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.