St. John’s to Celebrate Mission and Service During Founder’s Week

St. John’s University will pay tribute to the enduring legacy of St. Vincent de Paul and his life of service to the disadvantaged with eight days of mission-focused events during Founder’s Week, from Monday, September 22, to Monday, September 29.

The  2025 Founder’s Week theme is “Be Vincentian: Set Your Heart on Fire.” Highlights include the annual Vincentian Convocation on September 25, when the University will recognize six honorees who embody the charitable ideals of St. Vincent, and University Service Day on September 27, when the St. John’s community joins together to serve those in need.

“University Service Day is a great opportunity for the entire St. John’s community—especially new students—to come together and put service, one of our core values, in action,” said Alexia Dolamakian ’19TCB, Assistant Director of Social Justice, The Institute for Vincentian Impact and lead organizer of Service Day.

Vincentian Convocation honorees include Manouchkathe Cassagnol, Pharm.D., Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, who will receive the Vincentian Mission Award, which is given to a member of the faculty, staff, or administration who has made a demonstrated commitment to the University’s mission. Dr. Cassagnol is Executive Director of the Academic Center for Equity and Inclusion.

Others who will be honored at the Convocation include

• MaryAnn Dantuono, Esq. ’83L, Ladies of Charity AIC-USA member and a representative of the International Association of Charities (AIC) to the United Nations. Ms. Dantuono will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal, which is given to a Catholic laywoman who embodies the values and vision of Mother Seton (1774–1821), who was canonized in 1975.
   
• Ralph McCloud, Senior Fellow at the Washington, DC-based NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Mr. McCloud will receive the St. Vincent de Paul Medal, which is given to a Catholic layman who embodies the ideals and values of St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660), who was canonized in 1737.
   
• The housing development agency Habitat for Humanity, New York City and Westchester County will receive the Caritas Medal, which is given for service to the poor in the metropolitan area. Chief Executive Officer Sabrina Lippman will accept the award.
   
• Adhikaar for Social Justice and Human Rights will receive the Frédéric Ozanam Award, which is given to an organization that blends quality service with effective and respectful concern for the poor and needy. Adhikaar, which means rights in the Nepalese language, is a women-led social justice advocate for Nepali-speaking immigrants and refugees based in Woodside, NY. The award will be accepted by Meenu Gorkhali, Senior Director of Operations, Human Resources, and Finance. 
   
• The Congregation of the Mission Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations will receive the International Medal for its contributions to the global Vincentian community. The organization’s former Representative to the UN, James Claffey, will accept the award.

Founder’s Week begins on September 22 with the Vincentian Heritage Lecture, delivered by the Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, NJ. Other activities include a Vincentian Mission Walking Tour on September 23; Mass on the Queens, NY, campus on September 26, one day before the feast day of St. Vincent; and luncheons for faculty, administrators, and staff on September 29.     

University Service Day activities will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on September 27. Participants should check in at 8 a.m. at St. Thomas More Plaza to receive a T-shirt, meet their service site leader, and enjoy a light breakfast. A ceremony on St. Thomas More Plaza and a rally on the Great Lawn follow before groups embark to the service sites.

Students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni are invited to register for service opportunities in advance. Those interested can complete the interest form to receive updates about specific opportunities.