Commencement Celebrates Gratitude, New Beginnings, and Lasting Connections

On a picture-perfect Sunday with a clear, blue sky and radiant sunshine, St. John’s University held its 155th annual Undergraduate-Level Commencement Exercise on May 18 on the Great Lawn of the Queens, NY, campus.

More than 2,100 undergraduate degrees were conferred at the ceremony for students attending the Queens and Manhattan, NY, campuses, and for those earning their degrees through online coursework.

During his welcoming remarks, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s, told graduates that the virtue of gratitude is a prerequisite for finding meaning in one’s life. “One mark if we have educated you well is if gratitude is your dominant emotion today. My hope and prayer for you is that is what your day is about.”

Fr. Shanley added, “You have been given a tremendous gift—a St. John’s education.”

Gratitude is a form of living truthfully, Fr. Shanley stressed, and acknowledging our dependence on God and others. “The real test of gratitude is not what you feel today,” he stressed, “but what you do with the rest of your life.”

The most important mark of gratitude, Fr. Shanley said, “is going to be your own imitation of your benefactors, in your giving to others of your own time, talent, and treasure for their needs, and not expecting anything in return. It is the Catholic and Vincentian tradition to educate students who will serve the needy out of love and with generosity.”

Commencement speaker Jim McCann, Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., spoke to graduates about the roots of his success. Mr. McCann also received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree during the ceremony.

“I don’t have a tidy résumé, a 4.0 GPA, and a crystal-clear path for what my career would’ve been. My story is a little messier,” Mr. McCann admitted. “College for me was seven of the best years of my life,” he joked.

Eventually, Mr. McCann would run a home for teenage boys in Rockaway Beach, NY, ironically named St. John’s Home for Boys. While personally fulfilling, it was difficult to make ends meet, he stressed. Soon after, Mr. McCann, possessing no real business experience, but filled with entrepreneurial spirit, bought a flower shop in Manhattan.

“There was no master plan,” he explained. “I didn’t have an M.B.A. I didn’t know anything about flowers, but I was curious, hardworking, and knew I could learn. So, I used my power and took that opportunity.”

That one shop evolved into a nationwide franchise. “I was able to create thousands of jobs and bring smiles to millions of people every year.”

Mr. McCann told graduates that what they believe about themselves becomes their reality. “That’s called a self-fulfilling prophecy, and it goes two ways. If you can’t imagine yourself doing something good, changing the world, and making a difference for your family and community, you won’t.” However, envisioning that reality and striving to bring it to fruition will make it happen, he explained.

“Relationships are everything,” Mr. McCann stressed. “I’ve spent my whole life helping people connect. Relationships are the foundation of every successful life—not just personally, but professionally. The people you surround yourself with will influence you more than you believe: how you grow and who you become. Stay connected, stay curious, stay generous. Be deliberate about your relationships.”

During the ceremony, an additional four honorary degrees were also conferred upon the following individuals:

Msgr. James J. Kelly, Esq. ’80L, Pastor Emeritus, St. Brigid Church, Doctor of Humane Letters

Kathleen Meehan ’75Ed, ’79GEd, retired Senior Deputy Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Department of Athletics, Doctor of Pedagogy

Sr. Margaret Mary O’Doherty, O.P., Dominican Sister of Sparkill, Dominican Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary, Doctor of Humane Letters

Lewis Rice, Jr. ’74SVC, Senior Vice President of Global Security and Trademark Protection, The Estēe Lauder Companies, Inc., and Board of Trustees Emeritus, St. John’s University, Doctor of Laws

On May 16, the University conferred graduate degrees to students in four of its Schools and Colleges: St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Steven J. Farella ’77SVC, who spoke at the morning graduate ceremony, is the founding CEO of the Havas Media Network. The Farella Innovation Laboratory, a hands-on design and test space where St. John’s students learn to develop new ideas and products, is dedicated in his name.

“College did exactly what my parents thought it would do,” Mr. Farella told graduates. “It inspired me to dare to be different, take chances, explore what is possible, and be successful in a different way than anybody else in my family. So, who am I? I am you. I am a typical St. John’s graduate.”

He added, “Because you attended St. John’s, I know you have what it takes. You have a supportive and caring family, Vincentian values, and a drive to succeed. A good education focuses on positive principles to help round out the individual and create a moral person and a good citizen and Christian.”

Brian V. Breheny, Esq. ’90CBA, ’96L, Partner and Cohead of US Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting and Compliance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Corporate Governance, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP and Affiliates, was scheduled to speak at the afternoon ceremony, but his flight was canceled. Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., Dean, and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, read his remarks.

“I can tell you, unequivocally, that none of your hopes and dreams will come true without hard work, determination, focus, and the love and support of good friends and family.”

He added, “It was here on this campus that I was instilled with the confidence to know that I was prepared to succeed at anything I put my mind to and not limit my aspirations. I was shown the path by so many successful alumni who came before me and truly excelled in life.”

Student speaker Steiner Williams, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Management, said that through St. John’s unwavering commitment to global education, “I have learned that education extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. I have seen it come alive in the streets of Vietnam and the lecture halls of Ireland, in the ancient alleys of Paris and beneath the vast skies of Rome. Experiences like these have instilled in us a universal truth— that the world is not divided by borders, but united by the human spirit.”

He added, “As graduates of St. John’s, we leave here not just as scholars in our fields, but as citizens of the world, ready to bridge divides, foster understanding, and lead with purpose. Our strength lies in our diversity. We are a community of cultures, languages, faiths, and perspectives, coming from 46 states and 119 countries. In every classroom, every late-night study session, every shared meal, we were surrounded by people who challenged our thinking and broadened our view of the world. That’s the beauty of St. John’s: it’s a place that doesn’t just educate you, but elevates by connecting you to the world through the people walking beside you.”

Several graduates shared their most treasured memories of their St. John’s experience. Accounting major Vincent Marino observed that he would miss the community he has built with friends and faculty over the last four years. “All of them played a huge role in me becoming me,” he stressed. “I’m going to carry them with me for the rest of my life.”

Vincent’s parents and brother are St. John’s alumni, but that was not the only reason he chose to attend. “It was also the fact that I really felt at home here. It felt like a place I could really advance myself—and I did.”

Christopher Barrera, an International Management major, said, “My time at St. John’s was so special. It just flew by.”

Christopher’s cousin attended St. John’s. “I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Christopher explained. “I saw how much he benefited from the experience.”

“It took longer than usual—seven years,” recalled Psychology major Essma Bagnola, who had two children during her studies here. “St. John’s was wonderful to me. It was the best place in the vicinity that offered me what I needed and they supported me in doing it. As a Catholic, the faith component of the school meant a lot to me as well.”

She added, “It has been a busy morning. The kids were crazy, but it is nap time now and we are eager to get home.”

Journalism major Dea Hoxha said, “Looking back at the past four years, I see how much the experience has shaped me as a person, and the skills I have obtained will stick with me forever. I plan to move back to Kosovo, where I am originally from, and use the knowledge I have gotten at St. John’s to build a life and career for myself there.”

“I really loved meeting people from all over the world,” Business Analytics major Timothy Stopyra recalled. “The diversity of St. John’s in incredible. I came from a small town in the Poconos with a very similar population. Meeting a lot of new people and having that access to New York City was the big draw for me.”

The next phase of Timothy’s journey began two weeks prior when he started his job as account manager for a sports media company. “I couldn’t have done it without St. John’s.”

Finance major Ryan Moon transferred to St. John’s in the second semester of his first year because he felt like something was missing at his original school. “The reputation of Tobin really persuaded me,” he explained. “The campus life here was great. I built a great social group while learning at the same time.”

Eleanor Somwaru, a Marketing major, said, “I loved the atmosphere on campus. That’s what I will miss the most. When it’s nice out, everyone is sitting on the Great Lawn, having a good time. It’s so lively. I loved experiencing that.”

She added, “I was in the Thomas J. Cox, Jr. Honors Program, and that was a really great opportunity for me. I think it will really help me stand out.”

“I’ve gone to Catholic school my entire life and always admired St. John’s,” stressed Ihsan Iqbal, also a Finance major. “My sister went here as well, and I used to visit the campus with her. It felt so natural for me to come here.”

St. John’s University Commencement 2025 Photos and Videos

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