Hundreds of St. Joseph’s University, New York students took part in annual investiture ceremonies at the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses on Sept. 19 and 28.
A time-honored tradition held at the start of each of the University’s 108 academic years, investiture celebrates the beginning of the student journey at St. Joseph’s. Members of the Class of 2027 recited the Oath of Integrity, an act that symbolizes their investment into the University community.
SJNY administrators, faculty and student leaders – including President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. – delivered inspiring speeches at events in The Hill Center gym at the Brooklyn Campus and inside the Long Island Campus’ Muriel and Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts.
Inspiring a New Class
“Right now in your lives, if there’s anything I can say to you, it is don’t listen to those voices of practicality, but listen to your inner voice and what it is that excites you,” President Boomgaarden told Brooklyn Campus students.
“Because if you do what excites you, you’ll be excellent. And there are always jobs for excellent people – whatever the field is. It is not the career you choose, but your dedication to it,” he added.
Student Government Association presidents Nicholas Tapio ’24 and Madison Frascogna ’25 spoke at the Brooklyn Campus and Long Island Campus ceremonies, respectively. They imparted valuable wisdom to the incoming classes.
Additional speakers at the Brooklyn Campus ceremony included Executive Dean Phillip Dehne, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology Kestrel Perez, Ph.D., and Director of Campus Ministry Dr. Vernon Shelton, Sr.
Chair of Religious Studies Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., Executive Dean Eileen White Jahn, M.B.A., Ph.D., and Director of Campus Ministry Jonathan Galo spoke on Long Island.
View pictures from both events in Brooklyn and on Long Island below.
