Welcome to St. John’s University!
For more than 148 years, St. John’s University has educated the sons and daughters of immigrants. Founded in 1870, the University was established by the Vincentians at the request of the first Bishop of Brooklyn to provide higher education to a growing immigrant population. We are proud of this tradition which fosters openness and respect for every person and equal opportunity to attain a college education. As such, it is not surprising that St. John’s is among the most diverse national universities in the country.
St. John’s University instills in its students not only the desire for knowledge and pursuit of academic excellence but also the compassion to serve others—especially those most in need—following the example of St. Vincent de Paul. Because of this mission, the University is noted for its academic service-learning programs, which combine academics with opportunities to cultivate faith while engaging in service.
At St. John’s, our primary goal is to ensure the success of our students. I encourage you to learn more about the University’s excellent programs, our beautiful campuses, and our outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators who support our more than 21,000 students and over 184,000 alumni.
I thank you for your interest in St. John’s University.
Sincerely,
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D.
President
A Message from the President to the University Community
On behalf of the entire St. John’s community, I wish to express the University’s solidarity with the victims and families of those who were killed or injured in the horrific shootings that took place at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday, March 15. The brutal attack that claimed the lives of 50 innocent people, including several children, is an attack on humanity.
As a Catholic and Vincentian University, St. John’s strongly condemns all forms of violence, extremism, intolerance, hate, bigotry and racism. When atrocities occur in any place of worship – whether it be at a mosque in New Zealand, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, or a Roman Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines –all people should unite to condemn such violence and support the victims.
Please join me in praying for our global family to come together in common humanity to rise above hatred and violence and work towards greater understanding and compassion for one another. May the victims and their families, and people of all faiths find comfort in the collective sympathy of our community that joins them in prayer and remembrance of the lives lost.
Initiatives
Strategic Priorities
In 2015, the University adopted the Strategic Priorities Action Plan as an institution-wide framework addressing our four strategic priorities. The Strategic Priorities Action plan was developed by the Strategic Priorities Working Group (SPWG) and the President’s Advisory Council (PAC). The Plan will guide and inform our decision making over the next five years and beyond.
Presidential Newsletter
The President’s Newsletter highlights major accomplishments of St. John's University, enrollment and advancement updates, and news of student and faculty success.
Special Events
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D, our University's 17th president, is always on campus engaging with students and faculty. Take a look at some recent major events of interest:
President's Society
Founded in 1968, the President’s Society honors those students who combine scholarship, integrity, maturity, and a well-rounded personality with University-wide awareness, participation and leadership, demonstrated by their significant contributions to the academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular life of St. John’s.