The year 2020 was unlike any other, yet the SJC community still shined even in the face of tremendous adversity. Here, we acknowledge some of SJC Long Island’s important moments during 2020. Be sure to click above to see our Year in Review video.
JANUARY
Mission Trip: Nine students visited New Orleans during winter break to work with nonprofits for a service-based Mission Trip (formerly know as Alternative Winter Break).
New ID card security protocol: To help ensure safety, St. Joseph’s College began requiring all students, faculty and staff to show or swipe their SJC ID cards when entering any building on campus.
FEBRUARY
Black History Month: Bettie Mae Fikes, a celebrated icon of the 1960s civil rights movement and the self-styled “Queen of the Blues,” spoke to — and sang with — students, faculty and staff in SJC Long Island’s McGann Conference Center Feb. 6, in recognition of Black History Month.
College hosts its second annual I?SJC Week: St. Joseph’s alumni reminisced about the best friends they made, the people who left a lasting impact, their favorite college experiences, the relationship that led to marriage, and the reasons why they take pride in donating to SJC.
Sending love on Valentine’s Day: Members of Project Sunshine made cards and bracelets for children at Good Samaritan Hospital, while students in the American Sign Language Club sent cards to children at the Mill Neck School for the Deaf.
MARCH
SJC alumna named Suffolk County chief diversity and inclusion officer: Retha Fernandez ’16 was appointed by County Executive Steve Bellone as Suffolk County’s first-ever chief diversity and inclusion officer, a position she began on March 2.
SJC Long Island student veteran writes book: Staff Sgt. John Davis ’20 published “Combat to College: Applying the Military Mentality to the Classroom,” in which he shares advice about how to succeed as a student veteran.
College transitions to remote learning: Amid the rise of coronavirus cases in the United States, St. Joseph’s switched to a remote delivery of face-to-face courses to help prevent spreading the virus. As a result, the Office of Information Technology offered remote training for faculty, and the College provided an online support system for students.
St. Joseph’s establishes emergency assistance fund: The COVID-19 Student Emergency Assistance Fund was created by St. Joseph’s College to help the students affected most by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Sewing for a cause: In the spirit of SJC’s mission to help others and serve its communities, staff members, students and alumni created handmade masks for the health care heroes on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19, as well as for friends and family who could not access any.
APRIL
New AVP for Student Life: Janelle Hill began her role as SJC Long Island’s new assistant vice president of student life.
We are SJCNY strong: Carly Credidio ’21 orchestrates a video in which she and other SJC Long island students share messages of positivity and unity, saying that they’re in this together despite being physically apart.
Answering the Call: Students and alumni begin sharing their stories as essential employees during our “Answering the Call” series.
Giving Day success: The St. Joseph’s College community came together for the second annual Giving Day, which focused on the needs of students amid the pandemic, raising more than $59,000 in 24 hours.
MAY
Future teachers pledge their commitment: Child study seniors pledged their commitment to the profession of teaching during a Teacher Pledge Ceremony.
College community celebrates Class of 2020: St. Joseph’s College president, faculty, staff, students and alumni recognized the accomplishments of SJCNY graduates in a compilation of video clips.
JUNE
Biology department recognized by TriBeta: The St. Joseph’s College Department of Biology earned honorable mention from the National Biological Honor Society Beta Beta Beta (or TriBeta) for the Lloyd M. Bertholf Award.
SJC Long Island hosts nursing pinning ceremony: The nursing department welcomed 37 graduates from the Class of 2020 into the profession of nursing during a formal pinning ceremony.
Board of Trustees extends President Boomgaarden’s appointment: Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., signs on for an additional five years as president of St. Joseph’s College.
JULY
SJC President appoints executive dean: Longtime faculty member Eileen White Jahn, Ph.D., was appointed as executive dean at SJC Long Island.
AUGUST
Interning with Brookhaven National Lab: Vanessa Rodriguez ’21 completed her remote internship with Brookhaven National Laboratory, where she developed a usable mobile app.
SEPTEMBER
Invested together: SJC Long Island’s newest students formally joined the College community during a virtual Investiture Ceremony.
Domestic Violence Awareness Week: St. Joseph’s College students participated in a series of informative virtual events about dating violence and sexual assault.
Golden Eagles Spirit Fest: Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends celebrated all things SJC Long Island during this year’s Golden Eagles Spirit Fest.
OCTOBER
Dance team donates more than 3,700 pounds of clothing: Exemplifying the College’s pillar of service, the SJC Long Island Dance Team ran a clothing drive donation as a safe way to give back to the community.
“Women of Color” art exhibit: SJC Long Island celebrates artwork by African-American artists through “Women of Color,” an art exhibition that provided commentary on culture and condition of African-American communities.
Down right perfect: SJC Long Island’s Council for Exceptional Children/Educators Club celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Month, sharing information about the condition and hosting a virtual event, during which students were invited to learn more.
SJC Long Island friends save the day: Students Timothy Barone, Alexa Setaro and Nicholas Mitchko planned, organized and carried out a safe trick-or-treating event and food drive in their hometown of Rocky Point.
NOVEMBER
Veterans Week: SJC Long Island held its annual Veterans Week, celebrating veterans and active military members through a number of virtual events, which included a Veterans Day tribute video containing messages from members of the SJC community.
Diversity and Inclusion Week: St. Joseph’s first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Week — with its emphasis on social responsibility and celebration of the Sisters of St. Joseph tenet for unity for “the dear neighbor” — proved to be a huge success, with hundreds of teachers, staff, students and alumni participating in virtual and on-ground events.
SJC Long Island announces plans to build a new student center: The new $17 million facility – the campus’ first new building in 18 years — will serve the College’s growing student population. It will be financed by the College’s bond issue.
Thanksgiving food drive: The Office of Campus Ministry hosted its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and the donations were distributed to the Lighthouse Mission, Wyandanch Homes/Services, Long Island Cares and Masjid Pantry.
DECEMBER
Supporting students on Giving Tuesday: St. Joseph’s College received nearly $10,000 from 90 donors who chose between three fundraising campaigns, each directly benefitting SJC students.
Spreading hope for the holidays: SJC Long Island students, faculty and staff got into the holiday spirit through gift drives, stocking stuffers and virtual trips to the North Pole.
President Boomgaarden named to “Power 25 in Education” list: President Boomgaarden ranked No. 6 on the Long Island Business News list.
Nursing program earns national award: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognized the nursing program at St. Joseph’s College with the 2020 Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award.
SJC Long Island formally graduates class of 2020: More than 1,100 SJC Long Island students earned their degree amid the pandemic. They were honored during a virtual ceremony.
