St. John’s University to Celebrate Service at Annual Vincentian Convocation

(Queens, NY, Sept. 6, 2024) – St. John’s University will honor three regional leaders and three social-service organizations whose values reflect the University’s Catholic and Vincentian commitment on Thursday, September 26. The awards will be presented at the annual Vincentian Convocation ceremony, a highlight of the University’s celebration of Founder’s Week, from Friday, September 20, to Friday, September 27. 

Joanne Persico ’93MBA, ’09PD, Head Coach of the Red Storm Women’s Volleyball team, will receive the Vincentian Mission Award, given to a member of the faculty, staff, or administration who has best demonstrated a commitment to the University’s mission. A four-time Hall-of-Famer, Coach Persico is the longest-tenured female coach in the history of St. John’s Athletics and the all-time winningest head coach at a single BIG EAST Conference program.

Serena Martin, Executive Director of Brentwood, NY-based New Hour for Women and Children – Long Island, will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal. The medal is given to a Catholic laywoman who embodies the spirit of Mother Seton (1774–1821), who was canonized in 1975. Ms. Martin leads New Hour in providing resources and training programs to women who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. 

Dylan Corbett, Executive Director of Hope Border Institute, will receive the St. Vincent de Paul Medal, given to a Catholic layman who embodies St. Vincent de Paul’s (1581–1660) values of service to the needy. Mr. Corbett collaborates with Vatican efforts to address issues at the US-Mexico border, providing humanitarian assistance to border refugees.

The organization The Bridge to Life, Inc., will receive the Frédéric Ozanam Award, accepted by Catherine Donohoe, President of the Bridge Women’s Support Center. The Ozanam Award is given to an organization that blends quality service with effective and respectful concern for the needy. The Bridge to Life provides life-affirming information on pregnancy options to women and families facing unexpected pregnancies. It provides counseling, education, and material resources to women and families in Queens, NY and the metropolitan area and to parents facing challenges in supporting children. 

The housing-service group Famvin Homeless Alliance will receive the International Medal, accepted by Mark McGreevy, Chief Executive of DePaul International Group, for its contributions to the global Vincentian community. Famvin Homeless Alliance, working under the DePaul Group, provides resources to combat generational poverty and homelessness through its 13 Houses Campaign.

Celebrating its 125th year of service to poor and disenfranchised communities, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will receive the Caritas Medal, accepted by Richard Slizeski, Senior Vice President of Mission for the organization. Mr. Slizeski will also deliver the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice lecture during the convocation ceremony, which begins at 3:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens, NY, campus. 

The theme of 2024 Founder’s Week is the Vincentian question, “What Must be Done,” calling on all members of the St. John’s community to reflect on their commitment to social justice through meaningful acts of service. 

Other events taking place during Founder’s Week include the annual University Service Day on Saturday, September 21, when volunteers from St. John’s and local communities can demonstrate St. Vincent’s vision through volunteer work in food pantries, nursing homes, schools, parks, and other locations. 

University Giving Day—St. John’s largest online fundraising event of the year—is Tuesday, September 24. Members of the St. John’s community can support several University fundraising campaigns that respond to local and global needs and create sustainable change.

# # #

About St. John’s University

St. John’s University is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholic University founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians), with its main campus located in Queens, NY. St. John’s University also has campuses and locations in Manhattan, Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Limerick, Ireland. 

St. John’s University is comprised of six Schools and Colleges, including the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies; St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;The Peter J. Tobin College of Business (including the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science); The School of Education; and the School of Law. 

As of Fall 2023, the University has more than 1,400 full-time and part-time faculty; almost 16,000 undergraduate students; and 3,992 graduate students from 44 states and 119 countries. St. John’s offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, including 16 doctoral programs.