New freshmen and transfer students at SJC Brooklyn tuned into St. Joseph’s virtual investiture ceremony on Facebook and YouTube on Sept. 14, continuing the College’s 105-year-old tradition of officially investing its new class. The video was viewed nearly 530 times on the two platforms combined.
Investiture, the first academic event of the year for the freshman class, allows family members and loved ones to see their children make the leap to college life. The ceremony symbolizes the beginning of the Class of 2024’s journey as college students and St. Joseph’s investing them into the College community.
St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., addressed the new students during the event, donning his academic attire. He welcomed the class to the St. Joseph’s community, sharing the College’s core values: service, social responsibility, intellectual rigor, integrity, and spirituality.
“When I was thinking today about what I was going to say, I was really struck by something … even though these are very dark times, there are certain things which help us to get through those dark times, and those are the values that we carry in our hearts,” Dr. Boomgaarden said. “St. Joseph’s College has values, and we try to present them to our students, and they are lived out by our faculty members and by our staff, and of course by all of our alums. And some of these values will allow you to cope with the current crises that we face.”
Investing in a New Class
As with the traditional ceremony, students recited the Oath of Integrity and listened to words of encouragement from St. Joseph’s administrators and faculty. Among them: Phillip Dehne, Ph.D., executive dean; Olusola Togun-Butler, Ph.D., associate chairperson and assistant professor of human services; Sister Marie Mackey, C.S.J., director of campus ministry; and Robert Riley, Ph.D., provost and dean for academic affairs.
Student Government Association President Nicholas Gangone ’21, energetically welcomed his new peers during the virtual ceremony. He spoke about a few of his favorite things about St. Joseph’s College — including the way it feels like a home away from home, the strong network of professionals in the alumni network, and its diverse selection of clubs and organizations.
“I remember sitting at my investiture as if it were yesterday, and it gave me many great things to look forward to — in addition to welcoming me to the St. Joseph’s family,” Gangone said from The Hill Center. “I do not believe that there is a more appropriate year to celebrate your investiture than in 2020.
“This has been a hard year for all of us and pushed us to reflect on what is most important in life — especially in examination of our character,” he continued. “This year highlighted how precious the gift of life is and how unpredictable it can be. It showed us how fast life can change, and the value of having consistency and structure. Throughout the year, our College has constantly adapted, overcame, and continues to persevere through any hurdles thrown in front of the success of its students. The College is here for your academic and professional success.”
Watch the ceremony here:
SJC Brooklyn invites new students, along with their family and friends, to participate in Investiture, an annual event where the newest members of the College community are formally invested after reciting the Academic Integrity Pledge.
Posted by St. Joseph's College NY on Monday, September 14, 2020
