mr. Somers’ generosity and commitment to St. Joseph’s have left an indelible mark on the University. With a long history of philanthropic giving, his recent $1 million gift has established endowed student scholarships for the Brooklyn Campus ACES program, as well as the nursing programs on both the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses.

“Over the last 42 years since I graduated from St. Joseph’s, I’ve been able to do things that I never even imagined I’d be able to do,” said Mr. Somers. “As I look back on the impact that St. Joe’s had on me, I realize it’s not just the impact of teaching me about chemistry but also teaching me about life.”

Mik Larson, associate dean for international students and English language programs, praised Mr. Somers’ humility and the profound impact he has had on students. “He is … a humble person who draws a lot on the people who have influenced him and taught him. Steve has helped numerous students at SJNY who may not have been able to attend a private institution without his assistance,” said Larson.

A history major during her time at St. Joseph’s, Dr. Mary B. Mulvihill ’64 was an active member of the University community, serving in student government and as class president during her senior year. After graduating in 1964, she went on to earn an MBA and Ed.D. from Fordham University. Before her retirement, Dr. Mulvihill’s impressive career included serving as the executive director of nonprofit organizations like the Grace Institute and Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, where she made a profound difference in the lives of marginalized individuals.

“If you look at her resume, it’s just a rich reflection of a woman who has taken her many, many talents and put them into the service of others,” said S. Elizabeth Hill ’64, C.S.J., former president of SJNY.

In recent years, Dr. Mulvihill has dedicated herself to Seniors Taking Action, a group that writes thousands of postcards and letters, and makes get-out-the-vote phone calls to support progressive candidates and causes across the country.

“I think that you can make things better if you have a good group of people working with you and they want to help you do that,” Dr. Mulvihill said. “Even if you fail at it, you need to have people around you who really support you.”

Reflecting on her life’s work, Dr. Mulvihill emphasized the importance of authenticity. “When you reflect back on your life, ‘To be, not to seem’ is a very important motto and I hope everyone takes it seriously because you have a much better life if you live it that way.”

A passionate educator and community advocate, Dylan Larkin ’16 has made significant strides, becoming the youngest assistant school principal in District 20 in 2023. As an assistant principal at Edward B. Shallow Junior High School in Brooklyn, he plays a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities for his school’s diverse student population, focusing on career education initiatives that connect students with professionals from over 60 fields.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Larkin served as a school counselor and English teacher at Edward B. Shallow for a combined five years. Deeply committed to fostering strong relationships, he said that he pushes to break down barriers between students, parents and educators. His leadership philosophy places an emphasis on ensuring that all voices in the school community are heard and valued.

“I pride myself on being available and not always being an authoritative figure, but more like someone who is there to assist,” said Mr. Larkin, who earned a bachelor’s degree in adolescence education from the Brooklyn Campus.

“Through my professors at St. Joseph’s I was able to receive exposure to so many different ways to lead in education. That’s where I was able to really hone in on leadership skills,” added Mr. Larkin, who has also been inspired by his mother Elaine, a teacher in New York City schools for over 30 years.

Edward B. Shallow is a Title I school, where 98 percent of the children come from households living below the poverty line, he said. Recognizing the unique challenges his students face, Mr. Larkin emphasizes the importance of understanding their backgrounds.

“Meeting them where they are is important, because if you do that, then they realize that there’s a sense of empathy there that kind of helps students feel comfortable, and makes teachers feel comfortable in owning their skills and addressing their needs,” he said.

St. Joseph’s University alumnae and business partners Madeline Romano ’09 and Mary Vitale ’10 are both speech pathologists who transformed their expertise into Beyond Play, a thriving business on Staten Island.

Their business journey began in 2021, Ms. Romano explained. “We started as the Speech Chicks,” she said. “And we just did parent and me classes in the park. And then I guess you could say we ‘legitimized’ ourselves in January of 2022.”

Ms. Vitale said their idea stemmed from personal experience. “We had newborn babies, and we were kind of looking for something to transition our careers,” she said. “We loved what we did as speech pathologists, but we wanted to be a little closer to home, be around for our families.”

Beyond Play offers classes focusing on language development and socialization.

“It’s really a place where all children can benefit from a real language-rich environment,” Ms. Vitale said. “So it’s for all children. Some children come to us who have speech delays, some don’t have speech delays.”

Both women credit St. Joseph’s for instilling a sense of community during their years on campus. “It was one of the main reasons I chose to go to St. Joseph’s,” Ms. Romano said.

“We love what we do, and it’s just so nice that… our alma mater recognizes what we’re doing. We’re just so excited and honored, and it just feels amazing,” Ms. Vitale said.

Glenn Kubik ’99, a dedicated educator and sports enthusiast, embodies the spirit of lifelong learning and community engagement. The 1998 valedictorian of the Long Island Campus, the Ronkonkoma resident has spent over two decades shaping young minds as a 7th-grade math teacher in the Northport-East Northport school district.

Mr. Kubik’s journey to math education was unconventional. Initially pursuing journalism at Suffolk County Community College, he discovered his true calling during his first semester at St. Joseph’s. Inspired by Professor Barbara Thorpe, he pivoted from English to mathematics, a decision that would define his career.

In the classroom, Mr. Kubik uses his passion for sports as a powerful teaching tool. He seamlessly weaves sports history and English lessons into math problems, keeping students engaged and on their toes.

“I love the age,” he said of his seventh-grade students. “There’s something about the 7th grader that you can joke around with… it’s just a fun age. You can make such an impression on them.”

His impact extends far beyond the curriculum, with over 40 graduating seniors inviting him to their scholarship ceremonies as “the” educator who made a significant difference in their academic lives. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” Mr. Kubik said, reflecting on these invitations.

Outside of teaching, Mr. Kubik’s love for sports has led to a unique side career. For seven years, he has worked with sports memorabilia companies, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mike Tyson, Pete Rose, the 1986 Mets and other legendary athletes. The experience allows him to bring real-world stories and inspiration back to his students.

Mr. Kubik’s dedication to his students and community is evident in his quiet acts of kindness. His humility and impact on others have earned him the prestigious Lifetime of Leading Award from his alma mater.

In her role as executive director at The Healing Center in Brooklyn, Noeline Maldonado ’05 works with families affected by domestic violence. The Brooklyn Campus graduate reflected on her career and her prolonged but rewarding educational journey at SJNY, emphasizing how the support she received from the institution helped her balance life’s challenges with her academic goals.

“When I was going through those transitions in my life, St. Joseph’s gave me the space and time to grow,” said Ms. Maldonado, who first enrolled at St. Joseph’s in 1993. “They understood that I needed flexibility, and they were always there when I was ready to keep going. My education has been so important to me … everything that I learned in school, coupled with my life experiences, has prepared me for this season of my life.”

At The Healing Center, the Bay Ridge resident works tirelessly with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, offering resources, counseling and support. “Helping individuals and families heal from trauma is a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience,” she explained. Her dedication to social justice and healing has been a hallmark of her professional life, and this recognition reflects her commitment to making positive impacts in the lives of those she serves.

“It’s an honor, truly—to be recognized for something that brings me so much fulfillment is a gift in itself,” she said of being recognized with such an important award by her alma mater.

The Excellence in Social Impact Award, she said, is a reminder of “the importance of perseverance” and the positive impact that one person can have on an entire community.

“It’s not just me that’s being recognized, but it’s also a platform to be able to share the work that we’re doing in the community and how special The Healing Center is,” she said.