May 6, 2026
The United States gained 50 new citizens from 29 countries on April 24 when—for the first time in its history—St. John’s University’s School of Law hosted a naturalization ceremony at the Queens, NY, campus.
The hour-long ceremony recognized the 100th anniversary of the School of Law. It featured six presiding judges who are St. John’s Law alumni, and another keynote speaker—the Hon. Joseph F. Bianco—who was for many years a member of its adjunct faculty. Family and friends celebrated with the new citizens, who came from nations as diverse as Costa Rica, Greece, and Kazakhstan.
One of the new citizens—Sofia Bakogianni, Ph.D., originally from Greece and now living in New York, NY—is a molecular biologist researching breast cancer and related issues. She called officially becoming an American citizen one of the most transformational days of her life.
“Receiving my Ph.D. was an important milestone,” Dr. Bakogianni said. “Receiving my green card for permanent residency was another important milestone. But this is the greatest day for me and for all of us.”
Dr. Bakogianni was joined in celebration by Olga Sheldon, who was born in Kazakhstan but came to the United States as an exchange student at age 17. Ms. Sheldon lived for years with a sponsor family in Connecticut before graduating from college and beginning her career in graphic design. Her parents still live in her native country.
“I have lived in the US for a while, but I wanted my voice to be heard; I wanted to vote,” Ms. Sheldon said. “It is wonderful to live here as a resident, but you do not have the opportunity to select who is representing you.”
“I am looking forward to visiting my parents in Kazakhstan, this time with an American passport,” she added.
The Hon. James M. Wicks ’89J.D., US Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York and Adjunct Professor at St. John’s Law School, presided over the ceremony, held in the Belson Moot Court Room. It included moving, a capella renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Gabrielle N. Evañez and “God Bless America” by Celine Lawrence. Both Gabielle and Celine will graduate from St. John’s Law School this month.
After welcome remarks from Jelani Jefferon Exum, J.D., Dean of St. John’s Law School and Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith Professor of Law, the candidates for citizenship recited both the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Allegiance. They later received individual certificates of citizenship to the delight of the well-wishers in attendance.
“You all come from different places and stories, languages, and traditions,” Dean Exum told the candidates. “But today you are united by a shared commitment to the Constitution, to the idea of democracy, and to the responsibilities of new citizens. Your lives are transformed today, and your voice and civic participation will shape the life of this country.”
The ceremony was held in partnership with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. It marked the first time in the district’s 161-year history that it held a naturalization ceremony at a law school campus.
In addition to Magistrate Wicks, other judges in attendance included the Hon. P. Kevin Castel ’72SVC, ’75J.D., ’04HON, District Judge, Southern District of New York; the Hon. Sheryl P. Giugliano ’08J.D., ’10LL.M., US Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York; the Hon. Jil Mazer-Marino ’90J.D., US Bankruptcy Judge, Eastern District of New York; the Hon. Anne Y. Shields ’84J.D., US Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of New York; and the Hon. Mary Kay Vyskocil ’83J.D., US District Judge, Southern District of New York.
In his keynote address, Judge Bianco, US Circuit Judge, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, called on the citizens to celebrate their new country, adding that “we are a better nation because you are here.”
“As you leave today, be proud that you are an American,” Judge Bianco said. “The pages of your new life are blank, and you can write them as you want.”
Judge Bianco also reminded the new Americans not to forget their birth countries. “That is an extremely important part of your identity,” he said. “You are not losing that identity as much as you are adding to it. This is now as much your country as it is our country.”