The second annual I
SJC Week is casting a special spotlight on the SJC people who have dedicated and who continue to dedicate their lives to the intellectual and personal development of students across the St. Joseph’s College community.
Present and future St. Joseph’s alumni — responding to a questionnaire conducted by St. Joseph’s Office of Alumni Engagement — thanked the faculty and staff who inspired them at SJC Brooklyn and SJC Long Island.
Sharing the Love at SJC Long Island
Kim Gumban (second from right) with Hugo Morales (left).
Kim Gumban, who became involved in the Orientation Team as a sophomore, appreciates the time she’s spent with Hugo Morales, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement, Leadership and Multicultural Programming.
“He’s always there for me, and I could trust him now as a good friend, more than just someone who I work with as a staff member,” said Gumban, a nursing major graduating this spring.
Fellow nursing major Christopher Peppe will always be grateful for the pediatrics course he took with Cara Romano, R.N.
“She was such a lively, animated professor who always brought her passion for nursing out in class,” said the senior, who is a veteran. “She also nominated me for the Frank Antonawich Scholarship, which I was so happy and honored to receive.”
Dr. Petriano (center) with Alexandra Romanoff (second to right).
Alexandra Romanoff, a junior child study major, values the time she had with Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., in SJC 100.
“Professor Petriano was always so caring and taught me many life lessons in class that I will never forget,” Romanoff said of the professor and chair of religious studies.
Grace DeGiovine still remembers the first day of class with psychology lecturer Nicole Chiuchiolo, Psy.D.
“She made all of the students feel welcome and made her class fun,” the junior child study major said. “She inspired me to be the best person I can be and to understand that all students have different backgrounds.”
Rob Wagner (left) with Cristian Murphy (right).
Robert Wagner learned a lot from Cristian Murphy, director of the Office of Campus Ministry, while serving as a work study for him.
“He helped me come out of my comfort zone to conquer things I didn’t know I could,” said Wagner, who graduated in 2019 with bachelor’s degrees in speech and computer information technology.
“I love SJC because I truly felt everyone cared about me here,” he added.
Feeling Thankful at SJC Brooklyn
Giulia Gizzi, a senior majoring in chemistry, is thankful that Dr. Kone Moriamou inspired her to work harder in her physics class.
Senior history major Matthew Trudden appreciates the knowledge and help he received from his professor and adviser Phillip Dehne, Ph.D.
Jessica Weiss (second from right) with Christian Branch (right).
Jessica Weiss, who is very involved in the Chapel Players Dramatic Society, is continuously inspired by Christian Branch, assistant for campus events and technical services, who also serves as producer for the drama club.
“He is quite a character and he’s very remarkable,” said Weiss, who is set to graduate in May with a degree in child study. “There’s nobody in the world quite like him. There is never a day where he didn’t make me feel super important, regardless of what is going on or what we are doing, or what we are working on. He’s like a rock. He is always unchanging and there for us when we need it — no matter when we need him or why.”
Junior child study major Andrew Wenzler values the help he received from advisers Sarah Birch, Ph.D., and Rosemarie Hamlin.
“They guided me in the right direction for my future career,” said Wenzler, who’s involved in the service-based club STRIPES and who participates in the College’s mission trips. “From the Campus Ministry office, definitely S. Marie Mackey. She’s a constant ray of sunshine in everybody’s lives.”
