SJC Long Island’s new freshmen and transfer students, along with their family and friends, participated in a virtual Investiture Ceremony Thursday night, joining the 105-year-old tradition where the newest members of the College community are formally invested after reciting the Academic Integrity Pledge.
“When you come to us, you are not just a number. But you are a name. You are a person,” St. Joseph’s College President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., donned in his academic attire, said to the new students when explaining what makes the event — and the College — so special.
“And you’re going to be part of an incredible community of service — a community that is dedicated to reaching out and transforming the world around us,” Dr. Boomgaarden continued. “And there’s a lot right now that needs to be transformed.”
The video, which premiered on FaceBook and YouTube, was viewed more than 1,000 times within the first 12 hours.
Joining the SJC Community
St. Joseph’s newest members also heard from Janelle Hill, associate vice president for student life; S. Suzanne Franck, C.S.J., Ph.D., associate professor and director of academic advising; Debra Walling, assistant vice president for enrollment management; Eileen White Jahn, Ph.D., executive dean; Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., professor and chair of religious studies; Dominique Treboux, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D., professor and chair of philosophy and coordinator of SJC 100; Bryan Gill, executive director of student involvement and coordinator of FYE; and Cristian Murphy, director of campus ministry.
“As the executive dean of the Long Island campus, I formally accept the graduating Class of 2024, as these new students have now earned the rights and privileges commensurate with all upperclass women and men of the St. Joseph’s College community,” Dr. Jahn said.
The students — 431 freshmen and 327 transfers — were then invited to join Dr. Petriano in reciting the Academic Integrity Pledge, in which the students’ make a proclamation of solidarity and a promise to uphold the highest ideals of academic life, while committing to the College’s five pillars: integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service.
