May 1, 2018
On a near-perfect spring afternoon, students, faculty, staff, and administrators filled the Great Lawn of St. John’s Queens, NY, campus to enjoy the University’s annual Spring Fling Carnival on Thursday, April 26.
Spring Fling is the signature event of Spring Month, a celebration that marks the end of the semester for the University community.
“Spring Fling is one of the most popular events at St. John’s,” said Jodi Cox ’98C, ’02G, Director of Campus Life, Division of Student Affairs. “Our goal is to evoke a feeling of peace and happiness before the stress of finals is upon our students.”
This year’s eclectic mix of Spring Month events included a dance-a-thon, a fashion show, the Battle of the Voices competition, and Earth Fest.
Spring Fling transformed the heart of campus into a carnival setting—complete with rides, games of chance, food, and performers. Among the most popular attractions this year were a karaoke car, Ferris wheel, miniature golf course, and virtual reality stations.
For the first time at Spring Fling, students were given the opportunity to express their gratitude to University donors at the Thank-A-Donor table. There, students created handwritten thank-you notes thanking alumni and other benefactors for their generosity.
To Pharmacy student Hala Hassan, Spring Fling was a welcome respite from studying for her exams. “My finals start next week, so it’s great to have a chance to unwind a little bit before then,” she said. “This is my first year on campus, but I can see why everyone says this is the best event.”
Frank Ferraiuolo, a fifth-year Pharmacy student, has attended Spring Fling in each of his five years at St. John’s. “The rides are fun, but I really come for all the free food,” he said. “It’s a great way to relax. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I have four finals coming up and this gives me a chance to step outside and take a break from studying,” said Nasair Dublin, a Criminal Justice major from East Orange, NJ. “I’ve gone to a number of the Spring Month events this year—but this one is my favorite.”