August 27, 2012
With help and high spirits from family, friends and campus
volunteers, about 3,700 new and returning students moved into St.
John’s University’s residence halls on August 23 – 26.
At each of St. John’s three, residential New York City campuses —
in Queens, on
Staten Island and
in Manhattan —
the fall Move-In Days marked the unofficial start of the 2012-13
academic year.
On Thursday, August 23, more than 1,500 new freshmen arrived at St.
Vincent Hall and the Residential
Village on the Queens campus. Continuing, transfer and graduate
students moved into the Residential Village,
Founder’s Village Townhouses and nearby off-campus housing on
Sunday, August 26.
Photo
Gallery
“Move-in Day is always exciting,” said
Eric Finkelstein, Director of Residence Life. “Every year is
the start of a new cycle — the smiles you see on the faces of our
new resident students are the same smiles you see at Commencement
Exercises four years later. There’s a sense of accomplishment on
every face.”
“This is great,” said Luke DaMommio ’16TCB, who comes to St. John’s
from Richardson, TX. “You’re in the big city, but there are a lot
of trees and open, grassy spaces, so you can escape from the pace
whenever you want.” Luke was impressed by
DaSilva Hall, one of six ultramodern buildings in the Residence
Village. “The rooms have a big common area, which is really neat —
when you want to relax, you can be near your room but not actually
in it.”
Savannah Robertson ’16SJC, who comes from New Brunswick,
NJ, was all smiles as she approached her new “home” at
Hollis Hall. “I’m very excited to begin this new chapter in my
life,” she said. “The campus is perfect — lots of things to do but
not overwhelming. I knew right away this is where I wanted to
be.”
Aisha Quinones ’16CPS, of Manhattan, felt much the same way. “I’m
totally exhausted,” she said as she wheeled her bulging suitcase.
“But I feel comfortable here. Everyone’s friendly, and Hollis is so
convenient.”
After settling into their new homes, the freshmen met with
Residence Life staff and enjoyed a barbecue. Then they spent the
evening at a local Target department store that St. John’s rented
entirely for students. Greeted by Johnny Thunderbird, the
University mascot, they shopped at discounted prices while a D.J.
played.
The evening launched St. John’s annual “Week of Wow,” a wide range
of events welcoming students to campus. Activities include a
Freshman Service Experience, an ice cream social, a Twilight
Carnival, a “slip-and-slide,” a New York City-themed “DAC After
Dark” at the D’Angelo
Center and a “street fair” in Carnesecca
Plaza.
At Staten Island, approximately 200 residents moved into the apartment-style
housing adjacent to campus. They were greeted by administrators
and volunteers in tents on the facility’s grassy courtyard.
Welcoming activities include performances in a new black-box
theater constructed over the summer in Spellman Hall.
“We’re a close-knit campus,” said Anilsa
Nunez, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director of Residence
Life at Staten Island. “So for us, Move-In Day and the week that
follows become a true community event.”
In addition, more than 150 resident students — including continuing
undergraduate and graduate students — moved into the 10-story
Manhattan campus, said David N. Gachigo, Associate Director of
Student Life.
Students come to St. John’s University from 46 states and 110
countries. In addition to New York City, St. John’s also has
campuses in Oakdale, NY, and
Rome, Italy, as
well as a location in
Paris, France.
