Ready. Set.
Go Forth
“As wonderful as your university years have been, you are now prepared for more beautiful years,” SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., told the crowd of graduates eager to walk across the stage and turn their tassels.
In addition to recognizing their achievements, Dr. Boomgaarden lauded the graduates for their determination, hard work and commitment to the SJNY community, urging them to use this accomplishment to propel their future and impact the world around them.
“Remember what you have learned from your time with us and that you live in our hearts and are a part of a tradition of service and commitment to making this world a better place,” he said.
Faces in the Crowd
This year’s graduates included those who arrived at SJNY as college freshmen having spent portions of their high school years under COVID protocols; transfers who had their fires reignited inside a St. Joe’s classroom; international students who navigated the complexities of U.S. higher education while living thousands of miles from home in New York City; and adult learners who tapped SJNY’s online programs to complete a four-year degree that would expand their career or shift gears into new fields with an M.A., M.S. or MBA.
SJNY’s valedictorians — Caroline O’Dea (Long Island) and Yashal Jalil (Brooklyn) — both transferred to St. Joe’s after attending other institutions.
“Before St. Joseph’s, I had completed my freshman year at a different university where I struggled to find my right path. Attending St. Joseph’s not only helped me find my way, but also made me fall back in love with learning and reinstated my confidence about the future of my education,” O’Dea said.
“Something about St. Joe’s stood out to me in a way that no other school had. The thought of being in Clinton Hill felt enchanting, even romantic. After taking a virtual tour of the campus, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Leonard Cohen’s hauntingly beautiful song, ‘Famous Blue Raincoat.’ It just felt right,” said Jalil, who hails from Pakistan.
U.S. Air Force veteran Kaylon Centers discovered SJNY’s online programs through the University’s partnership with Air University (AU-ABC). Prior to this, Centers served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force with the 424th Air Base Squadron’s Fire Department, assigned to commands in the United Kingdom and Belgium.
“My experience at St. Joseph’s has given me the confidence and ambition to succeed. Every professor at St. Joseph’s has left an indelible mark on my journey and each one has contributed something wonderful to the experience,” she said.
For Victor Naci, the opportunity to attend school in New York City was a dream come true. Hailing from France, he found a home on the Brooklyn Campus and the soccer pitch. He leaves SJNY with a degree in Organizational Management with a minor in Business Administration, and his name in the record books as the soccer program’s all-time leading scorer.
Trista Buck donned an SJNY jersey as a member of the Long Island soccer and flag football teams. Part of the Educator’s Club, Circle K and Diversity Union, she also earned an Elite 19 award, given by the Skyline Conference to a student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA within their chosen sport. Buck graduated with a B.A. in Child Study with a concentration in speech and will pursue her M.A. in Special Education with an Annotation in Severe and Multiple Disabilities as part of a five-year, dual-degree program at St. Joseph’s.
Eileen Conway, who graduated from SJNY in 2023 with a B.S. in Human Services, walked across the stage in May having earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Before deciding to switch gears and become a social worker, Conway enjoyed a long career as a nurse. She was drawn to St. Joe’s MSW program because of its hybrid schedule.
And she’s not done yet; Conway plans to continue her education with a goal of earning a doctoral degree while working as a social worker.
Brianna Rezza was part of SJNY’s latest cohort of nursing students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Now, she’s ready to pursue her dream career as a labor and delivery nurse.
SJNY’s tight-knit STEM community on the Brooklyn Campus — professors, friends and students — created a supportive environment for Kaela Collazo, the 2024-2025 recipient of the Doris Oshinski Powers ’53 Endowed Scholarship. When her workload got heavy (in her final semester, she took four science courses), those bonds were important.
“As a student in STEM, I truly appreciate the community I have around me,” said Collazo, who outside of her time in the classroom worked as a lab assistant in the biology department for three years and participated in SJNY’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program, exploring behavioral outcomes of prenatal stress, such as circadian and malnutrition stress.
Their stories are unique, but members of the Class of 2025 share a common bond as the newest St. Joe’s alumni, ready to go forth into the world and fulfill the University’s motto: Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem.”
That message was echoed by Dr. Latoya O’Gere ’11, ’18, a member of the SJNY board of trustees, who presented the alumni address.
“Today marks not an ending, but a beautiful beginning — your transition from students to proud alumni of St. Joseph’s University, New York…. Remember that your connection to St. Joseph’s doesn’t end with this ceremony. It evolves. The community that supported you through study sessions, celebrated your achievements, provided opportunities and challenged you to grow is now yours to help shape for future generations.”
She continued, “Our alumni change lives in boardrooms, classrooms, hospitals, courtrooms and communities worldwide. You now join their ranks and we can’t wait to see what you do.”