November 02, 2009
This
spring, 29 new members were inducted into St. John’s University’s
President’s Society. This most prestigious organization is made up
of students whose scholarship, integrity and maturity are
accompanied by leadership skills demonstrated by their significant
contribution to the extracurricular life at St. John’s.
Founded in 1968 to showcase the “best and brightest” among the
student body during a tumultuous time when the national perception
of college students was vastly negative, the President’s Society
still represents all that is best in St. John’s students.
The new Society members — 19 female and 10 male — are now
considered staff in the office of University President Rev. Donald
J. Harrington, C.M. During the upcoming year, they will typically
attend 15-20 presidential functions, acting as hosts for honored
guests who might include world or national leaders, Board members,
industry titans, and St. John’s alumni and friends.
Interested students apply for membership in the Society in their
third year and serve during their fourth year. Three equally
important criteria are considered: academic achievement (generally
a 3.5 grade average); a comprehensive knowledge of the University
and an ability to articulate it fluently; and sustained leadership
within the University that includes service both on and off St.
John’s campuses. Members are selected by a committee of University
administrators after an intensive application and interview
process.
We invite you to meet Patrick
McBurney ’10
As a high school student in Providence, Rhode Island, Patrick
McBurney spent Christmases carrying gift-wrapped packages to
families in some of the city’s toughest neighborhoods. To this day,
he smiles when he recalls “the look on their faces” as they opened
their doors.
The experience was part of the “Adopt-a-Family” program at LaSalle
Academy, the Catholic high school Patrick attended. “It was,” he
said, “one of the most gratifying things I’d ever done.”
Patrick also discovered another side to service. Inspired by his
father, a state senator, he took a job as a page in the State
House. Patrick’s hard work led to a position as assistant to the
Chief Legal Counsel for the Senate President. “I saw how public
policies can improve lives,” he said. “It’s a lesson I never
forgot.”
Today, Patrick is an outstanding student at St. John’s University,
where he embraces the University’s Catholic and Vincentian mission
by serving others on and off the Queens campus. Long active in
Greek life, he provides leadership as President of Student
Government. Off-campus, he joins other students as a volunteer in
neighboring communities.
“St. John’s gives you so many opportunities to get involved,” said
the 21-year-old
Government and Politics major. “It’s the best way to make a
difference in what’s going on around you.”
The Value of Hard Work
This desire to make a difference prepared Patrick well for the
highest honor available at St. John’s — admission to the
President’s Society. The University’s top honor society for
undergraduates, the society celebrates academic excellence, service
and leadership. Members serve as University “ambassadors” at major
events, spending time with distinguished guests and sharing their
experiences at the University.
“It’s a chance to be welcoming,” said Patrick. “I get to meet
people and show off the University, to talk about what it’s done
for students like me.”
Enthusiasm and initiative are expected of President’s Society
members, said Patrick — and they are qualities he tries to bring to
all his efforts. “I noticed something at the State House,” he said.
“You have to take the initiative. I don’t wait for someone to tell
me what to do. If work has to be done, I’ll do it. That’s when
you’re rewarded with more responsibility.”
Patrick grew up in Pawtucket, RI, a suburb of Providence. His
father, John F. McBurney III, is a state senator, as were both of
Patrick’s grandfathers. This legacy encouraged Patrick to pursue
his interests in law, politics and service. “Public service is in
my blood,” said Patrick.
Everything College Should Be
When applying to colleges, Patrick wanted to find one that offered
many opportunities to make a difference. “I’d always heard about
St. John’s,” he said, “whether they were playing basketball against
Providence College or through graduates who knew the University.”
He applied online and, notified of his acceptance, visited the
campus with his parents.
“We were a little surprised and very pleased with the campus,” he
recalled. “I was expecting something very ‘Manhattan-like’ — a
cluster of concrete buildings, no trees or grass. I was very happy
to see that even though it’s close to Manhattan, St. John’s is very
traditional, with grass, trees, residence halls and beautiful older
buildings.”
He was especially impressed by the active, cosmopolitan atmosphere
on campus. A Catholic and Vincentian University, St. John’s
nurtures students of every faith. Testifying to this, Patrick, who
is Catholic, followed a good friend in joining Sigma Alpha Mu, a
traditionally Jewish fraternity. Members embrace St. John’s
Vincentian mission by serving at soup kitchens, helping to clean
local parks and participating in fundraising walks against
disease.
Greek life also introduced Patrick to Student Government. A fellow
Sigma Alpha Mu member put him in touch with a young man who was
President at the time. Joining his ticket, Patrick was elected
Sophomore Senator, ultimately leading to his current post as
President.
For Patrick, service and leadership activities are the perfect
complement to his studies. “I’ve had some amazing professors,” he
said. “They’ve had an extremely positive influence on me.” Patrick
originally intended to major in mathematics. Due to scheduling
conflicts, he decided to focus on his other interest — Government
and Politics. “It’s been a great switch,” he said. “I love the
professors, and it’s allowed me to take more elective
courses.”
Many of these electives have been in Speech. “I’ve learned how to
give a speech, how to structure it and deliver it,” he said,
offering special thanks to John Greg, Ph.D. “Every one of my speech
classes has been with him, which is great. He’s always there to
help you.”
Yet another advantage, says Patrick, is St. John’s focus on global
learning. As a campus leader, he has attended special workshops at
St. John’s campus in Rome, Italy, and he looks forward to another
in Puerto Rico this year. “Traveling to so many places on your own
definitely builds confidence,” he said.
With the confidence he has gained from class work, service and
campus leadership activities, Patrick looks forward to his next big
academic endeavor — law school. “It’s something I thought about
doing when I first came here,” he said. “My experience at St.
John’s has reassured me about the wisdom of pursuing that
goal.”
We invite you to visit our Admissions pages to
learn more about the St. John’s experience.