Farewell
Joan Wollman to Retire in July 2016
We asked a few members of the Prep community who have worked with Joan to share their thoughts .
From John Neary ’ 87 , former Chairman of the Board of Trustees , serving on the Board from 2005-2014 : There are many ways to describe Joan Wollman . As the friendly face of our school for generations of alumni , as a Fordham prep parent , devoted mother of two and grandmother of four , as the girl from Sherman Avenue in good Shepherd parish . But i always think of Joan as a devoted co-worker .
Director of Annual giving Joan Wollman has announced that she will retire in July . When asked what she was going to do , Joan said : “ Quoting David Bowie – ‘ i don ' t know where i ' m going from here , but i promise it won ' t be boring !’ But the first thing i will do is cruise to Alaska , and then see what happens from there . Life can be full of surprises ."
Joan started working at the prep in January of 1981 , and has been a part of the fundraising efforts for her entire 36-year prep career . What started as a support position grew over the years until she worked her way up to become Director of Annual giving in 2005 . Joan always took great pride in her work , and her meticulous attention to detail made her a dependable contact for co-workers and for many donors at the prep . Whether making her Annual Fund calls or seeing people at various events , Joan was a friendly face who was always a welcoming presence .
A tremendous asset to the prep over the years , we will miss Joan , and wish her a joyful retirement , a chance to spend more time with her children , Bill ’ 85 and Jeanine , and her grandchildren , Billy , James , Liberty and Hope , and the rest of her family .
During the construction of the Leonard Theater in the early 1990s , my first post-college job was fundraising with the Fordham prep Development team . Joan trained me on the mechanics of development with great patience .
no question was too remedial . She discussed customized service — certain alumni were “ call , no letter .” Others were “ letter , neVer call !” i studied her method of communicating with the supporters of Fordham prep . She encouraged new ideas for the office . Joan insisted that i take graduate courses at the university .
After the full school year at Fordham prep , Wall Street called . Over the next two decades , i had the honor of working alongside thousands of top-quality colleagues in finance .
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Joan ’ s welcome for me into the professional world informed my interactions with them , especially as i moved from “ trainee ” to “ mentor .” i have always appreciated her training for this foundation . For your approach to the job and for so many other things you have done for Fordham prep — thank you so much , Joan .