Annual Move-In Weekend Celebrates the Next Generation of Johnnies

Carrying boxes, carts, and an abundance of enthusiasm, 2,627 resident students moved into St. John’s University’s Residence Village over Labor Day weekend.

Students unpacked their belongings in what has become an end-of-summer celebration on the Queens, NY, campus. Almost 1,140 first-time, first-year students moved in Saturday—one day before returning students—and ahead of the September 3 start of fall semester classes. The University is experiencing higher than anticipated residence hall enrollment with marked growth in the secondary market (CT, NJ, MD, PA, and Mid-Atlantic region).

Students from 42 states and 62 countries checked into residence halls during the move-in period. Some came from nearby, such as Julianna Mistretta of Brooklyn, NY, who plans to study Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Others came from farther away, including Victor Hanzatian of Natick, MA, a basketball fan who intends to study interdisciplinary Business at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.     

“This is an elite basketball school,” Victor said. “I am extremely excited for this new part of my life.”

“I wanted to stay more or less local,” Julianna added. “Six people from my high school—Xaverian—are also coming here.” 

Many students said their first weekend on campus represented the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the University and the start of a journey toward a bright future. St. John’s planned a series of special student events for the first week on campus, including a First Night Out Block Party in the Residence Village that began after new-student move-in was complete on Saturday.  

Kaelyn Montesano, from Mohegan Lake, NY, said she planned to attend the block party and several other student events. She also has a core group of friends joining her at St. John’s this year.

“It is scary to start college, but exciting at the same time,” said Kaelyn, who plans to major in Legal Studies. “I know I made the right choice to come here. It is a good school with plenty of opportunities, and it helps that some of my best friends are coming here.”

Kaelyn’s mother, Karen Montesano, endorsed her daughter’s college choice. “I do not think she could have picked a better school to attend,” Ms. Montesano said. “I am very proud and excited for her, and now it is time for her to spread her wings.”        

This year marks 26 years since St. John’s first opened residence halls on the Queens campus, transforming the historically local, commuter campus into one with national and global appeal. Among the students moving into Hollis Hall was Mackenzie Crimmins of Garden City, NY, whose father, Brian Crimmins ’99SVC, ’01MS, is a double alumnus and former Red Storm Men’s Basketball team manager. Mackenzie is a third-generation Johnnie; her late grandfather, Robert Crimmins ’64UC was also an alumnus.

Mackenzie, who intends to study Sport Management, was delighted to enroll at her father’s and grandfather’s alma mater. “It’s nice to attend the same college as my father,” she said. “He can share his experiences and advice with me, and the memories he made here.”

“She is the first of my four children to leave the house, so it is a little emotional,” said Brian, Chief Operating Officer of Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY. “But she is close to home, and it is nice for her to know that I went here.”   

Streams of new students and their parents gathered in cars outside of Gate One beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday and continuing through the early afternoon. They were greeted by representatives from the Department of Public Safety and volunteers from the Office of Residence Life. Once moved in, students and parents could enjoy lunch at Montgoris Dining Hall.

Move-In Weekend is the busiest time of year for the Office of Residence Life. Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director, Office of Residence Life, told students to embrace this new experience and reminded them of all the support systems available during the transition to college life.

“Move-In Day is all about new beginnings, new friends to be made, new roommates to meet, and new opportunities that will unfold,” Dr. Bartlett said. “The entire St. John’s community comes together to help students begin anew each year with purpose as the next chapter in their life’s story begins.”

Celebratory music courtesy of the University Pep Band cascaded from the deck of the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center. A DJ and a series of photo stations helped families mark the day as special.

Mother Nature cooperated with a sun-splashed and trouble-free morning, inspiring Ayeh El-Sarbali, a first-year student from Trenton, NJ, who was moving into Hollis Hall. “I always wanted to be in New York City,” Ayeh said. “I remember going to a college fair at my high school and deciding that is where I want to go—and I am here today.”   

In the Residence Village courtyard, volunteers delivered information about extracurricular organizations and student resources, including counseling and wellness services; Campus Ministry programs; service opportunities; Student Government, Inc.; and more. 

Allison Friedman, moving into her dorm room from Sea Cliff, NY, said she was drawn to the beauty of St. John’s campus. “It is especially beautiful on a day like this,” she said.

Watch highlights from Fall 2025 Move-In Weekend.