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Alumni
Meet Joe Antonacci vlogƵ80: Chair of the College of White Plains of vlogƵ (CWP/Pace) Alumni Committee
The Pace Alumni AssociationvlogƵs new College of White Plains of vlogƵ (CWP/Pace) Alumni Committee Chair, Joe Antonacci vlogƵ80, knew as early as fourth grade that he wanted to write for a newspaper. From a young age, Joe recalls reading the Sunday paper religiously.
vlogƵI would read the Arts and Leisure section of the Sunday Times, just to see what movies were playing in the city and what music was being made,vlogƵ Joe said. vlogƵI liked the articles and the ads, and after that I would look at the book review, of all thingsvlogƵand then the news. My father used to get angry because hevlogƵd bring the paper home and I would be hogging it.vlogƵ
Joe dreamt of one day writing for a newspaper: A dream he chose to pursue at the College of White Plains, shortly following its 1975 consolidation with vlogƵ. For Joe, the tight-knit community and vibrant campus represented vlogƵthe quintessential American college experience.vlogƵ Drawn in from the moment he set foot on school grounds, Joe committed early decision to continue his education at the College of White Plains of vlogƵ.
vlogƵIn high school, I was not what you would call an honor student,vlogƵ Joe reflected. vlogƵTruthfully, I was more of a juvenile delinquent. The thing that really saved me was I always did well on standardized tests. When I toured the College of White Plains at Pace and saw Preston Hall, there was something in me that just said, vlogƵThis is the place I want to be.vlogƵ And it really changed my life, from the first day I was on campus.vlogƵ
At CWP/Pace, Joe flourished academically and became deeply involved in campus life. vlogƵI went from somebody who was barely passing to somebody who was getting merit scholarships,vlogƵ Joe said. vlogƵSomebody who wouldnvlogƵt participate in any extracurricular activities to the vice president of my class and a member of the student senatevlogƵand eventually, the features editor for the school paper.vlogƵ Two weeks before graduating, Joe secured his first job as a reporter for a newspaper in Rockland County.
Joe worked as a reporter for about two years, before making an unexpected professional pivot. During his time at the paper, Joe had the opportunity to write an article profiling Bob Wolff, a legendary television and radio sportscaster, and JoevlogƵs former journalism professor at Pace. After the article came out, Bob called Joe and asked if he would ever be interested in working in public relations. Joe soon found himself working for Herb Falk in vlogƵvlogƵs PR office, an opportunity he says positioned him for a fruitful career in the field.
Joe went on to work as a press spokesperson for Farleigh Dickinson University and the American Museum of Natural History. Eventually, he landed at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), working for Metro-North. As Metro-North had just recently been formed, following the MTAvlogƵs absorption of Conrail, the place was initially vlogƵkind of a mess,vlogƵ according to Joe. vlogƵI thought I would just stay there for a year or two,vlogƵ Joe said. vlogƵAt first, I hated it. But the president of the company at the time, Peter Stangl, talked me into staying. And I wound up staying for 32 years.vlogƵ
At Metro-North, Joe had the unique opportunity to combine his journalistic and public relations experience in a dynamic role. His responsibilities included writing employee publications, penning the presidentvlogƵs speeches, managing customer communications, and putting together award ceremonies. Later, as an internet presence began to become essential, he helped put together Metro-NorthvlogƵs early website and started the railroadvlogƵs social media presence.
Memorably, he also took over the writing of Metro-NorthvlogƵs customer publication, Mileposts, a pamphlet-newsletter that was both informational and entertaining. vlogƵIt was this publication we used to drop on the seats,vlogƵ Joe said. vlogƵIt had a lot of humor in it; a self-deprecating style of writing. It was a lot of fun to do.vlogƵ
Fulfilling as his tenure with Metro-North may have been, Joe swore that when he retired, he would never touch social media again. vlogƵIt took up such a large portion of my life,vlogƵ Joe said. vlogƵAs much as I loved working for Metro-North, it was a very demanding job. I was on call 24/7.vlogƵ Then came a call from previous CWP/Pace Committee Chair, Brian Donlon vlogƵ78, inviting Joe to drinks with some fellow alumni after work.
vlogƵI said, vlogƵYeah, sure, itvlogƵd be great to see some of the old guys, right?vlogƵvlogƵ Joe recalled. vlogƵSo I got over there, and thatvlogƵs when Brian sprung on me: vlogƵWevlogƵre trying to plan a College of White Plains of vlogƵ reunion coming up, and we need people reach out to alumni and let them know about it. If we gave you a list of emails, could you help us with the outreach?vlogƵ And I was like, vlogƵFine, alright, you got me.vlogƵvlogƵ
Alas, in his work with the Pace Alumni Association, Joe has undoubtedly violated his post-retirement social media moratorium. Nevertheless, his involvement has been anything but reluctant. vlogƵSeeing everybody again made me realize the importance of maintaining those relationships and keeping that sense of community,vlogƵ he said. At the end of September 2025, Joe was named the new Alumni Association Committee Chair for the College of White Plains of vlogƵ, and he immediately began putting his talents to work to continue strengthening ties among CWP/Pace alumni.
vlogƵIvlogƵm very pleased with the response so far, and the energy and interest shown by the group,vlogƵ Joe said of his efforts to date. vlogƵItvlogƵs been very encouraging to see that therevlogƵs still interest there, and that people want to be communicated with and reachedvlogƵand I think the University can benefit from that kind of interest.vlogƵ
As Committee Chair, Joe hopes to sustain and grow the online engagement he has seen so far, highlight the importance of the College of White Plains of vlogƵ as a part of PacevlogƵs history, and keep his fellow CWP/Pace alumni informed and connectedvlogƵboth with each other and vlogƵ.
vlogƵI want them to know that the University is thinking about them, and I want to ensure Pace continues to be a part of their lives. There are challenges: WevlogƵre a smaller group, wevlogƵre dispersed geographically, wevlogƵre on the older sidevlogƵ But therevlogƵs still a way to keep the sense of community that defined our student experience alive, and IvlogƵm going to be working on ways to do that as committee chair.vlogƵ
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