St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) hosted its Honors Convocation for the Brooklyn Campus on May 6, during which students were inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma, Kappa Gamma Pi and Sigma Iota Chi honor societies, as well as the St. Joseph’s University honors program. Students included members of the Class of 2025 as well as rising seniors and juniors.
“Our honor societies and honors program challenge students to go beyond the traditional classroom experience, to engage in original research, interdisciplinary thinking and collaborative learning that prepares them for a world that is ever-changing and deeply complex,” said Heather Barry, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, during opening remarks.
“To our students, you inspire us. Your curiosity, resilience and ambition remind us why we do this work,” Dr. Barry added.
Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., president of the University, addressed the audience inside the Tuohy Hall auditorium. According to Dr. Boomgaarden, while cords and certificates are important physical reminders of achievement, induction is an indicator of one’s inner drive and commitment to a life of transformation and integrity.
Dr. Boomgaarden speaks during the convocation.
“Honors are important in life, but they are a symbol. And many people confuse that symbol with attainment. But the symbol is just an outward expression of something that has already happened inwardly,” Dr. Boomgaarden shared.
Both Dr. Boomgaarden and Dr. Barry acknowledged faculty present during the honors ceremony, noting that student success is a testament to their unwavering support and dedication.
“St. Joseph’s has taught you how to learn,” Dr. Boomgaarden told the newest members of SJNY’s honor societies.
This skill, he asserted, is one reason why St. Joseph’s alumni are successful in a constantly changing world.
Induction Ceremony
Benedick Turner, Ph.D., honor societies committee chair and associate professor of English, led the induction of students into Delta Epsilon Sigma, Kappa Gamma Pi and Sigma Iota Chi.
The senior honors program induction was led by Michael Burke, Ph.D., director of the honors program and an associate professor of philosophy.
SJNY students inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma: Heidy Aleman Betancourt, Noor Nasr, Manas Bhandari, Douglas Paider, Arianna Cubero, Tinamarie Patruno, Stefanie DeMarco, Aarohi Poudel, Rasheda Jeffrey, Helen Qu, Ritika Kaul, Prasun Rimal, Anastajia Melika, Francesca Rossi, Rachel Meltsin, Gabriela Vilorio and Victoria Militano.
SJNY students inducted into Kappa Gamma Pi (a National Catholic College Graduate honor society): Caroline Cartagena, Arianna Cubero, Stefanie DeMarco, Rivujoya Hem, Yashal Jalil, Rasheda Jeffrey, Antonello Terrana and Gabriela Vilorio.
Cords for Sigma Iota Chi
SJNY students inducted into Sigma Iota Chi (the honor society of St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Brooklyn Campus): Heidy Aleman Betancourt, Alesia Azinedari, Manas Bhandari, Caroline Cartagena, Arianna Cubero, Stefanie DeMarco, Rasheda Jeffrey, Ritika Kaul, Anastajia Melika, Rachel Meltsin, Victoria Militano, Noor Nasr, Jeremiah Ortiz, Tinamarie Patruno, Binita Pokharel, Aarohi Poudel, Helen Qu, Prasun Rimal, Francesca Rossi, Srijana Shrestha, Christopher Stegmuller, Rehannah Tejiram, Gabriela Vilorio and Jawad Zaman.
SJNY students inducted into seniors honors: Binika Adhikari, Mandy V. Bhagwandeen, Shelsy N. Fils-Aime, Rivujoya Hem, Aine M. McGlone, Victoria M. Militano, Noor Nasr, Tinamarie A. Patruno, Mohammed Qasem, Helen Qu, Xeila M. Veloso and Gabriela Vilorio.
“The Honor Society represents the very best of what we strive to offer at St. Joseph’s University: rigor, mentorship, opportunity and a steadfast commitment to academic distinction,” said Dr. Barry.
The convocation closed with a benediction delivered by S. Marie Mackey, ’84 CSJ, director of campus ministry.
Honors Symposium
A student discusses her research during the honors symposium on May 5.
The day before the convocation, SJNY hosted an Honors Symposium, providing a platform for seniors in the honors program to share their research and thesis work with the campus community. The 12 seniors present shared a synopsis of their work with students and faculty.
Participants represented majors from across the University—from accounting, biology and nursing to mathematics, journalism, psychology and human services, among others. Their work spanned diverse topics including artificial intelligence (AI), Alzheimer’s disease, student engagement in elementary education and haemophilus influenzae endocarditis (a rare yet serious infection) to name just a few of the poster presentations on display. For many students, the topics were developed through experiences outside of the classroom, such as capstones, clinicals, internships and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) that are part of the SJNY experience.
Photos from the Honors Convocation and Symposium
