September 17, 2012
Each year, a small number of the best and brightest members of
the incoming Freshman class are awarded four-year, full tuition
academic scholarships. Known as Presidential Scholars, they are
selected because they embody every aspect of the University’s
mission: academic excellence, a commitment to service, and the
unmistakable promise of future success.
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Besides serving as an acknowledgement of what they have
accomplished in the past, Presidential Scholars are expected to
excel both during and after their time at St. John’s. Throughout
the more than 20 years that the University has awarded these
prestigious grants, that expectation has been fulfilled many times
over.
At a recent reception for these gifted students, St. John’s
University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. reminded them
that their scholarship comes with an expectation that they will
always remember the faith that the University and its donors have
placed in them.
“Live up to the trust of the people who have sacrificed
their own resources to make it possible for you to come here,”
urged Fr. Harrington. “Do your best. Use your abilities to shape an
ever better future for yourself. In doing that, you’ll be making
St. John’s a much better university.”
Helping students build a better future has always been a priority
for Margaret “Peg” D’Angelo ’70Ed. She and her husband Peter
(’78MBA, ’06HON) are among St. John’s most generous donors,
directing much of their support to scholarships and other
initiatives that enhance the student experience at the University.
She was pleased to share her thoughts, both as an alumna and donor,
about how being selected as a Presidential Scholar implies a
certain responsibility to share their gifts with others.
“Your scholarship is an indication of the Vincentian spirit in
action,” she noted, “and sharing that spirit with others is a
wonderful way to show your appreciation to the University that has
done so much for so many, including each of us here today. I hope
that you will remain connected to the University for the rest of
your life, and that when success knocks on your door, as it surely
will, you’ll remember the students who will then be where you are
today and share your generosity with them, just as our alumni have
shared theirs with you.”
Tamara Terzian ’15CPS readily admits that she would not
have been able to attend St. John’s without her scholarship. Her
father passed away without life insurance when she was 11 years
old, and it was only through the generosity of donors whom she
describes as “…major blessings from God in my life” that she was
able to realize her dream of a St. John’s education.
“My scholarship gives me so much time to concentrate on my studies
and lets me take advantage of so many things at St. John’s,” she
said. “I do service with the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship,
and that has been such an amazing experience. My service
experiences are really helping me with my spiritual growth. I’ve
done service off-campus as well at the Chapin Nursing Home, and
that’s been life changing for me. God willing, after I graduate and
become successful, I would love to do for other students the same
thing that is being done for me. I will never, ever forget the
wonderful people who have made it possible for me to be a part of
St. John’s. They are truly doing God’s work here on Earth.”
When
Christina Barate ’14TCB learned that she had been selected as a
Presidential Scholar, her first reaction was a sense of
overwhelming excitement that she would be leaving her home in El
Paso, TX to attend a major university in New York City that would
prepare her for a career in Finance. She arrived at St. John’s
determined to take advantage of every possible opportunity, and
during the past two years has incorporated service to others as a
way to show her appreciation for what is being done for her.
“It’s really wonderful that so many generous people believe in the
students here and want to do what they can to help us succeed,” she
noted. “St. John’s is all about doing service for others, and I do
so much service with my sorority sisters, and at the end of the day
that makes me feel great. I honestly believe that much has been
given to me, and I feel that I have a responsibility to share that
with others. The donors who helped to fund my scholarship made an
investment in me, and I promise to never let them down. Years from
now, it will be an honor for me to do the same for others.”
Although he’s only been at St. John’s for a few weeks,
Freshman Jonathan Levitt ’17TCB already realizes that being freed
from the burden of tuition allows him to devote himself exclusively
to making the most of his University experience. Growing up in
Pittsburgh, PA, he wanted to go away to college, preferably one
that had a reputation for excellence in the preparation of future
business leaders. St. John’s was on his short list of applications,
but it was only when he was notified of his Presidential
Scholarship, a reality that both honored and surprised him, that
his decision was made.
“When I learned that I was getting a Presidential Scholarship I was
honestly shocked,” he recalled. “I knew that the University had a
lot of scholarships for Catholic students, but being a Jewish
student coming to a Catholic university I never imagined that I
would get a Presidential Scholarship. I was very surprised at that
and I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me that the University
believes in me, and I want to give back after my time here is done.
Even while I’m a student, I want to do everything that I can to
help make St. John’s a better place.”
English major Michael Hyland ’13C appreciates his
scholarship for both practical and personal reasons. Now in his
fourth and final year at St. John’s, he acknowledges that his sense
of gratitude for what was given to him has increased over time,
making it likely that he will do the same for others once his
professional life becomes established.
“The donors gave me an opportunity I never thought I’d have,” he
said. “I’ll graduate debt-free from college, which is almost
unheard of today. I feel truly blessed, and I can’t thank those
donors enough. These have been the best years of my life, and the
opportunities that I’ve gotten at St. John’s have been truly
amazing. I believe in the expression ‘What goes around, comes
around’, and I’ll definitely return the favor and be generous to
St. John’s once I graduate and begin my career.”