September 4, 2018
With help from parents, siblings, and student volunteers, more than 3,300 freshmen, transfer, and returning students moved into their residences at St. John’s University’s Queens and Staten Island, NY, campuses in late summer, culminating with Move-In Weekend, September 1–2.
Move-In Weekend marks the start of the fall semester and is the central event in St. John’s Red Carpet Welcome—a month of programs and activities designed to help new students make the transition to college life, and returning students become reacquainted with the St. John’s campus community.
On Saturday, September 1, the University welcomed the 1,384 new students who checked into DaSilva, Donovan, or Hollis Hall, the three residence halls on the Queens campus designated for first-year students.
In the Residence Village, the newest members of the St. John’s community and their families were greeted by Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President of St. John’s. “Welcome to St. John’s,” he said. “We all look forward to seeing you here on campus.”
Earlier in the week, first-year students and transfer students settled into the Staten Island campus’s garden-style apartments, while returning undergraduate and graduate students arrived at both campuses on Sunday, September 2. New international students, Queens campus transfer students, and students attending St. John’s School of Law moved in between August 9 and 29.
“The beginning of the academic year is an exhilarating time on campus,” said Kathryn T. Hutchinson, Ph.D., Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs. “We welcome our students from near and far who have become part of the St. John’s family. We look forward to watching them grow as members of the community, and we are excited to share in the many successes they will achieve.”
“I’ve only been on campus for a short time, but it’s already beginning to feel like home,” said Mikaila Medeiros, a Legal Studies major from Cortland Manor, NY. “I was a little nervous getting ready to move in, but now that I am here, it’s all good.” Her father, Gil Jurado, was pleased to see his daughter settle in so quickly. “I was very impressed with how smoothly this entire process has been,” he said. “It takes a lot of the stress out of the experience.”
First-year student Leyla Villa, from North Haledon, NJ, was already familiar with St. John’s when she arrived on campus, as her sister, Allison, is a senior in the Television and Film program. “Her experience at St. John’s is one of the reasons I decided to attend,” said Leyla, who is undeclared. “My sister started out as a Biology major before she switched to the TV and Film program. It’s great that students here have so many options.”
For parents, such as Keith and Bonnie Cropper, of Hanover, MD, sending a child to college is a bittersweet experience. “We are excited to see our daughter, Makayla, head off to school, but we will miss her, too,” Ms. Cropper said. “She loves New York, and we are happy she is living on such a beautiful campus.”
Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor, Biological Sciences, extended greetings on behalf of University faculty. “We are thrilled to welcome our new students to St. John’s University,” he said. “The faculty and I are excited to join them on their academic journey as they work to successfully achieve their goals.”
Once settled into their Queens campus residences, students were invited to a block party Saturday evening in the Residence Village, which featured food, music, and fun activities. Later that night, the Great Lawn was the site of a glow carnival with laser tag, live music, and glow-in-the-dark games. At the Staten Island campus, students enjoyed an outdoor movie on Sunday at dusk.
On the morning of Tuesday, September 4, new and transfer students attended the New Student Convocation in Carnesecca Arena, a time-honored tradition and celebration that formally welcomes students into academic life at St. John's.
For Eric M. Finkelstein, Director of Residence Life, Move-In Weekend is a favorite annual event. “You can sense the excitement as students unpack their cars, meet new friends, and set up their rooms,” he said. “This is a milestone moment for students and their families, and a proud tradition here at St. John’s.”