Romano Zavaroni – Honorary Fellowship Celebration
We’re delighted to share the news that on 13 October 2018, York St John University will be recognising the contribution Romano Zavaroni made to York St John and to education in general by awarding him with an Honorary Fellowship. We would be delighted to welcome back any of Romano’s former students who would like to join us for this special ceremony, which will include a light afternoon tea of cake and drinks, places can be booked here.
Romano is very fondly remembered by his students, and is often cited as having been a pivotal role model and exceptional lecturer whose tutelage has had an incredible impact on their later careers.
Romano (right) visits YSJ in 2016 along with former student Bryn Jones (left) and former colleague John Maw
Romano joined York St John as a lecturer in Physical Education in 1967, and towards the end of the 1970’s was making incredible strides in the field of Recreational Management, taking responsibility for setting up one of the first Recreational Management Programs at a College or University in the UK. Bryn Jones, a former student of Romano’s in the 1980’s tells us more. “His work was at the very beginning of the UK-wide sport, leisure and recreation revolution which was starting to see the development and creation of local authority sports, arts and leisure departments (things we now take for granted), along with establishment of Government quangos such as the Sports Council and the Arts Council and the building of major facilities and infrastructure etc. Romano could see it, feel it and he could sense way beyond the surface issues of sports and leisure. He embraced all the disciplines of business before there were business management degrees.”
“Romano was always dressed immaculately, often in his three piece suits, crisp white shirt, cuff links and tie” Bryn continues, “and as students we had to learn that a tutorial, class or one to one started from 8am or 8.30am. He always said he was preparing us for getting on in the real world and the discipline was firm and needed.”
Another of Romano’s former students from the 1980’s, Denise Howard OBE, explains that Romano’s approach to education was one of the things that made him really stand out. “With insightful questions, he helped me realize I had a brain and quietly inspired me to learn about business theory and practice, motivation, leadership, teamwork, customer needs, strategy and tactics. Romano did not so much as teach, as unleash the inner motivation in his students to learn, share and develop as people, managers and entrepreneurs. He had high expectations of his students, expecting us to want to achieve and be the best that we could be, he saw no reason why we shouldn’t be successful at whatever we chose to do. Many of his former students have become successful entrepreneurs, business owners, managers and leaders. He was – and still is – the very best kind of leader.”
After 23 years of inspiring hundreds of students, Romano retired in 1990 on health grounds, at the time some of his former students arranged a surprise retirement dinner, and what perhaps best demonstrates the impact he had on so many students, is that more than 150 people spanning his teaching career returned for the occasion, to see, be with, thank and celebrate Romano and the incalculable impact he had on their outlooks, careers and lives.
If you studied under Romano, we would be delighted for you to join us for this special Honorary Fellowship Celebration. Registering to attend is free, but places must be booked, and can be done so through eventbrite.
If you have any stories or memories of Romano, we’d also love to hear them! you can get in touch by e-mailing us at alumni@yorksj.ac.uk
