Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University held its annual Employee Recognition Convocation on May 23, honoring nine employees with Outstanding Achievement medals and presenting Certificates of Recognition to 26 retiring employees for their years of service. The event took place at Carnesecca Arena, following a series of graduation ceremonies that culminated in the University's 154th Undergraduate Commencement on May 19. A lunch was held afterward at Taffner Field House.

“We have been on this stage a few times lately,” University President Brian J. Shanley, O.P., remarked in his welcome address. “Despite the fact that we might self-identify with our particular jobs, we are doing something much bigger together. That much bigger purpose is that we are all educators. We are all engaged in educating young people.”

In total, 90 employees were acknowledged during the convocation, including 52 individuals recognized for 25 years of service. Three employees—William J. Boyle, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Division of Arts and Humanities; Gary V. Mongiovi, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance; and Ann M. Hurt ’89MLS, Registrar at the School of Law—were honored for their 40 years of service to St. John’s.

Joseph Sciame ’71Ed, recently retired Vice President for Community Relations, was also acknowledged for his more than 60-year association with the University that began with his hiring in 1962.

Keaton Wong, J.D., Associate Vice President for Human Resources, presented Outstanding Administrator Achievement medals to three administrators: Lauren Alexis Drakakis from Information Technology; Liauty E. Elie ’11C, ’16GEd from Student Financial Services; and Sr. Patricia Evanick, D.C. ’97GEd from Campus Ministry.

Outstanding Staff Achievement medals were awarded to Gregory A. Danca Jr., Quality Assurance Investigator; Eileen T. Jounakos ’90CBA from the Department of Philosophy; and Diane M. Spitz from the Department of Psychology.

Nancy S. Kaplan ’90SVC, ’92MBA, ’94PD, ’00Ed.D., Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Partnerships presented Outstanding Faculty Achievement medals to Keith Cozine, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security; Courtney Selby, J.D., Professor of Legal Research and Associate Dean for Library Services; and Yong Yu, Ph.D., Professor and Graduate Director in Biological Sciences.

Among those retiring was André McKenzie, Ed.D., Vice Provost for Academic Support Services whose career at St. John’s began in 1986 as Assistant Dean of Student Development. Dr. McKenzie served as distinguished speaker and received the President’s Medal at the University’s undergraduate Commencement in 2022.