St. John's University dedicated the Dr. Andrew J. Bartilucci Center (the Education Center formerly owned by Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers) in honor of its namesake, Dean Emeritus of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, on Saturday, June 16 in Fresh Meadows. The outdoor event at the steps of the 40,000 square foot facility (located at 175-05 Horace Harding Expressway) was attended by Dr. Bartilucci, his immediate family, close friends and professional colleagues.

Dr. and Mrs. Bartilucci have been parishioners of St. Anne's in Garden City for over 50 years. Their daughters, Mrs. Thomas Matteini and Mrs. James Melone reside in Garden City and one daughter, Mrs. Thomas Earnest resides; in LaPlata, Maryland. They have seven grandchildren.

Julia A. Upton, RSM, Ph.D., Provost of St. John's University gave the welcome to begin the ceremony then turned the microphone over to Robert A. Mangione, R.Ph., Ed.D., current Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions - and more importantly a student of Dr. Bartilucci's - who candidly spoke of his personal reflections about his mentor and dear friend.

"I have decided to frame my comments within the context of the St. John's University core values. As we all knows its core values are truth, love, respect, opportunity, excellence and service. And, as we also know, these core values are exemplified by Dr. Andrew J. Bartilucci," stated Mangione. "Dean Bartilucci, please be assured that the St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions will always be your college and that we will continue to do all that we can to make you proud."

Dr. Bartilucci, touched by the festivities, was rendered speechless during his heartfelt remarks.

"I stand before you finding it hard to believe what is happening," said Dr. Bartilucci at Saturday's ceremony. "I am so grateful to God for the satisfying direction my professional life has taken, it being memorialized in this stone and brick edifice. Who would have thought when I was asked to join St. John's University that it would culminate in this. God bless and thank you all for sharing in this special day with me."

Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John's University concluded the ceremony with brief remarks and officially dedicated and blessed the facility with the help of Rev. Joseph V. Daly, Assistant to the President at St. John's.

"Andy very quickly became my first appointment when I became president (in 1989) and one of the first things I did was ask him to be Dean of St. John's College. He agreed but told me he was going to retire and his only regret was that he didn't have at least 10 years to spend working with me to see what we could do here at St. John's. It's now been 18 years," Rev. Harrington, C.M. said jokingly. "I can honestly say that there has been no major decision in these past 18 years that Andy has not been a part of. Without Andy's support and wisdom there is no way that I would still be president today, much less have had the success we've been able to have as an administration."

Dr. Bartilucci's career at St. John's began as a student in 1940. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Dr. Bartilucci returned to receive his master's degree from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. St. John's came calling shortly thereafter and he has never left having touched the University in many different capacities, most notably as dean, executive vice president to the University and special assistant to the president for several years. His tenure as a faculty member and dean spanned more than 34 years. In his profession, Dr. Bartilucci has also been a member of the New York State Board of Pharmacy, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and a variety of other organizations.

The Andrew J. Bartilucci Center will offer degree programs that include: a B.S. four-year Physician's Assistant degree (first two years at St. John's Queens campus, and two years at the Bartilucci Center and affiliated hospitals and clinics); a B.S. four-year Medical Technology degree (first three-years at St. John's Queens campus, fourth year at the Bartilucci Center and affiliated hospitals) and a B.S. four-year Pathologist Assistant degree program (first three-years at St. John's Queens campus, the final year at affiliated hospitals). Independent students who were enrolled at Saint Vincent's and students enrolled from other colleges will continue their studies at the Bartilucci Center. The Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers Nursing School is not included with the St. John's acquisition. St. John's University acquired the facility earlier this year on March 2, 2007.