Overhead shot of ballroom with red mood lighting

President's Dinner

Twenty-Fourth Annual President's Dinner

Friday, October 29
New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Avenue of the Americas | Directions
6 p.m. Cocktail Reception | 7 p.m. Dinner

As of August 27, 2021, New York City guidelines mandate that people 12 and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to access indoor dining or entertainment venues.

New York Hilton Midtown requires that all visitors wear a face make or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose while inside the hotel. If anyone has a medical condition that makes the person unable to wear such a standard facing covering, a facial shield is an appropriate substitute.

Learn more about the New York Hilton's COVID-19 Protocol.

If you have questions or concerns about this with regard to a ticket or table purchase, please contact James Hogan via email or at 718-990-3352.

We will continue to update this website in accordance with local, city, and state health protocol.

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About The President's Dinner

Since its inception in 1998, the Annual President’s Dinner has been a celebration of what makes St. John’s University unique – the vibrant combination of scholarship and service. For more than 150 years, the University has been “faithful to the mission,” committed to extending the opportunity for a superior academic education to deserving students regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. Funds raised from the President’s Dinner are used to support scholarship assistance for students who, because of economic burdens, might otherwise be unable to realize their dream of a St. John’s education. In the past 23 years, the President’s Dinner has raised more than $45 million in scholarship support for St. John’s students.

Traditionally, the President’s Dinner has taken place as an in-person event during the fall semester. This fall we are planning to keep with tradition (pending health and safety protocols) and host an in-person event on Friday, October 29th at the Hilton Midtown. This stellar occasion is also the venue for the presentation of the highly regarded Spirit of Service Award to outstanding men and women, and in recent years, to an organization which exemplifies the Catholic and Vincentian values that are at the heart of St. John’s mission. You can view the 23rd Annual President’s Dinner, which was held virtually due to concerns pertaining to COVID-19, as well as photos from our last in person dinner below.

More Information

James Hogan '14CPS, '16MBA
St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439
Tel 718-990-3352 | Fax 718-990-2008
[email protected]

***COVID-19 Disclaimer ***
We are planning to hold the 24^th Annual President’s Dinner in-person on Friday, October 29^that the Hilton Midtown. All of our COVID-19 planning and protocols are subject to the latest public health guidelines and may be modified as circumstances change. For the most up to date information please visit www.stjohns.edu.

Twenty-Third Annual President's Dinner

A Virtual Celebration of the Impact of Giving

To access captions, please toggle the "CC" button on the right-hand side of the video player.

Twenty-Second Annual President's Dinner

In 2019, St. John's raised a record $3.4 million to support student scholarships.

St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner Photo Gallery

St. John’s University 2019 President's Society members

St. John’s University 2019 President’s Society and guests posing for a picture

Three guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

President's Society members taking a selfie at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests by a table at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Six guests pose for a picture onstage at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Six guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Five guests pose for a picture at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests pose for a picture at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner, one holding a vase of white roses

Four guests standing for a picture at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

President Gempesaw overlooking the crowd from the podium onstage

Two guests seated at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Three guests standing up at a table at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests smiling and looking up at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests seated at a table at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Rahel Solomon ’10TCB and three campus ministry staff members at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Five guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests pose for a picture at the President’s Dinner

Guests take a group photo at the President’s Dinner

Support our students message on the projector

Honorees and President Gempesaw pose for a photo onstage

Large group of guests, honorees and President Gempesaw pose for a photo onstage

Large group of guests and Dr. Gempesaw pose for a photo onstage in silly poses

Dean Bell and President's Society member pose for a photo

Woman standing in front of a microphone onstage

Musicians performing music off to the side of the stage

President Gempesaw, honoree and guest pose for a photo onstage

Guest in red dress speaking at the podium onstage

President's Society member and other guests posing for a photo

Five guests standing and posing for a photo

Woman seated at a table smiling and looking up

President Gempesaw, honoree and guest pose for a photo

Two guests smiling and posing for a photo

President Gempesaw, honoree and guest standing onstage posing for a picture

Guests seated at their tables looking up

Man at podium onstage; President Gempesaw, guests and honorees are seated onstage behind him

Two guests looking up with their hands over their hearts

Member of President's Society holding the microphone at the podium onstage

President Gempesaw shaking a guest's hand onstage

President Gempesaw, honorees and guest pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Three guests seated at a table pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Two guests pose for a photo at the 2019 President's Dinner

Three guests pose for a photo at the President's Dinner

Guests seated at the table pose for a photo

Dean Simons and guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Rahel Solomon ’10TCB speaking at the podium

Four guest pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Four guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Jorge Rodriguez, Simon Møller and guests pose for a photo

Members of the President's Society pose for a photo

Rahel Solomon ’10TCB and guests at the President's Dinner

Guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Rahel Solomon ’10TCB and guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Special guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner posing for a photo

Two President's Society members pose for a photo

Bird's eye view of the President's Dinner

President Gempesaw and guests at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

President Gempesaw, guests and honoree at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Guests pose for a photo at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Guest, Rahel Solomon ’10TCB and Brian Browne pose for a picture

President Gempesaw and Rahel Solomon ’10TCB

Red roses and guests at the 2019 President’s Dinner

Bird's eye view of the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Three red poster boards on easels displaying lists of President's Dinner supporters

Guests pose for a photo at the 2019 President’s Dinner

Guests in tuxedos pose for a picture in the hallway at the 2019 President’s Dinner

Guests pose for a picture at the President's Dinner

Guests pose for a picture in the hallway at the St. John’s University 2019 President’s Dinner

Man and woman at the 2019 President’s Dinner

Mark P. Kritzman statement of thanks on the presentation screen

Musician playing guitar onstage at the President's Dinner

New York Hilton COVID-19 Protocol

Updated September 5, 2021

For everyone’s well-being New York Hilton Midtown requires that all visitors wear a face make or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose while inside the hotel. If anyone has a medical condition that makes the person unable to wear such a standard facing covering, a facial shield is an appropriate substitute.
Due to the new Executive Order, all of your attendees will need to provide proof of receipt of at least one does of a COVID-19 vaccine and proof of identification.
1. Sufficient proof may be demonstrated by displaying:

i. A photo or hard copy of their CDC vaccination card

ii. NYC COVID Safe App

iii. New York State Excelsior App

iv. Official vaccine record

v. A photo or hard copy of an official vaccination record of a vaccine administered outside the United States for one of the following vaccines: AstraZeneca/SK Bioscience, Serum Institute of India/COVISHIELD and Vaxzevria, Sinopharm, or Sinovac