Oct. 1 marked a social and academic transition in the lives of first-year students at St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Long Island Campus as they were formally welcomed into the SJNY community.
The fall 2026 Investiture ceremony is an annual and honored tradition, signifying the beginning of the student experience at SJNY. Held in the Muriel and Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts during common hour, the ceremony began with members of SJNY’s leadership and faculty taking the stage dressed in full academic regalia.
Professor and Chair of the Religious Studies Department, Thomas Petriano, Ph.D., opened the ceremony with an invocation before SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., took to the podium to officially address the Class of 2030.
He assured the group of first-year students that while there will be challenges that await them throughout the next four years, there will also be satisfaction in overcoming those challenges on their path to realizing their true selves.
“Challenges are wonderful ways to improve ourselves. In fact, a life without challenge is harder than a life with it … There isn’t anyone that you see in the news or read about that has accomplished anything that has not had to overcome challenges, sometimes ones that we cannot even imagine,” said President Boomgaarden.
He spoke about the courageous spirit that is embodied in every student that passes through the doors of St. Joseph’s University, as well as his excitement to see who they will eventually become when they cross the stage to receive their degrees during Commencement in four years’ time.
“The key component of success right now is: when you find yourself challenged, don’t fight it. Go to class, do your assignments, and do the best that you can even if it’s not quite to the standard that you would like it to be. Don’t set your goals so high that you can’t reach them. Just move forward slowly and work your way out of that net with patience and you will go very far,” he continued.
Leading the transition of the Class of 2030 was Assistant Vice President for Admissions Christina Seifert, who spoke to students about the SJNY community that will be there to teach and mentor them during their time at the University.
From finding guidance in SJNY’s dedicated faculty, as well as its staff and student body, Seifert encouraged the room of first-year students to build meaningful relationships, always ask questions and allow their curiosity to flourish.
“My hope for you, Class of 2030, as you start your educational journey here at St. Joe’s is that you stay curious. Be curious about your classes, about the people around you, about the ideas that challenge you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to be wrong, or to see something from a totally different perspective. You never know where your curiosity might take you,” Seifert shared.
Executive Dean for the Long Island Campus, Eileen White Jahn, Ph.D., explained how SJNY’s core curriculum was designed to provide students with foundational skills and opportunities to explore a variety of disciplines, while also leaving them with a word of advice.
“The answer is in your hands,” Dr. White said. “What you put into this experience is what you’ll get out of it.”
SJNY’s Executive Director of Student Involvement Leadership and Intercultural Engagement Bryan Gill then proceeded with the distribution of Class of 2030 pins, symbolizing students’ transition into the SJNY community, before all joined in taking the academic integrity pledge.
Closing out the ceremony were remarks from Vice President for Institutional Advancement Rory Shaffer-Walsh, and Student Government Association President Bryan Frascogna, who officially welcomed the Class of 2030 to St. Joseph’s University.
The event concluded with a benediction from Director of Campus Ministry Jonathan Galo.
