Division of Criminal Justice & Legal
Studies
For the 16th time in 18 years St. John’s
has earned a bid to the Nationals
of the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament.
The bid was earned by the St. John’s A squad which finished in 6th
place out of 24 teams with a record of 5-3 in the Atlantic Regional
Tournament held the weekend of February 26, 2010. The top 8 teams
earned a bid to move on to the Opening Round Championship Series to
be hosted by Pace University School of Law on March 13-14 in White
Plains, NY. Sixteen other teams, eight each from the
Regionals held at Syracuse U and Princeton U will make up the rest
of the field.
The top 8 teams at the Atlantic Regional
were:
- NYU (B squad)
- Columbia U. (A squad)
- Seton Hall (B squad)
- Columbia University (B squad)
- NYU (A squad)
- SJU (A squad)
- Seton Hall (A squad)
- Lafayette (A squad)
In addition, team member Xuan Gong, Freshman in SJC, was ranked
the second-highest
Outstanding Witness in the Regional.
Dean's Office
On Tuesday, September 1, 2009 the College of Professional Studies
hosted the New Student Convocation. Seven hundred freshmen attended
the convocation as well as approximately fifty faculty,
administrators and special guests. Ms. Jenny Alonzo, ’87 SVC, was
the keynote speaker. She received her Bachelor of Science in
Communication Arts and is currently the Executive Vice President of
Marketing and Communications, MIO.TV. Dr. Kathleen Vouté MacDonald,
Dean of the College of Professional Studies, provided the academic
address. Lawrence Pitilli, Associate Professor of Speech, and
Alfred Ragone, Class of 2010 served as co-master of ceremonies. The
Convocation welcomed our new freshmen to the University. It was
followed by the St. John’s fest on the Great Lawn.
* * * * *
Passport to Success Academic Internship Fair sponsored by CPS
kicked off Career Week on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at Taffner
Field House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Approximately 100
Corporate and Organization Internship sites attended the event and
were assembled into 15 Exhibit Areas designated by career/major
interest. Some of the companies that supported the fair included
Madison Square Garden (MSG), Viacom (MTV), Black Entertainment
(BET), NCB/Universal and the NY Mets/Citi Field. The Fair was
frequented by 856 students which represented a 50% increase over
the previous year.
The students received a passport upon entering Taffner Field House
and were encouraged to get 6 stamps from participating companies.
The first 200 students turning in a completed passport received a
St. John’s USB flashdrive. The Career Center assisted in the
promotion and organization of the fair and it was open to all
students at St. John’s University.
* * * * *
The Annual College of Professional Studies Awards Ceremony took
place on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in Marillac Terrace. The evening
consisted of a dinner and the awards ceremony. One hundred students
were honored for academic excellence and service to the
College. Over 75 faculty, administrators, and staff were also
present to honor the students. Dr. Kathleen Vouté MacDonald,
Dean of the College of Professional Studies, along with her
administrators and staff hosted the event for the 350 people that
attended. Fr. Michael Cummins, Assistant Dean, served as Master of
Ceremonies for the evening. Fr. John Kettelberger, University
Ministry, and Fr. James Maher, Vice President for Student Affairs
and Executive Director of VISA, participated in the Ceremony as
well. The evening gives the College a chance to honor and applaud
our students for their outstanding accomplishments.
* * * * *
The Eleventh Annual Criminal Justice Awards Dinner was held on
Monday, April 12, 2010 in Marillac Terrace on the Queens Campus.
Dr. Angelo Pisani was awarded The H. Craig Collins Award. Mr.
Steven A. Stella, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jzanus
Ltd. was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The Distinguished
Service Awards for student leadership was awarded to Victoria Funez
and six students were awarded the National Law Enforcement
Scholarship Award. Twenty-eight students were inducted into the
Alpha Epsilon Rho National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
The awards dinner was supported by over 20 College of Professional
Studies faculty and administrators, along with 180 staff, students,
family members and guests.
* * * * *
The Third Annual Legal Studies Awards Ceremony was held on April
22, 2010 in Marillac Terrace. Over 120 students, faculty and
parents attended the Ceremony. Timothy Rountree,
Attorney-In-Charge of the Criminal Division of the Legal Aid
Society was awarded the Legal Studies Distinguished Leadership
Award of 2010. Mr. Rountree has been a member of the Legal Studies
Advisory Board since 2007 and has been a guest speaker at many of
St. John’s events. Professor Susan Lushing has been teaching in the
Division of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies since 1975. She is a
member of the Legal Studies Advisory Board and has served several
terms on the College Personnel and Budget Committee. In recognition
of Professor Lushing’s outstanding service to the Legal Studies
Program, she was honored with the Legal Studies Service Award of
2010.
In addition, students were honored for their academic achievement.
Specifically, sixteen students were recognized for their academic
excellence in Legal Studies by inducting them to Lambda Epsilon Chi
National Legal Studies Honor Society. Sixteen students were also
recognized for their participation in the Mentor/Mentee program.
The outgoing officers and the newly-elected officers of the Legal
Society were introduced and recognized for their service to the
University. Finally, those who participated in the Legal Studies
Book Club were also acknowledged.