Anthony Pizzitola ’73, MBA ’82
Is This Necessary?
By Anthony Pizzitola ’73, MBA ’82
In “Is This Necessary,” alumnus Anthony Pizzitola remembers UST and the days shared with Fr. Vincent Guinan, president emeritus and founder of the University. Pizzitola received the Writer of the Year award from the Restaurant Facility Management Association. Autograph Magazine published his article, “My Quest for the Autograph of Neil Armstrong.” The Universal Autograph Collectors Club will soon publish “The Neil Armstrong Signature Study,” and FM Magazine in England will publish, “What Corporate Facility Managers Can Learn From Restaurant Facility Managers.” Although he had a successful year, Anthony reports that his biggest joy was seeing his daughter, Ariel, graduate cum laude from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Washington, D.C.
In the 1970s most students were aware of an elderly priest walking at a determined pace to and from the Link-Lee Mansion. Those who greeted him received a brief smile and minimal conversation. Being the editor for the 1972 Summa, I inquired about the fast-paced priest and was advised it was Fr. Vincent Guinan, president emeritus and founder of the University of St. Thomas. Being an editor, I should have known who he was, and when I informed others of his identity, they were equally surprised.
After several days, I came to the editorial decision to include his title and photo in the Summa. Without an appointment, I marched into his office while he was busy writing. I stated that most students were not aware that he founded the University and decided to include his title and photo in the yearbook. He quickly looked up and bellowed, “Is this necessary?” Without hesitation, I said “yes,” and we went onto the second story veranda. These were probably the last photos taken of Fr. Guinan.
Over the decades, the quick exchange never vacated my memory. I had been face-to face with a silent legend, an individual who established a university that continues to educate leaders of faith and character, but shunned any recognition for his greatness. His humility can be attributed to his Catholic upbringing.
I recently completed a study on Neil Armstrong, a very private person who shunned the national spotlight. His only desire was to be the first test pilot on the moon, not the first man on the moon with the fanfare that followed.
I have been in the presence of many giants whose legacies were created either by themselves or the media, and in both cases humility was never in the equation as standing ovations and photo ops were an expectation. So how could a simple priest who appeared so adverse to publicity build a university with a national reputation? This question began my quest for more information 27 years after our initial meeting.
Those interviewed agreed that Fr. Guinan was very humble but a master at situational leadership that involved achieving results through others who shared his vision and dedication to duty. A Canadian of Irish decent, he was raised on a farm in Ontario before entering the Basilian order. In 1946, he was sent to Houston to break ground for a Catholic university. So, if recognition was not necessary to Fr. Guinan, what was necessary to this professor of economics?
Vision and Results
To establish a university, it was necessary to possess a vision and unequivocal sense of purpose so strong nothing could contaminate the vision or impede witnessing its materialization. With consistent optimism and encouragement the vision became addictive to a handful of professors and clerical staff who followed Fr. Guinan to enroll the first class of 57 freshmen. Since then, his tenacity and leadership impact serves as his invisible signature on every degree the University has awarded.
Fr. Guinan’s marketing ability to enlist the original pioneers is parallel to his ability to market his vision to the original financial patrons of the University who saw the need for a Catholic university in the heart of Houston. Their unified efforts established the first Mardi Gras Scholarship funds and to this day provide scholarships to support and sustain the university. Attorney Marilyn Hebinck ’57 claimed that not only did Fr. Guinan pursue scholarship recipients, he sought funding for their scholarships. “He also took the time to personally write to each of us.” But even with strong financial support, the University has had its challenges. The first major challenge required Fr. Guinan to manage the conflict with poise and finesse.
In 1951, the United States was in middle of the Korean conflict. Americans were enlisting in large numbers, and university enrollment was dwindling. A small university like St. Thomas was in a precarious position. Seeing no new horizons on the University’s balance sheet, the Basilian General Council dispatched an individual to deliver the word of finality to Fr. Guinan. Opposed to the closing and undeterred, Fr. Guinan introduced the individual to staff and students and toured the small but impressive two blocks the University encompassed. During the tour Fr. Guinan maintained a large smile and was filled with contagious enthusiasm. Staff and students expressed equal passion and sense of purpose. Incapable of executing his orders, the bewildered individual returned to Canada.
Fr. Guinan’s impact and influence continued to inspire the University’s future presidents. His inspiration delivered gold each time a shovel hit the dirt to pave the way for a new building. Fr. Guinan was also famous for his impatience to witness the completion of a new project. Although he would be impressed to see the massive growth of the campus and an impressive $170MM Balance Sheet, he would still be impatiently highlighting additional work yet to be completed.
Thus far this brief analysis has demonstrated the necessary leadership principles Fr. Guinan possessed to launch a university and his dismissal of any unnecessary recognition. The only recognition he would find gratifying is the recognition of the graduates who became leaders of faith and character through the university’s teaching of Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.
Recognizing Vincent’s Legacy
In 1986, I presented the idea of the Vincent Guinan Distinguished Alumni Award to the UST Alumni Board. It was met with resounding zeal and unanimous approval as was the first nominee, Sr. Theresa Macey ‘56. Sr. Theresa grasped the culture of UST and delivered it daily for 45 years, building three schools for the unfortunate in Guatemala. Yet, she was only doing what she was called to do and had a passion for doing. Like Vincent she was a builder. Like Vincent, recognition is secondary to the act fulfilled before the eyes of Heaven.
As it was a necessary passion for Fr. Guinan to build a university, I often ask what is necessary of myself having benefited from two degrees from the University. Recently, I have contemplated what would have become of my life without St. Thomas High School and the University of St. Thomas. I’ve been asked many times why do I give money to the poor on street corners. I reply the individuals did not have the great parents I had, and it’s my unique way of giving thanks for the blessing of the parents. Every graduate of the University was blessed by the destiny-driven vision of Fr. Guinan. Their lives and the lives they have touched are a direct benefit of his perseverance. When a check is written to the university, the lives it eventually benefits are countless – his legacy continues.
During my discussion with past President Patrick Braden, one story captured my attention above the many anecdotes he shared. In 1973, Fr. Guinan lay dying of cancer. He summoned Fr. Braden to his side and identified a wealthy person who frequently supported the scholarship fund. Fr. Guinan then instructed Fr. Braden on how to approach the benefactor and the exact word-for-word delivery. Fr. Braden met with the benefactor and walked away with a large contribution to the scholarship fund. An equally inspiring dialogue was held with scholarship recipient and now prominent Houston Attorney, Burney Hebinck ’55. Burney delivered countless accolades that described Fr. Guinan, but his last statement captured the essence of Fr. Guinan’s spirit and leadership, “For four years he was my best friend.”
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