New SJC Long Island students filed into the John A. Danzi Athletic Center in their caps and gowns Thursday, Sept. 20, for the College’s annual investiture ceremony.
Sister Suzanne Franck, C.S.J., Ph.D., an associate professor and the director for academic advising, stood at the podium, donning her own academic attire, and explained how investiture symbolizes the beginning of the Class of 2023’s journey as college students and invests them into the St. Joseph’s community.
“The young women and men will formally pledge their commitment to the College,” S. Suzanne said during the first academic event of the academic year for the freshmen class. “In turn, the academic community will confirm their acceptance of the goals, values and spirit of St. Joseph’s by joining the Class of 2023 in the recitation of the academic integrity pledge.”
S. Suzanne noted that investiture is a commitment, affirmation and transformation of a student’s promise to live a life guided by integrity, service, intellectual values, spiritual values and this year’s theme: commitment to social responsibility.
Students recited the Oath of Integrity, turned their tassels and listened to words of encouragement from St. Joseph’s administrators and faculty. Among them: President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D.; Bryan Gill, M.S., M.B.A., executive director of student involvement and coordinator of FYE; Gigi Lamens, vice president for enrollment management; Eileen White Jahn, Ph.D., interim executive dean for SJC Long Island; James Blakeley, Ph.D., associate professor and chairman of the history department; Steven Fuchs, Ph.D., associate professor of history; Wendy Turgeon, Ph.D., professor and chair of philosophy and the coordinator of SJC 100; and Cristian Murphy, director of campus ministry.
A Bright Future for the Class of 2023
Freshman Frank Romano, who aspires to be a history teacher, said the investiture ceremony, and his first few weeks at college, have been a positive experience.
“I picked St. Joe’s because I knew I’d do better in a small environment,” Romano said. “The support from all the professors has been great.”
Asma Hosein, a freshman child study major, said she especially enjoyed the stories administrators shared during the investiture ceremony.
“I really liked the speeches a lot — especially Dr. Boomgaarden’s,” Hosein said. “It was very inspiring.”
Dr. Boomgaarden shared his commitment to seeing every student graduate, talked about the benefits of being part of the St. Joseph’s College community and told stories about high-achieving alumni, including Trustee Peter Meyer ’87, a transfer student who now works as the New York City market president of TD Bank.
“Tonight is just as much about the parents as it is about the students…” Dr. Boomgaarden said. “Education is about family. These students are here tonight because someone in your family — your father, your mother, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles — value education. They know how important it is, and they have prepared you to come to St. Joseph’s and be successful.”
