SJC Long Island hosted its annual Leadership Luncheon Saturday at Land’s End Caterers to honor student leaders and seniors for their many accomplishments .
Organized by the Center for Student Involvement, Leadership and Multicultural Programming and the Student Government Association (SGA), the luncheon celebrated students who go above and beyond in their dedication to the College and to others, while demonstrating exemplary leadership skills. St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., spoke at the event, thanking the students for their accomplishments and the faculty and staff for being excellent role models.
“The type of leadership you’ve learned at St. Joseph’s is modeled for you by the moderators and mentors sitting at these tables — our faculty and staff,” Dr. Boomgaarden said. “I always tell people, ‘If you’re worried about America or the future of the country, please come to my college, and you’ll feel a lot better.'”
The luncheon also honors members of the campus’ clubs and organizations, including the Campus Activities Board and SGA, as well as the EVOLVE leadership program participants, Orientation leaders, faculty and staff.
Extremely Involved
Among the star students at the Leadership Luncheon was senior Simran Kaur, a psychology major with minors in speech; philosophy; and labor, class and ethics. President of the Philosophy Society, Kaur received one of the Vice President for Student Life awards and one of the President’s awards, as well as the Innovation and Club of the Year awards for the Philosophical Society.
Kaur helped re-found the Philosophical Society in 2018 after years of its absence from campus. She also has served as vice president of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter since fall 2017 and as vice president of the Psychology Club since fall 2018. Through her involvement with each club, Kaur helped host successful informational and charitable events on and off campus, raising awareness and funds for various philanthropic efforts.
“I feel absolutely honored to have been able to receive these recognitions,” Kaur said. “The Philosophical Society executives worked extremely hard to create different connections and bring together students of all disciplines. There are so many great organizations on campus that hold amazing philanthropies and raise awareness for so many different causes, and to be able to work with them to implement creative and innovative events was a true pleasure.
“To be recognized for this has only motivated us to continue to do more, bring together more students and work with more organizations on campus,” she continued. “We want to thank Bryan Gill, Hugo Morales, Michelle Frati and all the SGA executives for helping this club become what it has, for supporting our ideas and for giving us these awards!”
In addition to her abundant involvement in student life activities, Kaur also serves a work study on campus, and she is a research assistant and intern on campus for Dominique Treboux, Ph.D., professor and chair of psychology. She’s presented her research at numerous conferences. She is set this fall to attend New York University to pursue an master’s in general psychology, with hopes down the road of applying to Ph.D. programs in social psychology.
Creating a Brighter Future
Another exemplary student honored was senior Deborah Rehm, an organizational management major with minors in marketing and labor, class and ethics. She took home the Vice President for Leadership Award and one of the Leader on the Horizon awards.
A transfer student from Suffolk County Community College, Rehm quickly immersed herself in the College’s community, becoming involved in the Service Circle, Philosophical Society and Nicaragua Project. She’s also a member of Delta Epsilon Sigma, Gamma Tau Delta and Kappa Gamma Pi, and she completed the EVOLVE Leadership Program.
Rehm also established a Fair Trade Week at SJC Long Island, providing students the opportunity to learn skills while working the sale. And as a member of Evening/Weekend College, Rhem is working on creating a leadership and life skills committee/club for fellow classmates to become involved and develop an emotional connection with St. Joseph’s. She is working on this with the help of the Center for Student Involvement.
“The best thing about being involved is meeting people you would not ordinarily come in contact with, like President Boomgaarden,” Rehm said. “Involvement offers new friendships, learning opportunities, and personal and professional growth. It forms lifelong memories that establish the emotional connection to SJC long after graduation. I look forward to the future, and of being a proud graduate of SJC, which has become a family to me.”
Rehm, a former licensed practical nurse, plans on starting a nonprofit organization after graduation, to help provide undergarments, diapers and feminine hygiene products to those in need.
“I would like to fight for legislation that would allow diapers and hygiene products to be considered a covered necessity instead of a luxury,” Rehm said.
Other Honorees Included:
• Brooke Shellman, Rachel Sullivan, Nicole Stamatiades, Sydney Steuernagel and Natalie DiMasi received Leader on the Horizon awards.
• Michael Esposito, recipient of the inaugural Schwarzkopf Award for Military Excellence.
• Carly Credidio, Samantha Harris and Joseline Yanes received Campus Ministry awards.
• Jonathan DiMaria received the Rising Leader Award.
• Nicole Stamatiades received the Student Encouragement Award.
• Kaitlyn Rodriguez received a Leadership in Action Award.
• Katherine Escobar received a President’s Award.
• BASIC and Nicaragua Project garnered Service awards.
• Alpha Gamma Delta received Greek Life of the Year.
