150 Reasons to Love St. John's: A School Year to Remember
For the St. John’s University community, the 2020–21 academic year was truly a lesson in perseverance.
From our triumphant return to campus last August, to our virtual Commencement Exercises last week, our students, faculty, alumni, administrators, and staff answered the age-old Vincentian question, “What must be done?” in myriad ways.
Here’s just a small sample of what Johnnies have been up to over the past year:
Undergraduate and graduate students worked on the front lines to battle the pandemic, often putting the health and safety of others before their own.
Reason 29.
St. John’s alumni supported the community during the pandemic, whether fighting COVID-19 head on, or in other important ways.
Reason 30.
Our students found opportunity in the adversity of COVID-19 and gained valuable, real-world experience through remote internships.
Reason 31.
Proving that Johnnies are always up for a challenge, our Pharmacy students took home top prize in the Industry Pharmacists Organization’s Case Competition last year.
Reason 32.
Speaking of competition, the Red Storm made headlines this season as Mike Anderson, Head Coach of the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team, took home BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors, while guard Posh Alexander was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Year.
Reason 33.
Student-athletes are committed to making a difference on and off the court, as evidenced by the newly-established Red Storm Basketball Social Impact Scholarship. The brainchild of players Greg Williams Jr.and David Caraher, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a student based on demonstrated financial need and academic accomplishment.
Reason 34.
Another new scholarship, the Synchrony Scholarship Fund, supports St. John’s students from historically underrepresented populations.
Reason 35.
It’s no wonder that St. John’s has been ranked the top four-year Catholic institution in the nation on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s list of “Colleges with the Highest Student-Mobility Rates.”
Reason 36.
Another bright moment took place when NYC’s first dose of the eagerly anticipated COVID-19 vaccine was given to a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. The historic shot was prepared by St. John’s alumnus Anthony J. Longo, Sr., Pharm.D. ’92P, Director of Pharmacy and Clinical Services.
Reason 37.
If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that the need for health-care professionals continues to grow. Fittingly, the University announced it will build a new Health Science Center on the Queens, NY, campus.
Reason 38.
St. John’s has also applied to the New York State Education Department for approval to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
