An ambitious Master Space Plan was undertaken, involving a
number of renovations and new construction in support of St. John’s
strategic objectives for developing a more student-centered
academic and institutional culture reflecting a commitment to
lifelong learning.
Capital Campaign monies helped the University make substantial
progress on Phase I of the Plan last year. Some of the most
noteworthy are:
- Reconfiguring Sullivan Hall’s fourth and fifth floors and
constructing an outdoor café on the ground level. These
enhancements “created an attractive work environment, so that our
students feel a sense of pride and place. Faculty and students are
starting to have a greater exchange of ideas now that they are all
in one place,” says The School of Education Dean Ross.
- Officially opening the new state-of-the-art
field house named for St. John’s donors and longtime supporters
of St. John’s University, alumnus Donald Taffner and his wife,
Eleanor. It is a two-story, 38,000 square foot athletic facility
with four full-size basketball courts — two for Student Life and
two for Varsity basketball; study space for athletes, offices for
coaches, strength and conditioning and medical facilities and
meeting space.
- Remodeling The Little Theatre by putting in a new ceiling,
expanded seating, improved electrical wiring, new carpeting and
lighting.
- Announcing a $100,000 endowment to construct The Sciarra Family
Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Room, named for its donors. Three
members of the Sciarra family graduated from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
- Building a Writing Center in
Staten Island as part of the University’s Institute for Writing
Studies.
- Refurbishing the Marillac Terrace Cafeteria.
- Constructing a new Student Career Center.
- Installing an eye-catching
antique clock, a gift of St. John’s trustee Eleanor Taffner and
her husband Donald, a University alumnus, in front of the new
Taffner Field House.
- Building 13 classrooms in Marillac Hall.