May 22, 2026
The School of Education held its Graduate Commencement Exercises in conjunction with the Tobin College of Business on Friday, May 15, at Carnesecca Arena on the Queens Campus of St. John’s University.
Dr. Simon Møller, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered the welcome address. Tanisha Guirand sang the National Anthem, followed by an invocation from Rachel Burgos, Residence Campus Minister for Vincentian Outreach, Wellness, and Leadership. University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., delivered the graduation remarks. Dr. Møller then introduced the commencement speaker, Robert Adams, a double alumnus and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Operations and Services Group at Fidelity Investments. Mr. Adams offered three charges for our graduates:
- Dream Big - your life is the one story you get to write.
- Don't Fear Failure - it’s only really a failure if you don't learn the lesson.
- Never Compromise Your Values or Your Integrity - your character controls what people say about you when you're not in the room.
The School of Education then gave awards to our top doctoral students:
- Geisert Dissertation Award – Andrew Steven McIntosh and Edward John Storck
- ICS Seton Dissertation Award – Gerard Buckley
- Outstanding Dissertation Award in Literacy – Lindsay McDermott
- Outstanding Dissertation Award in Curriculum – James Fuller
School of Education faculty and administrators, plus the students’ family and friends, then proudly watched 48 EdD/PhD candidates, 50 Advanced Certificate candidates, and 139 MSED candidates walk across the stage.
“This is always the best time of the year at St. John’s” said James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean, The School of Education. “We are immensely proud of the work our students do and it is with great anticipation that we now watch what they will accomplish in the years to come on behalf of the people of New York City and beyond.”
Congratulations to all our graduates!
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