Alpha Phi Delta Foundation

About Dr. Santo J. Barbarino 

and the Dr. Santo Barbarino Award

Eternal rest grant to Santo, O Lord.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Dr. Santo J. Barbarino was born on April 27, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Alfio and Santa Barbarino. He was initiated into Beta Sigma Chapter (St. Francis College) on April 21, 1965. After graduation from St. Francis College in Brooklyn in 1967, he became extremely involved in the National organization of the Fraternity. He received the Outstanding Undergraduate Award in 1967.

In 1967-1968, brother Barbarino served as Third District Governor in the New York City area. At the end of his service as a District Governor, he was appointed to serve as Kleos Editor, succeeding the long-serving Stanley Raffa in the role. Brother Barbarino would go on to serve for some ten years --from 1968-1978-in that office. Upon concluding his tenure as Kleos Editor, Brother Barbarino was elected to serve as National President of the Fraternity, serving two terms, from 1978-1980.

When asked about his Presidency’s accomplishments, brother Barbarino wrote the following for The Kleos, in a 1989 article:

“In addition to [adopting a] new Constitution, the Alpha Phi Delta Foundation was established, the National Housing Corporation was reorganized, the Convention Corporation was dissolved, the Fraternity was brought into good standing with the Internal Revenue Service ... these changes did not come easy.”

In the years that followed his Presidency, brother Barbarino remained very active in the life of the Fraternity. He served as an one of the original Directors on the Board of the Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, and later served as Scholarship Trustee of the Scholarship Division of the Foundation from its inception until his untimely death.

For his many years of activity, support and service, Santo Barbarino was awarded the Fraternity’s 2011 Outstanding Alumnus Award at the National Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The winning of the Outstanding Alumnus Award gave Brother Barbarino the distinction of being one of only a handful of brothers who have received both the Outstanding Undergraduate and Outstanding Alumnus award.

Professionally, Brother Barbarino received his doctorate from New York University in 1987, was honored as New York State Principal of the Year, and served the village of Lynbrook, New York as science teacher, department chair, long-time high school principal, and as District Superintendent. He was still working for the Lynbrook School District until the time of his passing.

The Fraternity was greatly saddened when on August 27, 2012, Brother Barbarino passed away unexpectedly at the age of 66, just weeks after having attended the 2012 National Convention.

Following a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Raymond’s Church in East Rockaway, Brother Barbarino was interred at St. John's Cemetery in Middle Village, New York.

About Donating to the Dr. Santo Barbarino Award

A Scholarship in Santo Barbarino's name will be administered by the Alpha Phi Delta Foundation. This award is presented annually to an undergraduate brother who has successfully overcome significant challenges to his academic career. If you would like to make a contribution to this scholarship fund in memory of Santo Barbarino, please click on the link below: