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The President's Newsletter

Vol. 4 | Issue 3 | May 2019

Letter from the President

Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D.

As another successful semester comes to a close, I proudly invite you to learn more about the many accomplishments and advances made at St. John’s University during the 2018–19 academic year. In this issue of The President’s Newsletter, you will read about how the University continues to make progress on our number one Strategic Priority: to ensure student success.

The spring semester at St. John’s University is a time of discovery and new beginnings. This is the season when we proudly host curious high school students engaged in their college search process, including more than 2,440 who participated in Accepted Student Days held at our Queens and Staten Island, NY, campuses. These students and their families had the chance to learn firsthand about the opportunities and possibilities that a St. John's education provides.

Members of the Class of 2019, anticipating Commencement, stand on the threshold of success. These accomplished students have been nurtured—and have grown and forged bonds with the larger family of St. John’s University. Like our proud alumni that have preceded them, they possess the universal characteristics of all St. John’s students: talent, resilience, and confidence. While they prepare to leave campus, they will always have a home at St. John’s.

As an institution of higher learning, we celebrate the success of our students, who are recipients of a life-changing Catholic and Vincentian education. Our graduates are a testament to a promise made and kept by the University for more than 149 years to provide quality education to young men and women.

An enduring home with family at St. John’s is what will be celebrated during the fourth annual Grand Alumni Homecoming Weekend scheduled for May 30 through June 2. I invite all alumni and friends of the University to revisit, reminisce, and renew their bond with the St. John's family as we celebrate alumni success.

I take great pride in the accomplishments of our students, staff, and strong alumni network that make St. John’s University the special place that it has always been. Please join me in celebrating all that we are—and all that we continue to achieve.

Sincerely,

Bobby Gempesaw signature

 

 

 

Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D.
President

    In This Issue

    Student playing esports on computers

    Investing in the Future: St. John’s Builds Community through Expanding World of eSports

    In the last 10 years, the phenomenon of eSports has taken hold of the video gaming world, evolving into a billion dollar industry featuring professionally organized competitions with large financial prizes often at stake.

    St. Augustine shot from below

    New Academic Programs Offered for 2019–20

    In a quest to offer students diverse fields of study to help prepare them for future professions, St. John’s will introduce six academic programs in the Fall 2019 semester that span several disciplines from computer science to international hospitality management.

    Daniel S. Glaser at podium

    Support for Student Success Affirmed at Fundraising Receptions

    Philanthropy fuels our efforts to ensure student success as our innovative faculty and talented athletic coaches inspire and lead our students in the classroom and on the playing fields. 

    Students throwing commencement caps in air

    Commencement Exercises Celebrate Student Success

    St. John’s University’s 149th academic year culminates in Commencement ceremonies featuring guest speakers representing business, public service, academia, education, the sciences, and the nonprofit sector.

    St. John’s students enjoy a break while working on a home for All Hands and Hearts–Smart Response

    St. John’s Students Spend Vacation on Immersion Trips and Service Plunges

    Winter break often provides an opportunity for college students to recharge their batteries after a busy semester. However, this past January, several groups of St. John’s students chose to forego rest and relaxation in order to serve and learn at various sites throughout the country.

    Record-Breaking Number of Visitors Flock to St. John’s Accepted Student Day

    Record-Breaking Number of Visitors Flock to St. John’s Accepted Student Day

    St. John’s University recorded the largest turnout in the history of Accepted Student Day when 2,292 students, along with their families, converged on the Queens, NY, campus on Saturday, April 6, to explore academic majors, innovative technology, state-of-the-art learning facilities, global programs, athletics, service opportunities, and many other offerings.

    L-R LaForce, Ottley, Diop, Anderson

    We Are New York’s Team

    A Growing List: Former Johnnies in Professional Baseball; New Softball Coach Earns First Victory; Fencing Wins First-Ever Gold in Saber at Nationals; Track and Field Sets New Mark at Millrose Games; and Mecara Bruce ’18TCB Named to Google Cloud Academic All-America® Team

    Group of students in stands holding St. John's flag

    Home Court Advantage: Men’s Basketball Sees Attendance Boost

    The St. John’s University Men’s Basketball team sold out all five of its BIG EAST home games at Carnesecca Arena, and seven of its last eight contests overall played on campus. 

    Street banner with St. John's University logo

    Spring at St. John's

    Read about the season’s happenings, which include a career fair, Caribbean Writer’s Series program, journalist lecture, parade, GOLD networking event, and much more. There is nothing like springtime at St. John’s!

    Upcoming Events

    State of the University Address
    Wednesday, September 11
    3:30–5 p.m.
    Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., President, delivers a presentation to the University community focusing on student success and outcomes, and recent University-wide progress and accomplishments.

    Vincentian Convocation
    Thursday, September 26
    4 p.m. 
    The Vincentian Convocation is the capstone event to the University's annual Founder's Week celebration.

    22nd Annual President's Dinner
    Friday, November 1
    6 p.m. 
    Proceeds from the University's premier fundraising gala fund scholarship support for students at St. John's.

    For information about these and other events, visit the St. John's website.