Incoming freshmen and transfer students at SJC Brooklyn were greeted with a cheer from a pack of spirited orientation leaders and Vandy the Bear as they entered the gymnasium Wednesday during New Student Orientation. The theme was SJC Heroes.
The encouraging introduction to the College continued with speeches from St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D.; Interim Executive Dean Raymond D’Angelo, Ph.D.; Executive Director of Student Life Jaime Vacca-Hoefner; Student Government Association (SGA) President Amarfi Collado; and SGA Vice President Gabriella Fielding.
“The first thing I want to say to you today is that you are going to succeed; you are going to do great,” Dr. Boomgaarden said to a room packed with incoming freshmen and transfer students. “You were admitted into the College because we feel that you have all the abilities and all of the skills to be really successful. And I know you’re going to be.”
During orientation, students learned success strategies, went on a campus tour, met with faculty advisers, took their ID pictures and attended a special SJC Heroes celebration.
Advice for Incoming Students
The diverse group of new students come from 18 different states and 10 different countries, as Dr. D’Angelo pointed out in his remarks. Standing at the podium, the dean slid his glasses on and read each of the states and countries represented by St. Joseph’s students. The newcomers applauded when they heard their home state or country.
“What advice can a dean give you on this orientation day?” Dr. D’Angelo later asked. “Get to know your faculty. They are highly distinguished in their respective fields and are down to Earth. Many of our faculty have received awards, McArthur fellows, national endowment for humanities awards, two of our faculty are full bright scholars. They are exceptional.”
Collado, a senior criminal justice major, encouraged the SJC Heroes to attend Club Fair on Thursday, Sept. 5 — the second day of classes — to see all the clubs and organizations St. Joe’s has to offer.
“Join one,” she said. “Or if you find there is something of interest that is missing, you can create your own club.”
Fielding, a child study major, urged new students to use all the tools available to them at St. Joseph’s.
“Just like you all, St. Joe’s has some superpowers of its own,” said Fielding, who also sits as the 2019 orientation chairperson. “When you walked in earlier, you may have noticed some of the pages from St. Joe’s own comic book, titled ‘The Five Pillars of SJC.’ These pages highlight the five superpowers of St. Joseph’s, which are integrity, social responsibility, service, intellectual and spiritual values.
“Over your next few years at St. Joe’s we hope that your superpowers grow in number and that you adopt some of the College’s, as well.”
