Honors and Awards Programs

College of Professional Studies Honor Society
The College's Honor Society was formed to recognize those baccalaureate students who, by their continued academic excellence and involvement in school, church or community life have demonstrated that they are honor students. Students who apply for membership must have completed a minimum of 60 credits. Thirty of these 60 credits must have been taken in the College of Professional Studies and the applicant must have a cumulative index of 3.5 for all previous coursework, as well as a 3.5 at St. John's. To be considered for membership, students cannot have more than three withdrawals on their record. An induction ceremony is held each semester. (Spring induction is limited to potential May or September graduates.)

Alpha Phi Sigma – Criminal Justice Honor Society
The College of Professional Studies chapter, Alpha Epsilon Rho, was established to recognize outstanding students majoring in Criminal Justice. In order to qualify for induction, a student must be majoring in Criminal Justice, have a 3.0 overall index for all previous coursework (including transfer credits), and a 3.2 index in all courses completed in the Criminal Justice major. Applications are accepted during the fall and spring semesters. The induction ceremony is held at the annual awards night in the spring. A pin and a certificate are awarded to each inductee.

Nu Epsilon Delta – National Paralegal Honor Society
The St. John's University – College of Professional Studies Chapter, Gamma Chapter, was established in 1991 to recognize academic excellence in the field of Paralegal Studies. To qualify for induction, a student must be a major in Paralegal Studies (either A.S. or B.S. degree candidates) who achieves an overall grade point index of at least 3.0 after 45 credits, and at least a 3.4 in their major field with at least 12 credits completed. Applications are accepted in both the fall and spring semesters. Induction of students is made at the College of Professional Studies awards night each spring. Each inductee receives a certificate and a pin.

Aero – The National Broadcasting Society
Founded in 1943, Aero, the National Broadcasting Society, is an honor society for St. John’s communications majors. The organization strives to provide networking contacts to better prepare students for their careers. To qualify for induction, a student must have a 3.0 grade point average in all communications courses, and a 2.5 in all other courses. Alumni and interested professionals in the TV and radio industries are also invited to become members. Frequent meetings with speakers from the broadcasting industry are open to all interested students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Academic Awards and Distinctions
At the annual College of Professional Studies awards night, one outstanding bachelor and associate degree student is selected in each of the major areas of the College. These students are awarded a Gold Key. The recipient of each award is selected by the Dean of the College on the basis of a student's outstanding scholastic achievement in his or her area of concentration and the recommendations of faculty.

Silver Keys and Certificates of Achievement recognize other students for academic and non-academic achievement.

The Criminal Justice Professors Award
This award is given annually to an outstanding member of the graduating class completing a Criminal Justice major with the highest cumulative index in the major area.

Francis J. Flynn Award
This award, given on the merits of excellence in mathematics, was established in memory of Professor Francis J. Flynn, faculty member and first chairman of the Division of Computer Science, Mathematics and Science. It is presented annually to the Computer Science graduate having the highest index in Mathematics.

Alexander Laubach Memorial Award
This award is given for excellence in security administration. Established in memory of Professor Alexander Laubach, the first director of the Safety and Corporate Security (Security Administration) Program, the award is presented annually to the Security Administration graduate having the highest index in that major.

Marianne Noonan Memorial Award
Established in memory of a former Sports Management student, this award is presented annually to a senior majoring in Sports Management who has demonstrated the hard-working and well-balanced characteristics that best exemplify a St. John's student.

Panayotis Papadopoulos Award
Awarded annually, this recognizes a senior majoring in a Social Science program who has demonstrated extraordinary humanitarian qualities.

The Bessie and Isidor Shapiro Memorial Award
This award is given annually to a student majoring in Criminal Justice or Paralegal Studies in recognition of their motivation, demonstrated work ethic, character and scholarship.

The St. John's University Video Competition
This University-wide competition, sponsored by the College of Professional Studies, allows students to compete in all aspects of video production.

The Vincentian Spirit Award
This award is named for St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the Order of the Congregation of the Mission of Vincentians, the community which established and sponsors St. John's University. The Vincentian Spirit Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of College of Professional Studies students to the co-curricular life at St. John's University. Award recipients are nominated by the faculty based on their individual contributions to the organization's success.

West Publishing Company Award for Excellence in Paralegal Studies
This award, established by the West Publishing Company, is given annually on each campus to a senior majoring in Paralegal Studies who has made the greatest contribution to the Paralegal Program, as well as the St. John's community.

The Very Reverend Joseph T. Cahill, C.M. Leadership Award
This award is given to recognize students who have exhibited extraordinary qualities of leadership.

The College of Professional Studies Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
This award is given to outstanding alumni of the College of Professional Studies. Past recipients include: P. Kevin Castel, Esq., Class of 1972 (College of Professional Studies) and Class of 1975 (St. John's University School of Law) and Attorney Partner, Cahill, Gordon, and Reindel, Inc.; and Nelson D. George, Class of 1979, author of several books on contemporary music.