The latest creating presently less than design at the Queens, NY, campus of St. John’s College will have devoted space that pays tribute in perpetuity to a acquainted alumni power pair. The sun-splashed Dorothea and Nickolas Davatzes Atrium will welcome visitors to the St. Vincent Corridor Wellness Sciences Middle as they enter the constructing from the Good Lawn.
The atrium is named in memory of Nickolas “Nick” Davatzes ’62C, ’64G, ’95HON, Trustee Emeritus, cable tv pioneer, and husband of Dorothea “Dorie” Hayes Davatzes ’66Ed. Mr. Davatzes, Chief Govt Officer Emeritus of A+E Television Networks, LLC, died in August of 2021 at the age of 79. Right before his passing, the Davatzes relatives designed a 5-million-greenback dedication to help the College that to start with introduced Nick and Dorie collectively as undergraduates 60 several years earlier.
“St. John’s University was the initially of a lot of shared experiences for Dad and Mom, so it is only fitting that their names dwell on at the campus,” stated Geody Davatzes, 1 of the two surviving sons of Mr. Davatzes.
“The day just before he handed, my father talked about how vital St. John’s was in his life and how he preferred to in some way leave a long lasting legacy at the College. This determination for this new facility will satisfy his needs.”
In addition to Dorothea, Mr. Davatzes is survived by son George “Geody” Davatzes and his spouse, Jennifer Davatzes son Nicholas C. Davatzes, Ph.D., and his wife Alexandra Davatzes, Ph.D., and grandchildren Julia, Nicholas, Elias, and Lilly. He was predeceased by his son Christopher. A sister Carol Davatzes Ferrandino, ’68 also graduated from St. John’s.
The structure for the Davatzes atrium phone calls for a 3-tale, mild-filled open house with skylights to convey in normal illumination. The atrium will element seating areas, group examine rooms, and interactive collaboration areas—ample house to allow for for the electrical power and activity of college students. Two grand staircases will health supplement two elevators.
As longtime and generous supporters of the University, the Davatzes family has still left a long lasting legacy at St. John’s. In 2007, they proven the Christopher N. Davatzes Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for their late son, to help students fighting cancer or an additional serious healthcare affliction. In 2001, Mr. and Mrs. Davatzes started the Dorothea Hayes Davatzes Scholarship Fund to advantage learners in The College of Instruction. The Nickolas Davatzes Scholarship and Research Grant Fund in St. John’s School of Liberal Arts and Sciences supports graduate college students who present determination to American Record or Classical and/or Contemporary Greek Record.
Mr. Davatzes is fondly remembered by the St. John’s neighborhood as a dedicated alumnus, a generous philanthropist, and a devoted winner of the University. “The generosity of the Davatzes household understands no bounds, noticed Christian P. Vaupel, Ed.D., Vice President for Development and University Relations. “The Davatzes atrium will provide to make this new setting up vitality-successful, giving St. John’s college students with an excellent space for learning, gathering, and socializing. We are grateful to the Davatzes household for their management present to this important facility.”
Acknowledged through the leisure business as the visionary who introduced A+E Networks and The Background Channel, Mr. Davatzes grew up in New York Metropolis and signifies the traditional St. John’s achievements story. The son of Greek immigrants—George and Alexandra Davatzes—he graduated from William Cullen Bryant Significant College in Astoria, NY, and enrolled at St. John’s University—where he fulfilled his upcoming spouse, Dorothea Hayes. He acquired his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1962, followed by a Master of Arts diploma in Sociology two decades afterwards.
Soon after earning his graduate degree, Mr. Davatzes volunteered for the US Marine Corps, serving in both of those active and reserve capacities. In 1968, he and Dorothea wed, and before long thereafter, he accepted a place with the Xerox Company, where by he worked in many roles right up until 1977. He then joined Intext Interaction Systems, exactly where he served as President for two yrs.
Mr. Davatzes acknowledged a place with Warner Amex Cable Communications in 1980, the place he served as Senior Vice President, Administration and Human Assets, and was quickly promoted to Team Executive the pursuing yr. With his knowledge, he was a organic for the position of President and Main Govt Officer of the newly developed A+E Networks, a position for which he was tapped in 1983.
As President and CEO of A+E Television Networks, LLC, Mr. Davatzes presided in excess of the launch of The Record Channel, Biography, Armed service Historical past, Record Channel en Español, and other ventures. He is a 2005 inductee into the Cable Hall of Fame.
Mr. Davatzes was an lively member of the St. John’s University Board of Trustees, The Peter J. Tobin Faculty of Business Board of Advisors, The McCallen Society, and The Loughlin Modern society.
Mr. Davatzes was awarded an honorary Medical professional of Professional Science Degree from the University in 1995 and the Pietas Medal in 1989. In 2002, he was awarded St. John’s President’s Medal for his unfailing motivation to the College. He served on the President’s Meal Committee and was liable for the Biography-type online video profiles of honorees that are featured at the supper and have turn into a hallmark of the prestigious celebration.
“Nick and Dorie are the consummate St. John’s really like tale,” offered Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s. “The University brought them alongside one another they never ever forgot their St. John’s roots, and gave generously to aid the up coming era of pupils. St. John’s College is a much better, more powerful area thanks to the generosity of the Davatzes spouse and children.”