Ada Lee '15
"I have personal attention. I learn more and bond more with my fellow students. The professors are very helpful and knowledgeable, and you can tell they really have passion for the subjects that they teach. I feel this passion when I’m in the classroom, and it gives me incentive to strive for more."
After visiting St. John's on a campus tour, Ada Lee fell in love with St. John's. Even so, her acceptance into the University’s Honors Program is what sealed the deal for her. In fact, Ada believes that the Honors Program has enabled her to succeed even beyond what she had hoped.
A Marketing major with a minor in International Studies, Ada does not compromise when it comes to her studies. She has taken full advantage of almost every honors class her schedule has allowed, including the special honors business options offered through the University's Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
Ada plans on pursuing a five-year combined Bachelor of Science - Master of Business Administration degree program in Marketing. She likes the Honors Program particularly because of the smaller class sizes. “In almost all of my classes, I’ve had between fifteen to twenty classmates,” she noted. “The Honors Program here at St. John’s is unique and amazing. I have personal attention. I learn more and bond more with my fellow students. The professors are very helpful and knowledgeable, and you can tell they really have passion for the subjects that they teach. I feel this passion when I’m in the classroom, and it gives me incentive to strive for more.”
Ada also has taken advantage of every extra curricular opportunity that St. John’s has offered her. “St. John’s is an amazing university. It offers so many extracurricular activities to choose from! But it is through these activities that I have found my niche here and feel part of the SJU community.”
Ada is also an Orientation Leader, and this allows her to meet with and mentor incoming freshmen while acquainting them with campus services and resources. Her involvement as Project AIM Peer Mentor connects her directly with Asian and international students on cultural assimilation and leadership development.
Ada took an Honors Discover New York class in her freshmen year with Dr. Robert Pecorella, who taught the class the history of New York through an international socio- economic perspective. She enjoyed this class so much that she decided to become a DNY Peer Leader.
Vincentian Service is what lies at the core of Ada’s multitude of activities. She is involved in a variety of Campus Ministry events, including the Music Ministry Church Choir and V.I.T.A.L. She has also participated in a variety of service projects including Midnight Runs, Relay for Life and St. John’s Bread and Life soup kitchen. She is the President of Circle K International, an international service organization that promotes friendships and leadership through service, as well as a Rendu Freshmen Plunge Leader. Ada is also active in Student Government Inc, works on campus and is involved in a multitude of school clubs.
Ada considers the Honors Program an invaluable part of her St. John’s experience. She is grateful for the opportunities it has provided her, both inside and outside the classroom. Whether it was attending the Honors Program social events, such as “Tea and Sympathy” with Dr. Forman, the historical walking tours of Manhattan or going to the New York City Ballet and Metropolitan Opera with free tickets offered through the Honors Program, Ada feels the program has enriched her education in every way.
