October 13, 2008
Celebration Attended by Board Members,
Supporters on October 12
Officially marking its global presence for years to come, St.
John’s, along with members of the Board of Trustees, Board of
Governors and loyal supporters of the University, held a gala
celebration for its new campus location with a formal Blessing
& Dedication ceremony today in Rome, Italy.
Photo
gallery
A Eucharistic Celebration was held at the new St. John’s Rome
Campus (Via Marcantonio Colonna 21A), with principal celebrant His
Eminence Franc Cardinal Rode presiding. Following the Mass,
attendees assembled in the courtyard of the new campus where Rev.
Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University,
welcomed the crowd before turning the program over to Cardinal Rode
and His Eminence John Cardinal Foley for the official blessing and
dedication of the new facility.
“We are especially blessed to celebrate our wonderful expansion
today with Cardinal Rode and Cardinal Foley. These blessings come
from God and we ask him to bless our students and look over them
during their time here (studying at the new Rome campus),” said
Rev. Harrington, C.M. “St. John’s University has a presence in
Paris, Spain and Ireland with our study abroad programs, but Rome
remains the heart of our global efforts.”
The new international location has historic roots that trace
back to the Vincentian Community – the same faith based community
which founded St. John’s in 1870 in the spirit and beliefs of St.
Vincent de Paul. That same year, the Vincentian Community in Rome
took residence in this very location, which is no small coincidence
to the leadership at St. John’s.
“We as Vincentian’s have come full circle and returned home,”
added Rev. Harrington, C.M. “Our students will be able to study in
a Vincentian environment and that’s very significant to us.”
St. John’s first established a presence in Rome in 1995,
offering graduate degrees in the areas of Business Administration
and Government & Politics. Dott. Massimiliano Tomassini,
Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of the Rome Campus,
will oversee the 4-story, 75,000 square foot facility that includes
9 classrooms, a student and faculty lounge, 200 resident beds, a
chapel, library, courtyard, campus ministry office and
administrative offices.
Located in the well-known Prati section of Rome, the
University’s historical partnership extends its distinctive
international service-learning program to Rome and other European
cities, creating opportunities for hundreds of students to study,
to serve and to conduct field-based research on solutions to
poverty with experts in the field of international social
service.
“I feel very privileged and fortunate to have the opportunity to
study in Rome at St. John’s,” said Robin Chichester, a first year
graduate student and native of Wisconsin who is working toward her
M.B.A in International Business. “I looked at a lot of schools but
St. John’s, hands down, had every single thing I was looking for in
a program. It was like my goals and the schools goals were aligned.
I feel like it was fate and I was definitely meant to be here.”
The celebration ended, in fine style, with the singing of a Song
of Blessing and Dedication and the fitting refrains:
“Let us build a house where love can dwell – built of hopes and
dreams and visions. All are welcome; all are welcome; all are
welcome in this place.”
About St. John’s Rome Campus
Classes in Rome began in September. Programs of study
include the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Government and Politics, which
brings students from around the world to analyze government issues
in an ideal setting. Areas of concentration include: International
Relations and International Law and Diplomacy Certificate.
The University’s Tobin College of Business offers exciting
opportunities for intellectual exchange and practical experience
through its M.B.A degree program. Graduates succeed with a global
mindset and relevant experience in today's global marketplace.
Areas of concentration include: Finance, International Business and
Marketing Management.
Undergraduate studies are also available, giving St. John’s
students an amazing opportunity to experience Europe in a home
environment. Semester, Summer and Winter program information is
available by visiting the Office
of Global Studies web site.
For more information regarding the Blessing & Dedication
contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media
Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185 or
e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
information regarding St. John’s Rome Campus visit the University
web site at www.stjohns.edu/rome