October 11, 2012
Recognizing
the University’s success in raising more than $80,000 to support
research and programs for survivors, the American Cancer Society
(ACS) presented St. John’s with its 2012 College of Excellence
Award.
“St. John’s is the first university in the New York metropolitan
area to receive the College of Excellence Award,” said Jillian
Ladouceur, Director of Special Events for the Eastern Division of
ACS. The honor recognizes the funds raised by Queens campus
students and administrators at last April’s Relay for Life, as well as
their year-round commitment to cancer research and awareness.
The event, in partnership with ACS, drew nearly 1,500 students,
including members of 118 student clubs and teams, who marched all
night in laps around Carnesecca
Arena.
Relay for Life is an
international effort in which communities and institutions generate
support for cancer research, celebrate the courage of survivors and
honor those who have died. Since ACS began the team relay program
in 1986, the events have expanded to 21 other countries.
“I’ve
worked with a lot of colleges, and I think that St. John’s embraces
Relay for Life as a culture, not just an event,” said Ladouceur.
“Students and administrators held more than a hundred pre-Relay
events during the year. They really focus on embracing our mission,
so the University community truly understands why it’s so
important.”
“This award is recognition of the ongoing dedication of our
students to making the Relay for Life event a huge success,” said
Kathryn Hutchinson, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
at St. John’s. “To our students — and the faculty and
administrators who work with them — Relay is much more than a
fundraiser to support the fight against cancer: it’s an opportunity
for our community to come together to make a difference in the
lives of others.”
In 2010, St. John’s won an ACS award for attracting 24 cancer
survivors to that year’s Relay. This past year, 42 survivors
attended.
Morgan Wright ’14C, who chairs the Student Government committee
that organizes Relay for Life, accepted the award on St. John’s
behalf at ACS’s eastern regional conference in Secaucus, NJ, on
September 21–22. The committee plans and organizes Relay for Life
with support from administrators
Mary H. Pelkowski, Associate Dean for Student Engagement, and
Maggie Bach, Assistant Director of Leadership Development and
Service.
“I didn’t expect us to win the award at all,” said Wright. “I knew
we’d worked hard, but all of our focus was on getting results for
this very important cause. It’s humbling to see how much you can
accomplish with support from dedicated friends and
colleagues.”
Wright said she and other committee members already are planning
for the next Relay for Life, which takes place in the spring
semester on Friday, April 19, 2013.
Red Storm spirit also inspire our men's and women's athletic
teams to join the fight against cancer. Learn about recent efforts
by
women's soccer, men's and women's
basketball — including
Steve Lavin, the head men's coach — and even St. John's mascot
Johnny
Thunderbird!