University Recognition Ceremony Honors St. John’s Faculty, Administrators, and Staff

St. John’s University recognized the contributions of its longtime employees on October 1, at its annual University Recognition Ceremony at Taffner Field House on the Queens, NY, campus.

Fifteen members of St. John’s faculty and another 18 staff and administrative personnel were celebrated for their years of service. Awards were given to employees celebrating 25, 40, 50—and in the case of Frank P. Le Veness ’63ED, ’64M.A., ’68Ph.D., Professor, Department of Government and Politics—60 years of employment. 

Another 34 employees who retired in the past year were presented with certificates of recognition for their years of service to the University. The University also welcomed three new faculty members and congratulated 20 faculty members on recent promotions.   

“There is an old quote about honor,” said the Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s. “It says, ‘show me the person you honor and I will know what kind of person you are.’ I think today tells us something very healthy and good about our community that we have chosen to honor these people. My hope is that this will be inspirational and aspirational for us all.”

Among the honorees was Joseph E. Oliva ’91CBA, ’94J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, who has worked in several administrative positions at St. John’s since 2000. Mr. Oliva was presented with the President’s Medal—one of the University’s highest honors—for his leadership, service to society, and commitment to the Vincentian values of St. John’s.

“My experience at St. John’s has always been about relationships,” Mr. Oliva said. “Relationships that were joined together as we worked toward our mission and values. There is something about this place that makes it, for me, the best institution in the world.”

In addition to the President’s Medal, the University presented five Faculty Excellence Awards. Marina Sorochinski, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS), received the Faculty Excellence in Student Engagement Award. James A. Croft, Esq. ’07J.D., Associate Professor, Division of Legal Studies at CCPS, received the Faculty Leadership and Service Award; while Maria P. Mello, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Education Specialties, The School of Education, received the Faculty Excellence in Inclusive Service/Outreach Award.

Elizabeth Brondolo, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, received the Faculty Excellence in Inclusive Research Award, and Omar Lopez ’11M.A., Adjunct Professor, Department of Core Studies, The School of Education, received the Community Engaged Learning Faculty Award.

“All these faculty members have provided exemplary leadership, scholarship, student engagement, and service,” said Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Distinguished Professor, and Provost Endowed Chair.

Keaton Wong, J.D., Associate Vice President for Human Resources, presented Outstanding Achievement medals to another nine employees. “All the recipients have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service to St. John’s,” Ms. Wong said. “They have contributed in distinctive ways to the University’s mission.”  

Mr. Croft was among those recognized again. Other honorees included

• Jankie D. Beharry, Controller and Assistant Treasurer, Business Affairs
• Carol Green, Library Tech Assistant, University Libraries
• MaryAnn Monaghan, Access Services Specialist, Law School Library, School of Law
• Daniel John Napolitano, Assistant Dean, Student Services and Community Design, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
• Laura O’Brien ’95M.S.Ed., Public Safety Coordinator, Department of Public Safety
• Mary-Elizabeth Sabo, Director of Residential Education and Basic Needs, Office of Residence Life
• Mary Beth Schaefer, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The School of Education
• Rachel H. Smith, Esq., Vice Dean for Student Success, Mary C. Daly Professor of Legal Writing, Writing Center, School of Law 

Nineteen employees received nominations to the Values and Inclusion Program for their work in advancing St. John’s core values of truth, love, respect, opportunity, excellence, and service. Six retired faculty members received emeritus/emerita status, awarded to those faculty who served the University for 25 years or more with at least 10 years as associate professor. These included    

• Teresa M. Danile '06Ed.D., Professor Emerita, Department of Accountancy, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
• Judith N. DeSena, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Craig A. Latshaw, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Accountancy, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
• Miguel Roig, Ph.D. '81M.A., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Rosemary C. Salomone, J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., Kenneth Wang Professor of Law Emerita, School of Law
• Charles Wankel, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Management, Entrepreneurship, Operations, and Consulting, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business

See the complete list of honorees, including retirees.