As the 2025-2026 academic year concludes, St. Joseph’s University, New York continues to celebrate the Class of 2026. That said, this year’s Commencement Ceremony and Toast to the Graduates were not the only events held in honor of the University’s graduating seniors.
Several departments across SJNY’s Brooklyn and Long Island campuses hosted their own more intimate ceremonies, focusing on the nuances and individualized achievements that come with their respective disciplines.
Long Island Child Study Pledge Ceremony
On May 7, the Department of Child Study welcomed a new generation of burgeoning educators during their annual teacher pledge ceremony. Hosted in the Muriel & Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts, students recited their pledge to educate, guide and assist all who fall under their tutelage and mentorship. During the ceremony, three candles were lit to signify the core values of St. Joseph’s, a commitment to the education profession and students’ experience with children and professionals of the learning community throughout the semester.
For this year’s guest speaker, the University invited alumnus John Melandro ’17, a third and fifth grade teacher at Tangier Smith Elementary School and winner of the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Melandro was also most recently honored during the 2025 SJNY Esse Non Videri Gala Awards Dinner.
“You’re in this room tonight because you’re the best of the best. St. Joseph’s graduates carry not just a degree, but a responsibility,” Melandro said. “Esse non videri — to be, not to seem. Let that be your mantra. If you want to make an impact, and I know you do, you must make that ethic a part of who you are.”
Third Annual Master of Social Work Pinning Ceremony
The evening of May 13 belonged to those graduating from St. Joseph’s University’s Long Island Campus with their Master of Social Work. Held in the Student Center’s Knapp Swezey Multipurpose Room, the ceremony was filled with graduating seniors and their families, as well as those being inducted into the University’s Delta Lambda Rho Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Assistant Teaching Professor LaQuetta Solomon, DSW, LCSW announced this year’s inductees.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of the Master of Social Work program Jo Anne Durovich, Ph.D., LMSW delivered the ceremony’s keynote address.
“Your clients may not always have the language to explain their fear or uncertainty. But you will recognize it because you have lived it,” Dr. Durovich told students. “Do not forget what it felt like to hope someone would see you, guide you and believe in your potential before you fully believed in yourself.”
This year’s Kevin Noonan Jr. Scholarship was awarded to MSW student Kylie Miller, who spoke highly of the MSW program’s flexibility and faculty.
Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony — Brooklyn
On May 16, the Department of Nursing on the Brooklyn Campus gathered for their annual pinning ceremony. Hosted in Tuohy Hall Auditorium by Executive Director of Nursing Dr. Athanasia Giannakas-Lafaro, this year’s event honored 36 graduates as they begin their careers in health care. In attendance were friends, family and SJNY faculty.
Winners of this year’s nursing awards on the Brooklyn Campus were presented to: Isaac Nisly (Associate Dean Award), Ashley Pintado (Social Responsibility and Service Award), Isabella Bachman (Spiritual Values and Integrity Award), Leila Heller (Leadership Award) and Nicolette Fellouris (Nightingale Student Nurse Award).
This year, nursing students Christelle Francis and Haydee Noriega were presented with scholarships from the Julia Cuttino Bennett Foundation, a New York-based non-profit organization that works to empower and uplift the next generation of nursing students. Julia Cuttino Bennett ’78, RN was an alumna of SJNY and recently honored posthumously at the University’s 2025 Esse Non Videri Gala.
The New York City Nurses Honor Guard were in attendance as honored guests.
Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony — Long Island
May 17 saw SJNY Long Island’s Department of Nursing present its graduating students with pins in light of their recent accomplishments. Also hosted by Dr. Giannakas-Lafaro, more than 60 students made up this year’s graduating class, joined by faculty, friends and family in the Muriel & Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts.
Winners of this year’s nursing awards on the Long Island Campus were presented to: Vanessa Ganley (Associate Dean Award), Mariam Sheikh (Social Responsibility and Service Award), Michaela Barresi (Spiritual Values and Integrity Award), Cody Bruen (Leadership Award) and Casey Schmoger (Nightingale Student Nurse Award).
The Long Island Nurses Honor Guard were in attendance as honored guests.
