July 2, 2026
St. John’s University’s annual Great Lawn Summer Concert struck a new chord on June 30 when, for the first time in its 26-year history, the performance was headlined by an alumnus.
Deanna Carroll, leader of the American Soul Band, graduated from St. John’s more than a decade ago. Together with her 13-piece ensemble, Ms. Carroll belted out a series of Motown and R&B classics in a memorable musical experience for guests of all ages.
“I was thrilled and delighted to perform at my alma mater,” said Ms. Carroll, who graduated with a degree in Communication Arts. “Once I got out there on stage and realized where I was, I said, ‘Oh my goodness, I am really performing at St. John’s, where I went to college.’ ”
The 26th annual concert brought an estimated 400 music lovers from the St. John’s community and beyond to the Great Lawn for a show unlike any in years past. Traditionally a classical concert, this year’s event featured music from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s. Ms. Carroll’s band performed timeless hits from the Motown era for over 90 minutes, leaving concertgoers “Dancing in the Street.”
Or dancing on the Great Lawn, as the case might be. The band’s show, called “The Great American Soul Book,” featured nearly 30 songs, including Motown hits “The Tears of a Clown,” by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; “Respect,” by Aretha Franklin; Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”; and a medley of tunes from the Jackson Five.
The pivot to a Motown tribute was inspired by the country’s celebration of its 250th birthday on July 4, according to Paul Lazauskas ’01CCPS, ’08M.B.A., Associate Director, Office of Alumni Relations. “We wanted to showcase a distinctly American style of music,” Mr. Lazauskas said. “We also wanted to introduce a different genre that would resonate strongly with our alumni audience—something lively, engaging, and familiar to a broad range of attendees.”
The lively concert opened with a rousing version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States, the first of several times the rapt crowd was brought to its feet.
Ms. Carroll, who toured as Diana Ross in the musical Lady Supreme: A Diana Ross Experience, brought a rich and powerful voice to the Great Lawn, even mixing in a few hits from the 1970s disco era. The band’s costume changes delighted the crowd, particularly those not old enough to recall the shimmering sequins of Saturday Night Fever days.
“We wanted to take the audience on a musical journey through Motown, the disco era of the ’70s, and even into the ’80s,” Ms. Carroll explained.
Among those attending from the Queens community was 100-year-old Arthur Grabiner of Flushing, NY, a US Navy veteran who fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II, including at the Battle of Okinawa. “I am delighted to celebrate America’s 250th at St. John’s,” Mr. Grabiner said. “I am especially grateful to St. John’s for continuing to honor the legacy of service, sacrifice, and valor of our nation’s defenders.”
The evening began with a preconcert barbecue for alumni, including members of The Loughlin and McCallen Society, in support of Hearts on Fire: The Campaign for St. John’s, an initiative to strengthen the University through student scholarships, academic excellence, and capital improvements.
Admission to the concert was free and open to the public. On a lovely summer evening, guests brought lawn chairs and blankets—as well as their dancing shoes, just as Ms. Carroll hoped.
Walter Smith ’80SJC, ’85M.B.A. made the trip to the Queens, NY, campus from Oyster Bay, NY, to celebrate with fellow Loughlin Society members. “I am here with a handful of mathematics majors,” he said. “We had planned to get together in the summer, and this is a fun event.”
Friends Barbara Kaiser ’69Ed of Hicksville, NY, and Diane Boehle of Huntington, NY, experienced the summer concert for the first time. Ms. Kaiser’s late husband Thomas Kaiser ’69SJC was a cousin of legendary Red Storm baseball Coach Jack Kaiser ’49SJC.
“I had never been to one of the concerts and always wanted to come,” Ms. Kaiser said. “I have heard it is more like a homecoming.”
“Plus, we like this kind of music,” added Ms. Boehle, whose late husband Carl Boehle ’70SJC graduated from St. John’s.