September 19, 2018
Before an audience of students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D., President of St. John’s, delivered his fourth annual State of the University Address, setting an upbeat and positive tone as he outlined his vision for the University for the 2018–19 academic year and beyond.
“Let me say it clearly,” he said, “the state of St. John’s University is strong, stable, and remains true to its mission as a Catholic and Vincentian University.”
The address, which focused on the theme, “Building a Culture of Inclusion, Partnership, and Change,” was delivered from Marillac Hall Auditorium on the Queens, NY, campus, and streamed online.
Dr. Gempesaw highlighted the accomplishments of the University over the past year, announced new initiatives, and articulated his vision for the future of St. John’s as the University approaches its 150th anniversary in the year 2020.
Citing new and unprecedented challenges in higher education, the President said, “We at St. John’s must strive to be proactive in our response to this rapidly evolving higher education environment.”
The President announced that the University enrolled a first-year class of approximately 3,100 students this fall—the largest of any Catholic college or university in the nation. For many local Catholic high schools, he indicated, St. John’s is the number one destination for graduating seniors.
The Class of 2022 is an academically gifted one, with a mean SAT score of approximately 1175—the highest in three years—and an average grade point average of 90. “This year’s class also includes 13 valedictorians and eight salutatorians,” the President said.
In addition to being well prepared from an academic standpoint, the class is diverse, and it hails from 55 countries, 37 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. “Our University already mirrors the demographics of New York City,” he said, “and what America increasingly will be in the future.”
Retention and graduation of students should be the University’s priority and shared responsibility, Dr. Gempesaw noted, adding that over the past four years St. John’s retention rate improved to close to 83 percent, a 4.6 percentage point increase from previous years. “This means an additional 130–140 students are retained annually and hopefully they will graduate in 4–6 years,” observed Dr. Gempesaw.
“I challenge all of us, as members of the St. John’s community, to make every effort to help retain and graduate our students,” he said.
The career placement rate—the percentage of graduates who are either employed or pursuing a graduate degree six months after graduation—is also indicative of student success. In 2017, St. John’s graduating class posted a rate of 94.3 percent, up from 86.2 percent in 2011.
Dr. Gempesaw introduced Nada M. Llewellyn, Esq., Chief Diversity Officer, Associate Vice President for the Office of Human Resources, and Deputy General Counsel, who provided an update on the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which was created during the summer of 2018. The new office will promote an academically enriching and supportive climate that allows all members of the community to thrive and succeed.
Ms. Llewellyn acknowledged that while the University cannot control what takes place beyond the gates of St. John’s, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that students feel welcome on campus. “What we can do,” she said, “is create a campus community that examines itself and actively counters social injustices in an ongoing way.”
The Inclusivity Resource Center, she announced, will open in late September as a space for “authentic and informed” student dialogue. She also highlighted several other initiatives of the new office, including the Academic Center for Equity and Inclusion, which will promote inclusive teaching and learning.
Dr. Gempesaw noted that exceptional faculty ensure the success of St. John’s students. “Since fall of 2014, we have hired 182 new faculty members,” he said. “This coming year, we plan to hire 38 more.” Of the 43 new faculty hired in 2018, 60 percent were female, and over 50 percent were people from historically underrepresented populations in higher education.
The President also gave updates on new laboratories and technology upgrades on campus, including the new Media Arts & Design Lab, which will support programs in digital media, animation, art and design, advertising, and journalism, and the Technology Commons, which will focus on eSports, virtual reality technology, and 3D printing.
Support for St. John’s continues to expand. “The generosity of our alumni and friends and benefactors is a defining characteristic of the St. John’s community,” he said. “During this past year, gifts to the University totaled more than $27 million, an increase of $5 million over the previous year and a record amount for the University.” The President also previewed a major gift to the School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science—the largest single gift given to the University.
Dr. Gempesaw closed the address by thanking the University community for its enduring commitment and dedication.
“I can assure all of you that together we will continue to meet the mission set by our founders 148 years ago to provide an excellent education for all people, especially those most in need,” he said. “Because, we are St. John’s.”
Watch the President's 2018 State of the University Address.