Birthday Greetings Launch 150th Anniversary Celebration

September 5, 2020

September 5 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of St. John’s University. The year-long sesquicentennial celebration with the theme “Faithful to the Mission” will be observed by the global St. John’s family through June 2021. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced the University to think creatively about what events, programs, and activities will look like during this milestone occasion. Therefore, the 150thanniversary celebration launches with the debut of this special birthday greetings compilation video.

The call to action to produce this digital birthday video resulted in the submission of so many birthday greetings from friends – both old and new – that each Wednesday, from September 16, 2020, through June 16, 2021, the University will post new video messages from a different member of the St. John’s community. A varied assemblage of current students, faculty, devoted alumni, members of the Vincentian community, other leaders of the Catholic Church, and a certain beloved Hall of Fame basketball coach are just some of the luminaries who have already paused to reflect on the century-and-a-half legacy of St. John’s and its impact on their lives.

All members of the St. John’s family—past, present, and future—are invited to be part of this special celebration that has been 150 years in the making. You may share your very own birthday greeting, Johnny memory, legacy reflection, or story of faith and mission, by uploading them here. The 150th Anniversary Task Force and the broader St. John’s community would love to hear from you!

To join the effort, post your own photo on social media using #StJohns150. Be sure to wear St. John’s apparel, include a photo taken on campus, or hold up a sign with a birthday message. You can even download some anniversary digital swag to show off your St. John’s pride. The more you post with #StJohns150 on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram, the bigger our celebration!

Be sure to follow @StJohnsU on social media for the latest 150th-anniversary celebration news.

If you have questions about the 150thAnniversary Celebration, please contact

St. John’s University
150th Anniversary Celebration
Office of University Events
University Center, Garden Level
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
Phone: 718-990-1358
Email: [email protected]