August 25, 2010
Filling the
air with a mingled sense of anticipation and excitement, more than
600 students and parents came together at St. John’s Queens campus on
Thursday, August 19, as part of New Student Orientation 2010.
Hosted by the Office of
Student Life, the two-day event — part of a summer of
orientation activities — offered a rousing welcome to life and
learning at New York City’s largest Catholic University. The
incoming class joins St. John’s 14,983 undergraduates, representing
46 states and 111 countries.
Activities
included welcome skits, “ice-breaker” discussions, presentations by
Campus
Ministry and campus tours. In addition, current students joined
administrators in addressing the students and parents, combining
important information with anecdotes about campus life.
From June to August, roughly 3,000 new freshmen, international and
transfer students will have attended Orientation
at Queens. "Our activities give students and parents a view of
college life — and how it differs from high school,” said
James Salnave, Associate Dean of Student Development and
Director of Academic Service-Learning. “Orientation offers an
understanding of academic expectations, policies and the importance
of balancing new responsibilities.”
On August 23, the Staten Island campus
held its own two-day Orientation for more than 200 students and
parents. They met Deans, current students and Student
Services representatives. Students also joined a professor in a
“mock” Discover
New York class. The day’s activities included a meet-and-greet
and an introduction to the campus's many student clubs and
organizations.
“We’re
introducing them to the best of what St. John’s has to offer,” says
Kimberly
J. Palmieri-Mouded, Assistant Dean of Student Development. “We
hope students gain insight into the endless opportunities available
to them — that includes a well-rounded education, leadership
opportunities, service experiences, study abroad and academic and
student support.”
Among the many students attending Orientation Day was Anthony Foti,
a freshman in the College
of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. “This really helps
to ease the anxiety of moving from high school to college,” he
said. Cheryl Jennings accompanied her son, Darian. “I’m really
impressed with the scope of the activities—and the diversity of
students and opportunities here,” she said. “We’re grateful that
St. John’s is setting the tone for Darian’s next four years.”