March 04, 2011
Beaming with confidence, 47 eighth-graders from a Queens, NY,
public middle school received certificates and applause from
professors and mentors at St. John’s University on Feb. 25 in
closing ceremonies for a four-day immersion in the rigors and
rewards of college life.
The students, from Middle School 217, successfully completed the
University’s first College Immersion Program, held at the Queens campus.
The program brought the eighth-graders to St. John’s for an early
taste of college life, with courses taught by St. John’s professors
and campus activities guided by St. John’s undergraduate and
graduate students, who served as group leaders.
“We’re so proud of you,”
Mary Beth Schaefer, Ed.D., told the students — and their
parents — during ceremonies in the President’s Room at Carnesecca
Arena. “We’ve seen you attend every class with excitement and
maturity. Now you understand a little of the landscape of college
life.”
Dr. Schaefer, an Assistant Professor of Education, created the
program, administered with the St. John’s-based New York chapter of
After-School All-Stars.
Funding was provided through a
21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant the University
received in 2008 from the New York State Education Department. The
School of Education and After-School All-Stars developed the
proposal for the five-year, $2,878,190 grant.
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