St. John's News

A group of prominent educators were recently feted at an event sponsored by St. John’s University The School of Education and the Office of Alumni Relations. The Third Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner (L.E.A.D) was held November 8 in Marillac Terrace on the Queens campus. The 2007 L.E.A.D. Honorees were Joseph Sciame ’71Ed, Vice President for Community Relations at St. John’s; Diane B. Scricca ’73Ed, ’77GEd, ’80PD, Superintendent of Schools Riverhead Central School District; Charisse E. Willis ’89SVC, ’91GEd, ’95PD, Assistant Dean, The School of Education; Edward J. Zero, District Superintendent/Executive Office, Eastern Suffolk BOCES; and Middle School 216 in Flushing, NY.

Photo Gallery

The event also served as an announcement of The School of Education’s 100th anniversary which will be celebrated in the academic year 2008-09. An array of activities is planned for this centennial celebration beginning with a gala opening dinner to be held in September in Manhattan. The School of Education Dean Jerrold Ross, Ph.D shared with attendees a bit of the school’s illustrious history including that from the beginning St. John’s was one of the first institutions to insist that teachers hold graduate degrees. “We are thrilled to be able to say that beginning in September we will have our grand opening of the 100th year of the existence of The School of Education,” Ross said. “With all of the events that will represent the quality we think that education should be all about. There is so much richness in this area and it is richness which is due in large part to people like you, our alumni and our growing number of friends.”

The evening began with a cocktail reception which was followed by welcoming remarks from Dean Ross. and an invocation from Rev. Kevin G. Creagh, C.M. ’91SVC, ’04PD. Assistant Vice President, Branch Campuses and Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Following dinner, the awards were distributed to each honoree by Larry Burke ’73Ed, ’77GEd, Adjunct Professor of Education at Molloy College, President of St. John’s University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, and a 2006 L.E.A.D. honoree. Burke said it’s important to recognize “the excellence in education that St. John’s produces.” “Teachers don’t go into teaching to be recognized, they go into it for other, much more altruistic reasons,” he said. “It’s nice when someone says ‘You’ve done a good job.’”

Justin Thomas Cobis ’06Ed, ’07GEd came to honor one of his mentors who was an award recipient and said the event was just another example of the close ties forged by the University. “The School of Education is a big family here,” he said. “As much as you can give back after you graduate you should. I received a well-rounded education here at St. John’s.” Carolyn Reres ’62Ed, ’66GEd agreed that her time spent at St. John’s left a lasting impression on her.  “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “I met people on the registration line who are still my friends to this day.  The professional education I received was absolutely fantastic.”

The evening ended with closing remarks from Bill Lipson, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, The School of Education.