US Veteran Grateful for Kindness and Support Found at St. John’s

Mr. Loughran was excited to enroll, but also nervous. “I was worried about the transition and how my experience would be received,” he explained. “I was leaving a military organization that was invested in my success and I didn’t want to fall by the wayside at college.” 

A guardian angel arrived in the form of Karen Morizio, Technical Assistant V, in Student Financial Services. “She was like a mother to me and worked with me for weeks,” he explained. “She gave me the confidence I needed as I left the military and started an entirely new chapter of my life.”  

Mr. Loughran grew up dreaming of playing basketball for St. John’s, proudly wearing a team jersey around his Oceanside, NY, neighborhood. The first in his family to attend college, he was supported by a strong network surrounding him and his single mother, an Irish immigrant.  

“I was blessed to have so many families and friends who opened their doors and acted as parents to me,” he said. 

A devout Catholic, Mr. Loughran found great comfort in St. John’s Vincentian tradition. A defining element of his college experience was, in his words, “grace.” 

Majoring in homeland security, he recalled standout memories of Associate Professor James O’Keefe, Ph.D. ’79SVC, who offered that grace. “I was working full time and taking classes at night, and he knew that I was a veteran. His class stayed with me, specifically what I learned from our analysis of the 9/11 Commission Report.” 

Mr. Loughran also credits his success to inspirational conversations with Professor Randolph D. Ortiz, Ed.D., who worked with veteran students. “He also exercised grace with me throughout my journey. It was sometimes a struggle; I didn’t get straight As, but I remember crying at the meeting when he told me that I was graduating. I joined the military to get a degree and I did it.” 

Mr. Loughran took full advantage of the St. John’s alumni network in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Secret Service, and other government offices. His bright future would lead him to his current position at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he serves as Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. Housing affordability is one of his main priorities.  
 
Appointed by President Donald Trump to serve under HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Mr. Loughran reflected, “I think about how many great opportunities we have every day to make a difference in the world, and how we should be mindful of God’s presence in those opportunities. I had an opportunity at St. John’s—and what St. John’s promised me was in fact what I received.” 

Mr. Loughran is grateful to the St. John’s community that supported a young veteran with potential and helped him succeed. “Had it not been for Ms. Morizio, my dean, and professors, and the deep Catholicism of St. John’s, I don’t know where I would be,” he reflected. “It all aligned perfectly— and in today’s world, that’s what we need.”  

St. John’s remains a strong home base for Mr. Loughran and the current success of the Men’s Basketball team brings him joy. “It gives us all hope; it transcends Queens and basketball and spreads into all categories of life,” he said. “When New York has a winning team, it inspires all to do better to win!” 

Mr. Loughran encourages fellow Johnnies to know they can always return to their home base. “St. John’s made a commitment to you, and you will never be alone,” he said. “We’re all here for each other, and we show up for one another.”