St. John’s Graduation Fair Showcases Resources Available to Soon-to-Be Alumni
An unmistakable sense of pleasure stuffed the D’Angelo Center on April 13 as St. John’s University hosted its first-ever Graduation Fair, a collaboration between the Office of Alumni Relations and Student Government, Inc. that served as a one-stop vacation spot for all issues associated to Commencement 2026.
Nearly 200 soon-to-be graduates loved a buffet and DJ music whereas gathering data important to the May 17 undergraduate ceremonyafter they formally start life as St. John’s alumni. Some college students, together with Jorge Velez, an advertising communications and public relations main from the Bronx, NY, couldn’t consider how shortly his time at St. John’s handed.
“It was super fast,” Jorge stated. “Looking back, the memories I made with my friends were incredible. It is crazy to think that in a short time I will be a student.”
Jorge and his pal Kristen Pooran, a marketing scholar, shared some small bites whereas gathered at an Alumni Relations data desk. The first in her household to attend school, Kristen referred to as her time at St. John’s “surreal.” She has been supplied a place as a advertising and communications supervisor with {a magazine} writer.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Kristen stated of commencement. “It feels like I started here just last week.”
Part data session and half celebration of the category of 2026, the inaugural Graduation Fair launched college students to alumni perks and advantages, University Career Services sources, and extra. Students may decide up class of 2026 sweaters, diploma circumstances, and scholarship cords whereas additionally receiving data on graduate faculty alternatives.
At separate tables, college students may additionally thank scholarship donors and, in fact, their mother and father and households. Aleena Alduenda, who will graduate with a bachelor’s diploma in psychology As a part of a five-year, dual-degree program, is one other first-generation school graduate.
“It is a huge accomplishment for me to graduate, but it is a reflection on my family as well,” Aleena stated. “It was not only my hard work, but the work of those who supported me.”
Giselle Suarez, graduating biology scholar, credited the St. John’s group with serving to set her on a path towards a profession as a doctor assistant. “Without the help of the alumni, facultystaff, and administration here, you would not be able to get far,” Giselle stated. “They are the ones who have gone ahead of you.”
Beatriz Vera, Assistant Director, Young Alumni and Student Engagement, Office of Alumni Relations, stated occasions such because the Graduation Fair assist the latest era of St. John’s graduates set up lifelong alumni connections.
“It is all about building that community—developing a pipeline between the school and its alumni early on and showing the students the value of being a St. John’s graduate,” Ms. Vera defined.
