May 1, 2025
Founded in 1968, the St. John’s University President’s Society is the highest honor society its students can aspire to. Members serve as ambassadors who support the President at various events and functions, and countless students have used the opportunity to connect with the University’s most successful and prestigious alumni. Membership can often serve as a springboard for a promising future.
On April 26, the President’s Society welcomed 22 new members, including five student-athletes, during its 58th annual Induction Ceremony at the D’Angelo Center on the Queens, NY, campus. Outgoing members were also celebrated for their distinguished service.
“The overwhelming spirit of the evening is gratitude,” noted University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., during his welcoming remarks.
Fr. Shanley stressed that the organization’s primary mission is to represent St. John’s, particularly to high-level donors who are critical for maintaining the University’s commitment to excellence. “We carefully choose the students who become members, and it takes hours upon hours because there are many applications and much work that needs to be done.”
He added, “It’s an investment that’s worth the time, because we’ve asked you to represent St. John’s. We try to choose students from every walk of this campus, from every School and College, because we have an incredible, rich diversity. That is one of our strengths, and our donors need to see that.”
Fr. Shanley explained how important it is that donors see a return on their investment. “And that is you,” he said to the new members. “That’s who they want to interact with to see that the investment they’ve made in St. John’s is turning out the amazing people who become members of the President’s Society. You help to validate what it is that we ask people to invest in.”
Outgoing member and Interdisciplinary Business major Daniel Sánchez shared reminiscences with the gathering. “My experience in the President’s Society has been nothing short of extraordinary. I vividly remember last year’s induction ceremony. Brimming with pride, we were thrilled to be filling the shoes of those who wore these sharp blue suits. There’s a unique magic about this night. Let yourself feel every moment.”
He added, “As a member of the President’s Society, you will accompany Fr. Shanley and other University leaders at special events. Each one will leave a mark on your memory.”
Daniel stressed the notion of engagement with new members. “Show up at events with a genuine curiosity to learn. Ask questions. Listen. When assigned to a guest, ask yourself, ‘What can I learn from this person?’ Every encounter is an opportunity to represent the University and grow as a person.”
Alumni speaker Daniel Haynes ’20CCPS, ’23GCCPS, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Turning Words into Windows, LLC, and a native of Guyana, told the gathering that as a member of the President’s Society, “I found my voice, my calling, and a deep sense of community. That’s what St. John’s gives you—opportunity, support, and purpose.”
He added, “Now, it’s our turn—as alumni—to ensure that this community continues to thrive. The President’s Society Alumni Chapter exists for you. It’s a way to remain connected to one another, to mentor those who come after us, and to continue living out the mission of St. John’s in our personal and professional lives.”
Incoming members expressed their excitement and enthusiasm at the prospect of representing St. John’s at high-level gatherings. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology major Justin Berman explained, “This was the perfect opportunity for me because on campus I’ve had plenty of opportunities to represent people within my major. I wanted something that would allow me to represent the student body on a wider level.”
Yechao Li, a Legal Studies major and a member of the Red Storm Reserve Officer Training Corps Battalion (ROTC), observed, “I’ve been involved with diverse programs, such as the ROTC, and seen firsthand how much time, effort, and funding the University puts into its programs. I benefit from that, so I want to give back. I love St. John’s for its focus on student programs.”
Sarah M. Rao, an International Management major, loves the University’s Vincentian mission of service. “I want to spread that further. I have friends who were in the President’s Society when I was a freshman, and I looked up to them. I want to be an example to students coming into the University, and current students.”
Business Analytics major Ezgi Yasar stressed, “I really love St. John’s. It has brought me so many things. I’m an athlete. I’m in a great College and clubs. I want to give back. I also want to network with successful alumni donors to St. John’s. That really matters to me.”
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