10/1 - The University of Scranton President's Business Council Inaugural Dinner Aids Scholarship Fund

The University of Scranton's President's Business Council will host a gala inaugural dinner at The Pierre Hotel in New York City on October 10. About 400 will attend the black-tie event that will include the awarding of the first President's Medal to University of Scranton alumnus Gerard R. Roche, senior chairman of the international search firm Heidrick and Struggles, Inc.

The President's Business Council was formed nearly two years ago by a prominent group of metropolitan New York-based alumni. The council is chaired by Christopher M. "Kip" Condron, president and chief executive officer, AXA Financial, Inc., who is also serving as chair of the inaugural dinner.

"The council keeps alumni from beyond northeastern Pennsylvania engaged with The University of Scranton," said Peter Galbraith, executive director of development. "The organization grew from their desire to help their alma mater."

The President's Business Council seeks to further the mission of The University of Scranton through their own initiatives in networking and mentoring of alumni and supporting current students through internship and mentoring opportunities. Council members participate in the university's Executive in Residence program, which brings alumni back to campus to meet with students.

The council is also helping to support Presidential Scholarships for talented students. Full-tuition Presidential scholarships are awarded annually to top students entering The University of Scranton. Students are selected to receive the scholarship based on their academic excellence, leadership ability and character. The proceeds of the inaugural dinner will benefit the Presidential Scholarship fund at the University.

Following the New York City group, business councils are being formed in the Philadelphia region and the Washington D. C. area.

At the inaugural dinner the President's Business Council will also bestow to Mr. Roche the first President's Medal in recognition of the excellence he achieved in his field and the extraordinary compassion he has displayed for others. A graduate of The University of Scranton, Mr. Roche was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as the top headhunter in New York. He was also named "Headhunter of the Century" by his peers in a poll conducted by Hunt Scanlon Publishing Company, Inc.

In more than 35 years as an executive recruiter, Mr. Roche has worked with hundreds of corporations and has identified top executives throughout the world in numerous industries, including AT& T, Compaq Computer Corporation, IMB, Home Depot, and 3M.

Mr. Roche joined Heidrick and Struggles in 1964, rising through the ranks to the position of president and chief executive officer in 1978. In 1981, he moved to the chairman position to devote more time for the high-level search work for which he is most known.

Mr. Roche is a member of the Knights of Malta, and on the board of directors of the National Mentoring Partnership, Community Anti-Drugs Coalitions of America, and The Advisory Council of The Divinity School at Harvard University. He is a former chairman of the board of The University of Scranton.

A cum laude graduate of the University of Scranton' class of 1953, Mr. Roche earned an M.B.A. from New York University. He also received an honorary doctor of laws degree from The University of Scranton in 1982.

For additional information, please contact Mr. Galbraith at 570-941-7661.