University of Scranton President’s Business Council Award Dinner Surpasses $1.1 Million Fundraising Goal

Oct 14, 2015

Frank Pearn is pictured with his wife and children at the PBC’s 14th Annual Award Dinner, which raised more than $1.1 million to support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. From left are, Matthew, Brian (a senior at The University of Scranton), Frank Pearn, Suzanne, Jordan and Stephen.

The University of Scranton’s President’s Business Council (PBC) honored alumnus Francis J. Pearn ’83, P’16 with the President’s Medal at the 14th Annual Award Dinner which also raised more than $1.1 million. Proceeds from the black-tie gala, which was held at The Pierre Hotel in New York City, support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Through its 14 years, the PBC has generated more than $12 million for the scholarship fund.

Presidential Scholarships are four-year, full-tuition scholarships awarded to incoming freshmen with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement.

The President’s Medal recognizes recipients for excellence in their fields and extraordinary compassion for others.

(Photo above) University of Scranton alumnus Francis J. Pearn, managing director and chief administrative officer of global compliance at JPMorgan Chase and Co., is presented with the President’s Medal at the University’s President’s Business Council (PBC) Award Dinner at The Pierre Hotel in New York City. From left, are University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., Pearn and Thomas O’Brien ’86, P’19, chair of the PBC and University Trustee.

“We come together tonight to recognize our good friend Frank Pearn for all he has done to advance the Catholic and Jesuit mission of The University of Scranton,” said University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. at the Oct. 8 award dinner, which was attended by more than 550 guests.

During a toast to his father, Brian Pearn, a senior at The University of Scranton, saluted his father for “being an example of a person who puts his love of family, his faith and his commitment into action and inspires us all.”

In addition to the fundraising goal for the event, alumni and friends of the University were encouraged to pledge to support a number of student engagement opportunities. The University received more than 50 pledges to engagement opportunities that included offers to mentor Scranton students, host small group dinners specific to career interests, support student scholarship/financial aid and other initiatives.

“Tonight is also a celebration of our students,” said Father Quinn. “While we are proud of their many professional achievements, we are equally proud of the kinds of people whom they become.”

Father Quinn said Scranton graduates not only “enjoy successful careers in medicine, education, business, public service and science,” but also represent “the University at its best, as ethical and compassionate citizens of the world, who are committed to being men and women of faith with and for others.”

Two members of the University’s Class of 2016 spoke on behalf of the Presidential Scholars at the dinner, and echoed Father Quinn’s sentiment.

(Photo above) Two members of the University’s Class of 2016 spoke on behalf of the Presidential Scholars at the black-tie gala attended by more than 550 alumni and friends of Scranton. From left, are: Presidential Scholars Ralph Petagna Jr., Robbinsville, New Jersey, an accounting major and member of the Business Leadership Honors Program; and Krista Ziegler, Old Bethpage, New York, an exercise science major, who plans to pursue Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Scranton, and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

“As Scranton students, we’ve always been challenged – whether it is in the classroom, in service, in athletics, in the workplace – we’re always discovering more about ourselves,” said Krista Ziegler ’16 of Old Bethpage, New York, an exercise science major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

“We are going in the world to make a difference. No one works harder than a Scranton student and a Scranton graduate. Thank you for the opportunities you have provided to us, and hundreds of other students,” said Ralph Petagna Jr. ’16 of Robbinsville, New Jersey, an accounting major and member of the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program.

Pearn, managing director and chief administrative officer of global compliance at JPMorgan Chase and Co., graduated from the University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He joined Pricewaterhouse in New York City after graduation and went on to earn his licensure as a certified public accountant (CPA). He moved to J.P. Morgan in 1990. During the next 10 years with the firm, he held a number of financial management positions including three years as the controller and head of operations of the Milan, Italy, branch.

In 2001, Pearn joined Banc of America Securities, a subsidiary of Bank of America. Over a five-year period with Banc of America Securities, he held several leadership positions including chief operations officer for the corporate and investment bank and global markets divisions, chief financial officer for the investment banking division, and a member of the management operating committee. Prior to rejoining JPMorgan Chase and Co., Pearn was the chief administrative officer of the mergers and acquisitions division of Lehman Brothers and the chief financial officer of the global equities division at Barclays Capital.

Pearn returned to JPMorgan Chase and Co. in 2009 as the chief financial officer of global investment banking and sales and was responsible for the effective financial and risk management of the mergers and acquisitions and capital markets origination businesses located in the major financial markets of the world. He relocated to London for two years as the chief financial officer for banking, risk and the global corporate bank and chief financial officer for JPMorgan Europe, Middle East and Africa. During his tenure in London, Pearn oversaw the relocation of 8,000 employees into the company’s new European headquarters in the Canary Wharf section.

A native of Pearl River, New York, Pearn completed his nine-year tenure as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in May. He and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Garden City, New York. They have four children: Matthew, Stephen, Brian ’16 and Jordan. Pearn’s brother, James, is a University alumnus of the Class of 1978.

The co-chairs for the award dinner were Paul K. Stimpfl ’83, executive vice president at Wells Fargo Capital Finance in Santa Monica, California, and Kristen Sarisky Williams ’92, global head of campus recruiting at Blackstone in New York City.

(Photo above) Presidential Scholars of the University’s Class of 2016 attended the PBC’s 14th Annual Award Dinner at The Pierre. Front row, from left, are: Alison Gohn, Rocky Point, New York, a nursing major; Margaret Capooci, Jessup, an environmental science major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Julie Dragonetti, Monroe, Connecticut, a counseling and human services, Hispanic studies double major; Katherine Fields, Yardley, an occupational therapy major; Jessica Lavery, Bronx, New York, a biology and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the University’s Honors Program; Sarah Chapin, Yardley, a neuroscience major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the University’s Honors Program; Cecilia Strauch, Factoryville, a biology and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; and Tricia Leavy, North Bellmore, New York, a nursing major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Standing are: Shayne Wierbowski, Owego, New York, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and computer science double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the University’s Honors Program, John Clark, Scranton, a finance, chemistry-business, and accounting triple major; Daniel Clark Jr. Scranton, a mathematics and accounting double major; Marisa Riley, Haymarket, Virginia, a neuroscience and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Andrew Hill, Harleysville, a nursing major; Corey Wasilnak, Endwell, New York, a biology major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Christopher Musto, Jenkins Township, a biology major; and Christopher Kilner, Potomac, Maryland, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, environmental science and philosophy triple major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, who is also the recipient of a Goldwater Scholarship. Absent from the photo are: Norman Frederick Jr., Pittston, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biomathematics double major; Ralph Petagna Jr., Robbinsville, New Jersey, an accounting major and member of the Business Leadership Honors Program; and Krista Ziegler, Old Bethpage, New York, an exercise science major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.
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