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

Abounding in optimism and inspired by the possibility of a St. John’s University education, almost 2,600 students moved into the University’s Residence Village, climaxing a week in which resident students arrived on campus ahead of the start of classes on September 4.

Resident students, some from as far away as Australia and Uzbekistan, including 926 first-year students, unpacked their belongings in what has become an end-of-summer tradition on the Queens, NY campus.

The next generation of Johnnies included Tyson Hagler of Clarksville, TN, by way of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, who plans to study Television and Film at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies. It also included Stephanie Maceiko of Bowie, MD, a Government and Politics student at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who arrived with her parents eager to get her St. John’s experience underway.

“I am anxious to get started, more than anything,” Stephanie said on Saturday, August 31, when most first-year students moved in. “I just hope everything goes smoothly.”

Stephanie, a baseball fan, was lured to St. John’s by one of its most celebrated athletes, World Series champion Frank Viola. Stephanie befriended Mr. Viola during a tour of minor-league ballparks with her father.

“I told Mr. Viola where I was interested in going,” Stephanie recalled. “He said, ‘They are a rival of St. John’s. You should look at St. John’s instead.’ I did, and I really liked it. So here I am.”

Tyson traveled the world before settling into St. John’s and his first-year home in DaSilva Hall.The son of US Army parents spent his first year of high school in Saudi Arabia and his senior year in Abu Dhabi. In between while in Tennessee he researched St. John’s and was impressed by its television and film curriculum.

“I was looking for schools with good TV and film programs and I wanted to be in New York,” Tyson said.“I heard so many good things about St.John's.”

This year marks 25 years since St.John's first opened residence halls on the Queens campus transforming the historically local commuter campus to one with national and global reach.The Fall 2024 entering class features resident students from 44 US states and 43 international countries.

Streams of new students and their parents gathered outside University gates beginning at 8 a.m.on August 31 continuing through early afternoon.There they were greeted by representatives from the Department of Public Safety volunteers from the Office of Residence Life who together helped make the process as efficient as possible.Once moved in students parents were welcome to enjoy lunch at Montgoris Dining Hall.

“I couldn’t tell but my daughter told me my wife cried in the car for 40 minutes,” said Phil Azzarello who came from Staten Island NY with wife Julie to assist son Matthew moving into Hollis Hall.“It’s an emotional day but we are so proud of him.”

Move-In Weekend is the busiest time for the Office Of Residence Life.Jason T.Bartlett Ph.D.Director Office Of Residence Life lightheartedly likened it to office's Super Bowl Sunday,“except that is only one day.This is more like holiday weekend fun for everyone.”

While there was no Super Bowl-style halftime performance celebratory music courtesy University Pep Band cascaded from deck new $106 million St.Vincent Health Sciences Center.A DJ series photo stations helped families mark day special.

Among students moving onto campus over weekend were more than 100 Johnnies who made move following closure St.John's Staten Island NY campus earlier this year.

Mother Nature cooperated too.A bit sun peeked between clouds rain stayed away making trouble-free morning.

Outside Residence Village courtyard volunteers delivered information about extracurricular organizations student resources including counseling wellness services; Campus Ministry programs; community service opportunities; Student Government Inc.; more.

First-year student Gabriella Setaro Brooklyn NY daughter Peter Setaro ’98CBA said Move-In Weekend enthusiasm confirmed everything she heard about St.John's why she wanted attend.She will spend her first year Donovan Hall.

“It won’t feel truly real until I am moved in,” said Gabriella part third class Nursing students enter University.“But I know I am going successful starting career here.Enjoying where you are what you do big part being happy personal journey.”

Watch highlights from Fall 2024 Move-In Weekend.

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