Rob Kerns had always planned to be a New Jersey native for life.
Plans changed when he received a full scholarship to St. John’s
University, and proceeded to love the campus and the proximity of
Queens to the city. He recalls, “I visited campus on a rainy and
overcast day in January. When the tour was over, I told my parents
that this was still the school for me.”
When he first told his father that he wanted to go to school in New
York City, his dad told him, “New York will eat you alive.” Little
did either of them know that New York City would prove to be a
perfect fit. Not only is it the perfect distance from home, but it
also allowed him to delve into the metropolitan aspect of the
city.
St. John’s University also lead Rob to the Honors Program, which he
says enhanced his experience in college. “The Honors Program really
helped me to create a basis for friendship. Everybody was so
welcoming. It truly becomes like a little community. There are
people in the Honors Program that I will know for life. Hands down.
I can’t say that about many people, but I know for sure that I’ve
met people this year who I will always know.”
Rob has always done extremely well in Biology. His interest in
science, in addition to his skills in working with people, led him
to the pre-med program at St. John’s. “I am a Biology major,
prospective government/politics minor, and in pre-med. This, in
addition to the amount of extracurriculars that I’ve tried to
immerse myself in, has really kept me busy.”
Rob made sure to take advantage of all extra-curriculars that the
Honors Program offered him. In his freshman year alone, he partook
in attending operas, ballets, Broadway plays, museum trips, and
concerts. “The Honors Program offered me free opportunities to do
things that most people never get to do. Once-in-a-lifetime
experiences in a city that’s literally right here.”
The Honors Program also offered him and his peers a private “Honors
Commons.” This proved invaluable during finals week, where quiet is
much-needed.
In addition to the Honors Program, Rob has become involved in LEAD,
Residence Life and Campus Ministry. “I was always involved in high
school in such things as Operation Smile and Youth Ministry. When I
transitioned to college, I wanted to keep that involvement going.
St. John’s made it easy.”
In his first semester at St. John’s, Rob took the Honors Discover
New York course and loved it. “A segment of the class was dedicated
to walking tours of Manhattan. I would much rather personally
witness the city than listen to a lecture about it. To me, there’s
no comparison.”
In addition to learning about New York, Rob is also planning on
studying abroad to learn about Europe. “St. John’s gives me a
chance to experience life overseas. They have offered me so much in
such a short time. I have learned so much here that I plan to
implement for the rest of my life. I will never say no to them. I
owe them a great college experience.”