Terrier Volume 75, Number 1 - Spring 2011 | Page 20

Who Gives?
John Dietl ’58

Laura Eisenzopf, Ph.D. ’00

Mr. Dietl, an Accounting major who
earned his MBA from the Fairleigh
Dickinson University Executive
Program, worked for 34 years for the
American Broadcasting Company as
a financial executive. He is now the
principal of a financial services firm.

Ms. Eisenzopf, a physical therapist for
the New York City Department of
Education and St. Mary’s Kids at
Roslyn, has contributed to the Annual
Fund every year since she graduated.
A volleyball player for the Terriers as
an undergraduate student, she coached
the SFC women’s volleyball team from
2005-2006 after earning a master’s
degree from D’Youville College in
Buffalo in 2003.
R e a s o n s f o r c h o o s i n g SFC :

Christina Ng ’11 with John F. Tully, Esq. ’67 and
John Dietl ’58 at Spring Commencement

St. Francis College offered me both an
athletic scholarship and a Presidential
Scholarship, fully covering tuition and
making it possible for me to pursue a master’s
degree and doctoral degree immediately
after graduating. This made my parents and
me very happy.

M e m o r i e s o f SFC :

W h y i t ’ s i m p o r ta n t to g i v e :

The unique balance between Business
courses and Theology and Philosophy courses
instilled in me a strong ethical background
that I applied to both my professional and
family lives. I remember the challenge I
felt with small classes to always be prepared
to participate.

It’s very important to give back so current
students can have the same opportunity
to achieve their goals. Sometimes recent
graduates think that to be meaningful,
a gift has to be in the hundreds or thousands.
A lot of small contributions made by a
number of people can make the same impact
as a large gift made by a single person.
If everyone from the class of 2000 were
to give $10, the price of a movie, or $20,
the cost of a pizza, together we could make
a big difference.

Reasons for giving:

On my last day as a student in May 1958,
I promised myself that someday I would
give back to the College in appreciation for
my excellent education. That day arrived in
2006 when my late wife, Marge, and I had
the opportunity to create an endowed
scholarship for a deserving Accounting
student. This is one of my proudest accomplishments and best investments I have ever
made. It was particularly gratifying to see
Christina Ng , who received the Marge & John
’58 Dietl Scholarship graduate in May with a
combined B.S./M.S. degree in Accounting.
I’m overjoyed that in “giving back” to
St. Francis College I am helping to make
the world a better place for years to come.

1 8   |   S t. F rancis C o lle g e Terrier  S prin g 2 0 1 1

Dr. Laura L.
Eisenzopf PT,
DPT, MS with
husband Edwin
Rahfield at their
June 6, 2009
wedding.

Mrs. Michael P.
DeBlasio and
Deirdre-Noel Engels

Deirdre-Noel Engels and
Mrs. Michael P. DeBlasio
The daughter of the late Michael P.
DeBlasio ’58 and his widow Kathleen,

reflect on their family’s ties to St.
Francis College. Mr. DeBlasio, who
served on the College’s board of
trustees from 1999 until his death in
2004 was committed to “giving back”
to St. Francis College in terms of both
service and financial support.
I n f l u e n c e o f t h e St . F r a n c i s
C o l l e g e e xp e r i e n c e :

My father spoke often about his personal
connection to the College, which developed
through friendships that stood the test of
time and of his academic experience because
he believed firmly that he was thoroughly
prepared for a career in accounting.
How this endures:

This connection was never more evident for
my mother and I then when we attended the
annual Memorial Mass, which honors those
from the St. Francis community who have
passed away. Experiencing the warmth and
community spirit at that special event made
me understand what my dad shared with us
about the College.
W ay s t o “ g i v e b a c k ” :

My dad took to heart the Franciscan notion
of giving back, prompting his service on
the board of trustees as well as inspiring
him to endow a scholarship in the memory
of his parents. He was so happy to receive
a nice note from the student who received
the scholarship; there was nothing more
rewarding to him than seeing someone else
begin to realize her dreams.