Lucy A. Pesce, Executive Director for Mission Initiatives at St. John’s University, was recently recognized by Depaul USA with the Dax Champion Award. The award acknowledges her leadership and dedication to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, reflecting both her personal commitment and the university's broader mission.

Pesce has a long history with St. John’s University, beginning in 2000 as Associate Director of Leadership and Multicultural Student Programs. She later served as Associate Director of Student Development and returned in 2006 as Director of Leadership Development for Student-Athletes. In 2011, she became Executive Director for Mission, and in 2017 her responsibilities expanded to include oversight of what is now called The Institute for Vincentian Impact. She took on her current role in 2022 and recently completed her doctoral dissertation at Seton Hall University.

Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th., Executive Vice President for Mission at St. John’s University, praised Pesce’s approach: “Lucy’s ability to recognize repeated expressions of individual need as a systemic problem is part of her way of being Vincentian,” he said. “She precedes the Vincentian question, ‘What must be done?’ with a thorough analysis of what her mind and her heart are telling her. Lucy’s compassion hits the ground running, and people’s lives change.”

Jackie Lochrie, Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs at St. John’s University, added: “I can think of no other person who personifies the Vincentian charism and call to action, ‘What must be done?’”

The award was presented during Friendsgiving for Futures at Thomas Berry Place in Queens, New York. The event aimed to raise funds for Depaul USA Dax students living in New York City and featured stories from clients whose lives had been impacted by the program.

David N. Gachigo, Dean of Students at St. John’s University, congratulated Pesce: “A well-deserved recognition to Lucy for her continuous support and care of our students through a Vincentian prism.”

The Dax program is named after a town in France associated with St. Vincent de Paul and provides housing and support services to college students facing homelessness or housing insecurity. Currently, three Dax houses serve students from St. John’s University.