October 03, 2008
James P. Pellow,
Ed.D., St. John’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, called the establishment of the University’s new
international location “the cornerstone of the premier Catholic
study abroad program in Rome” upon signing the long-term lease
agreement in the Eternal City in early December 2007. Now, 10
months later, Dr. Pellow; St. John’s President, Donald J.
Harrington, C.M.; members of the St. John’s Board of Trustees
and Board of Governors along with a host of supporters and
well-wishers, will be on hand to witness the University’s official
dedication of the 4-story, full city block building located just a
stone’s throw away from the Vatican.
Photo
Gallery
A Eucharistic Celebration at the new St. John’s Rome Campus (at Via Pompeo Magno, 21) has
been scheduled for Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. in Rome, Italy,
with principal celebrant His Eminence Franc Cardinal Rode
presiding. Following the Mass, there will be a procession to the
courtyard of the new campus where a Blessing and Dedication
Celebration will be administered by His Eminence Pio Cardinal
Laghi, and four other Cardinals, to officially christen the new
facility.
“St. John’s University proudly celebrates this important
milestone in our 138-year history,” said Rev. Harrington, C.M. “Our
presence in Rome is a commitment to our students to provide quality
study abroad opportunities as we continue to seek new locations to
combine academic enrichment and service-learning in different parts
of the world.”
The University’s new home is located in the well-known Prati
section of Rome and is owned by the Vincentian Community of priests
and brothers, the same faith-based community which founded St.
John’s in 1870 in the spirit and beliefs of St. Vincent de Paul.
Through this historical partnership, St. John’s will extend its
distinctive international service-learning program to Rome and
three other European cities, creating opportunities for hundreds of
students to study, to serve and to conduct field-based research on
solutions to poverty with experts in the field of international
social service.
“To our knowledge, this type of partnership is the first of its
kind between a Catholic university and the religious community that
founded it,” stated Dr. Pellow. “By living, learning and serving
along side our Vincentian family members in Rome, we unite students
with the missionary roots of our founder, St. Vincent, as they
pursue a rigorous academic program and rich culture emersion.
In addition to the opportunity of working with the broader
Vincentian family, students may work with such well-known
charitable organizations as Sant’Egidio and Caritas Diocesana di
Roma. This site will enable us to enhance our educational
mission while it strengthens international network of Vincentian
work. Moreover, it enhances our student’s academic
resumes.”
St. John’s first established a presence in Rome in 1995,
offering graduate degrees in the areas of Business Administration
and Government & Politics. Dott. Massimiliano Tomassini,
Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of the Rome Campus,
will oversee the 75,000 square foot facility that includes 13
classrooms, 200 resident beds, a chapel, courtyard and
administrative offices.
Classes in Rome began in September. Programs of study include
the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government and Politics which brings
students from around the world to analyze government issues in an
ideal setting. Areas of concentration include: International
Relations and International Law and Diplomacy
Certificate.
The University’s Tobin College of Business offers exciting
opportunities for intellectual exchange and practical experience
through its M.B.A degree program. Graduates succeed with a global
mindset and relevant experience in today's global marketplace.
Areas of concentration include: Finance, International Business and
Marketing Management.
Undergraduate studies are also available, giving St. John’s
students an amazing opportunity to experience Europe in a home
environment. Semester, Summer and Winter program information is
available by visiting the Office of Global Studies web site.
Italian and International press interested in attending the
Mass, Blessing and Tour of the new St. John’s campus can contact
Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations in
Rome, Italy at The Hotel Cicerone by calling +39 06 3576 Fax: +39
06 6880-1383 from October 6 through October 12. He can also be
contacted on his cell phone while in Italy at 1-347-613-2382 or by
e-mail at sciannad@stjohns.edu.
U.S. Media can contact Elizabeth Reilly, Assistant Director for
Media Relations by calling (718) 990-5789. Ms. Reilly can also be
e-mailed at reillye@stjohns.edu.