Annual Move-In Weekend Welcomes New and Returning Students to St. John’s

More than 2,400 St. John’s University students—including 1,000 first-year resident students—settled into their Queens, NY, campus homes on August 29–30 during the annual Move-In Weekend.

Streams of new Johnnies and their parents gathered in cars outside the University gates in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, and continued throughout the afternoon. There, they were greeted by representatives from the Department of Public Safety and volunteers from the Office of Residence Life, who together, helped make the process as efficient as possible.

“We pulled into the parking lot and everyone was cheering and welcoming us,” said first-year biology student Tiarra Poke of North Babylon, NY. “My dad got so excited that he was cheering right along with them. They made us feel at home from the moment we arrived."

New incoming students came from near and far; 34 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, are represented. Jared Suarez, a criminal justice major from Santa Monica, CA, had never visited St. John’s campus until Move-In Weekend. Together with his parents and older brother, they moved his belongings from a rented van to Hollis Hall, his home for the next nine months.

“When I was researching schools, St. John’s seemed to check every category,” Jared said. “I wanted to be in the Northeast at a school that has a religious identity.”

Ashley Bendickson, of Rochester, MN, was drawn to St. John’s New York City location and made her decision after visiting the campus on Accepted Student Day in April. Among her roommates in Donovan Hall is Hailey Law, a business student from Greenville, TN. 

“I always wanted New York City,” Ashley said. “It is such a pretty campus, and I appreciate the service opportunities that are possible here.”   

“From the very beginning of my search, I felt welcomed by the people and culture here at St. John’s,” Hailey added.                     

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, called it “the culmination of a year’s worth of work to recruit, orient, and prepare the St. John’s experience for the next generation of Johnnies.”

First-year move-in continued until early afternoon on Saturday. Among the first sights and sounds families experienced was the St. John’s Pep Band, which was positioned behind the School of Law, adjacent to the Great Lawn. In between rousing tunes, members of the band welcomed the newest generation of Johnnies.    

Once comfortably moved in, students and their families could join in celebrations along the Residence Village and enjoy lunch at Montgoris Dining Hall.

DJ music blared from the plaza at Montgoris. Members of the St. John’s Cheerleading and Dance squads joined in a chorus of welcome greetings. Members of the University administration, faculty, and staff from organizations such as Campus Activities, Campus Ministry, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and University Career Services connected with students, sharing resources that will support their personal and professional development. University mascot Johnny Thunderbird made the rounds, glad-handing students and families.    

“It is such a family atmosphere, where everyone looks out for each other and cares about your success,” said Jasmine Cooper, an incoming advertising communications and public relations student from Burlington, NJ. “I plan to take advantage of everything the school and the city have to offer.”

Jasmine’s father, Fred Cooper, said his daughter is the first from his side of the family to attend college. “It is a dream come true for me, and I am excited for her. It is a wonderful place,” he said.  

Jasmine was among the students whose rooms were blessed by University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., as part of a larger room blessing program offered by Campus Ministry. More than 500 students registered for a blessing, including Donovan Hall roommates Johnny McPherson of Freeport, NY, and James Silano of Staten Island, NY.

Fr. Shanley offered a prayer of “peace, friendship, learning, growth, hospitality, and faith” to all three students, who appreciated the humble message at the start of the new academic year. “It was a beautiful experience and a wonderful opportunity to express your faith,” said James, a criminal justice major. 

“When I saw St. John’s, I instantly thought this is the place I want to be,” added Johnny, a finance major. “A blessing like this is one of the reasons why.” 

For many alumni-parents, including Catherine Caracappa ’18CCPS, ’20M.B.A., of Rockville Centre, NY, moving their children into the residence halls brought back memories of their own time at St. John’s. Ms. Caracappa’s son, Anthony Caracappa, moved into DaSilva Hall on Saturday.  

Ms. Caracappa enrolled at St. John’s at age 40 after a lengthy cancer battle. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Enterprise Regulation: Profit and Nonprofit, and later a Master of Business Administration degree in Enterprise Risk Management. She said St. John’s helped her heal physically and emotionally.

“I would go from class to chemotherapy treatments and then come back to class,” Ms. Caracappa recalled. “This University gave me purpose during one of the hardest times of my life.”

“There’s something about this place that brings out the best in people,” she added. “It is more than a campus. It is a community where people genuinely care about one another, and that is why I know Anthony will thrive here.”   

Watch highlights from student Move-In Weekend.