September 15, 2018
St. John's University's 148th annual Commencement Exercises, held in May and June, exemplified excellence—and highlighted an enduring commitment to service—as families and friends gathered to commemorate the accomplishments of the Class of 2018.
Queens Undergraduate Commencement Exercises
More than 1,800 seniors received their bachelor's degrees at the Queens, NY undergraduate ceremony, held on May 20 on the University's Great Lawn. "We have 138 students who are graduating today who have proudly served in the military; among our graduates are 59 student-athletes; there are also 119 international students from 38 countries and 511 students have studied abroad. But what is very impressive," Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., said, "is that 476 students will graduate with honors and 19 undergraduates are graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA."
His Eminence Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, D.D., S.Th.D, Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila, delivered a powerful Commencement Address to more than 14,000 people including graduates, their families, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, members of the Vincentian community, and others at the Queens undergraduate ceremony, stressing to graduates to "meet the needs of humanity." Cardinal Tagle was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University. Cardinal Tagle told the Class of 2018 they will miss the University. "But remember, the world you walk in has many 'missing persons.' Encounter them, build bridges, touch their hands, listen to their stories, have communion with them."
Staten Island Commencement Exercises
At the Staten Island ceremony, held on May 19 on the Queens campus due to inclement weather, nearly 230 undergraduate and graduate students received their degrees. Lt. General Michael A. Rocco ’83CBA, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps, addressed the students and their families with the theme of “mission first, people always.” Lt. General Rocco is the highest-ranking alumnus serving in active duty in the United States Marine Corps.
Graduate Commencement Exercises
The University also conferred more than 1,500 degrees to graduate students from St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The School of Education, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, the College of Professional Studies, and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences from May 14 to 18. Graduates heard speeches from leaders in business, academia, and the sciences in five individual ceremonies.
The School of Law Commencement Exercises
Degrees were conferred upon 227 J.D. and 63 LL.M. candidates at the St. John's School of Law Commencement Exercises held on June 3 on the Queens campus. Preet Bharara, Distinguished Scholar in Residence, NYU School of Law, and former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, served as Commencement speaker and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Mr. Bharara called on St. John's graduates to seize opportunities to lead, and be honorable, courageous, respectful, and true to their word. "The virtue of serving the public cannot be overstated," he said.
Rome Commencement Exercises
On a day that marked the 200th anniversary of the Vincentian order departing the city of Rome to establish a new community in the United States, St. John's celebrated the 20th annual Commencement Exercises at its international campus in the Eternal City. The ceremony, held on June 12, saw 40 graduate degrees conferred at the Rome campus.