St. Joseph’s University, New York celebrated a lot of important moments in 2022 — chief among them was becoming a university. Here’s a look back at all the important moments at the Long Island Campus over the last year. Be sure to click through for the full stories, or click above for the Year in Review video.
Note: Links to stories from January – April 2022 refer to the University by its previous designation, St. Joseph’s College.
January
Student Receives Scholarship from First Responders Children’s Foundation: Thomas Wilson IV, now a senior Hospitality and Tourism Management major, received a scholarship from the First Responders Children’s Foundation due to his father’s work at Ground Zero after Sept. 11.
February
Long Island Campus Alumna Receives State Award: Diane Fox, an assistant principal at Hampton Bays Middle School, was named the 2022 New York State Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year.
Living Our Mission Returns for a Third Season: The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) television series returned for a third season with SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., as its host.
SJNY Sweethearts: Love Through Greek Life: Andria Onorato ’16, M.A. ’19, and Christian Falcaro ’17, M.A. ’19, met as undergrads through their sorority and fraternity at St. Joseph’s University.
Student Center Campaign Raises More Than $2.6 Million: Initiated early in 2021, the Student Center Campaign raised more than $2.6 million in gifts and pledges, including numerous leadership commitments from members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, staff and friends, by February 2022.
March
Graduate Student Creates Wordle-Inspired Math Game: Long Island Campus alumnus Steven Silvestri ’21, M.A. ’22, created a math game ap called Numble, which is being played around the world.
University Board Members Reminisce About Sisters of St. Joseph: In honor of Catholic Sisters Week, three members of the St. Joseph’s Board of Trustees discussed the cherished Sisters who had an impact on them during their time at the University.
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of S. Elizabeth Hill’s Presidency: As part of its annual Catholic Sisters Week coverage, the University caught up with Sister Elizabeth A. Hill ’64, CSJ, J.D., to discuss her time as St. Joseph’s sixth president.
St. Joseph’s Develops First-of-Its-Kind Student Summer Research Grant: Open to students of all disciplines, the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships (S.U.R.F.) provide students from the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses with roughly $4,000 each to complete a faculty-mentored, 10-week summer research project.
April
SJNY’s Fourth Annual Giving Day a Success: The University’s 24-hour fundraising campaign benefited 20 different initiatives and raised more than $104,000 from 695 donors.
Becoming St. Joseph’s University, New York: St. Joseph’s earned university status Tuesday, April 12, officially becoming St. Joseph’s University, New York.
Toast to the Graduates: The Long Island Campus at St. Joseph’s University, New York celebrated its seniors with a special Toast to the Graduates event.
Long Island Campus Hosts Student Research Symposium: More than 50 students from St. Joseph’s University presented their undergraduate research during the annual Student Research Symposium at the University’s Long Island Campus.
May
Class of 2022 Commencement Celebration: St. Joseph’s University honored the transformational journey of its Class of 2022 during the institution’s 103rd annual commencement ceremony Thursday, May 26, inside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
June
DJ Schiulaz ’10 Memorial Scholarship Reaches Goal: Scholarship honoring the late Long Island Campus alumnus hit $25,000 in less than 10 months — four years and two months faster than the 11 alumni who created the scholarship expected it to.
Science Without Borders: Greece Edition: In one of the largest St. Joseph’s biology faculty-led study abroad trips yet, 16 students from the University traveled to Greece as part of the course BIO 210: Science Without Borders.
July
U.S. President Awards St. Joseph’s Alumna Medal of Freedom: President Joe Biden recognized St. Joseph’s University alumna Sandra Lindsay RN ’99, DHSc, the first American vaccinated against COVID-19, with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during a powerful White House ceremony.
Explained: Long Island’s Abundance of Sharks: After six reported run-ins with sharks in just a few weeks, adjunct Biology Professor Matthew Berkhout ’09 discussed what may be causing the influx of our finned friends along our South Shore.
St. Joseph’s University Receives $120,000 from the George I. Alden Trust: The funds will be used to equip the new Student Center classrooms with cutting-edge technology.
St. Joseph’s Assistant Baseball Coach Saves Umpire’s Life: Andrew Aschettino was fast to act at a championship tournament game in Georgia this summer, when he rushed on to the field to perform CPR after the homeplate umpire collapsed.
August
New Golden Eagles Begin Navigating Their Path at SJNY: St. Joseph’s University welcomed nearly 500 new students to the Long Island Campus on Tuesday, Aug. 30, for student Orientation.
September
SJNY Reaching ‘New Heights’: The University climbed 30 spots on this year’s U.S. News & World Report ranking, landing at No. 48 for top universities in the Regional Universities – North category.
St. Joseph’s University Community Remember 9/11: Faculty, students, staff and local community members gathered to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks during annual remembrance ceremonies at the Long Island and Brooklyn campuses.
Pursuing a Childhood Dream: After earning a law degree in 2019, Philip Branigan ’16 is pursuing an M.D., following his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.
Long Island Investiture Welcomes Class of 2026: The Long Island Campus formally welcomed its first-year students to St. Joseph’s University, New York during its annual Investiture ceremony.
October
SJNY Donation Drive Supports Hurricane-Ravaged Elementary School: St. Joseph’s alumna Kristen Pennisi ’22 partnered with the Long Island Campus Ministry on a donation drive that helped victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida.
Study Away Conference: Students at St. Joseph’s University learned more about global studies and the Disney College Program internship at the Long Island Campus’ sixth annual Study Away Conference.
Second Biannual Mission Day a Success: Campus Ministry hosted a special Founders Day edition of its biannual Mission Day event at the Sisters of St. Joseph property in Brentwood.
St. Joseph’s Students Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Clubs at both campuses raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research throughout the month of October.
November
St. Joseph’s Interim Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Named a ‘Power Woman of Long Island: Heather Barry, Ph.D., was honored among Schneps Media’s Power Women of Long Island.
University Awarded Grant for Student Veterans Success: The $560K grant will support veteran recruitment and programs at St. Joseph’s.
President Boomgaarden Named PolitcsNY Power Player in Education: St. Joseph’s University President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., was named to the annual PoliticsNY Power Players in Education List.
SJNY Hosts Second Annual Esse Non Videri Gala Awards Dinner: The University honored six alumni whose passion for quality healthcare embodies the University’s chief principle: “To be, not to seem.”
December
Shinnecock Bay Named a ‘Hope Spot’: Konstantine Rountos, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and coordinator of the environmental studies minor at St. Joseph’s University, led research that helped establish the bay as critical to the ocean’s health.
‘Lessons and Carols’ Kicked off Christmas Season: The event featured performances by the Long Island Campus Chorus, The Sharps, President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., and other faculty and staff.
St. Joseph’s Students Spreading Joy Once Again: Student groups across the University supported causes close to their hearts during the holiday season.
A Holiday Message from St. Joseph’s University, New York: Members of the SJNY community gathered to wish everyone a happy holiday season.
