5 students holding signs thanking donors for their generous gifts

Thank A Donor Day

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We Love St. John's Donors

From Students, With Gratitude: Heartfelt Messages to Our Generous Donors

St. John's University Thank A Donor Day 2025

St. John's students holding Thank You signs for donors
Students with Johnny Thunderbird holding signs thanking donors for their donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations with Johnny Thunderbird
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for donors
Students with Johnny Thunderbird holding signs thanking donors for their donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for their generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations with Johnny Thunderbird
St. John's student holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations
St. John's students holding Thank You signs for our donors generous donations

More than 1,000 students converged on St. John’s Queens, NY, campus on May 2 to express their gratitude to the donors who give their time, talent, and treasure to the University.

“Thank a Donor Day is an annual opportunity for the University community to come together and celebrate those who make an education possible for so many at St. John’s,” said Sammantha O’Brien McCalla ’99CBA, ’01MBA, ’20Ph.D., Director of Stewardship, Office of Advancement. “Without them, St. John’s would not be able to continue its Vincentian mission. Our donors are incomparable.”

Students truly appreciate the financial support. “I have made many friends and connections through the wonderful programs that I’ve joined that are being supported, in part, by donors,” said Favor Eme, a first-year student majoring in legal studies. “I really just want to say thank you.”

Watch the video above for more expressions of gratitude on Thank a Donor Day. 

Meeting John “Jack” Clarke, Esq. ‘55CBA, ‘57L, Endowed Scholarship Donor

John “Jack” Clarke, Esq. ‘55CBA, ‘57L and 5 St. John's Endowed Scholarship Donor
Students at a table with alumnus John Clarke
Students walking outside on campus
Students outside on campus on Thank A Donor Day 2024
John “Jack” Clarke, Esq. ‘55CBA, ‘57L and 5 St. John's Endowed Scholarship Donor
Students at a table with alumnus John Clarke
Students walking outside on campus
Students outside on campus on Thank A Donor Day 2024

Five Endowed Scholarship recipients met with their scholarship donor, John “Jack” P. Clarke, Esq. ’55CBA, ’57L, Visiting Professor and Chair, Department of Law, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, on April 8. The students, who are all in the five year graduate program,  included Madison Able-South, Carmelo Acquista, John Pederson, Mark Sclafani, and Jermy Singh.

“It is really important that students get to see their donor in person to learn about who gave them an opportunity to continue their higher education journey and become successful Vincentian citizens in our global world,” said Sammantha McCalla ’99CBA, ’01MBA, ’20Ph.D., Director of Stewardship. “Donors also get to meet their beneficiaries and see firsthand the real-world return on their investment and hear their stories. It’s not just about the money, it’s about the people. These encounters between donors and students are integral in keeping St. John’s mission alive for generations to come.”

The students discussed their current classes, internships, and goals, and Prof. Clarke shared the successes of several of his former students who are now chief executive officers, chief finance officers, and partners in law and accounting firms. Several are even current members of the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees at St. John’s University. The recipients also shared their St. John’s experiences and Prof. Clarke discussed his educational background and why he chose to become an Endowed Scholarship donor.

He impressed the students not only with is extensive knowledge of St. John’s history, but with all that he has witnessed in the world. “I can’t believe he saw Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in baseball,” said Jermy.

The meeting ended with advice, laughs, and well wishes as the students looked forward to graduation on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Contact Us

Sammantha O’Brien McCalla ‘99CBA, ‘01MBA, ‘20Ph.D.
Director of Stewardship
718-990-6038
[email protected]