By Tien-Shun Lee
Bearing feelings of excitement, nervousness and relief, more than 900 St. John’s University students dressed in red graduation gowns lined up outside the school’s auditorium Sunday morning, ready to receive their bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
“It’s fantastic. I feel great relief and a great sense of accomplishment,” said David Aulisio, 28, a marketing student from Long Island who was prepared to receive his master’s in business administration after five years of studying at SJU. “Now I can concentrate on my marriage.”
Students praised the university for its open-minded professors, applied curriculum and diverse student body and faculty.
“I’m excited about graduating. It was a long road, but it made things a lot easier when I learned stuff in school and could use it at work,” said Tara Canini, 26, a master’s student who worked with autistic 3-year-olds at a pre-school in Staten Island, in addition to attending school at night.
During the commencement ceremony, students and their families listened to a speech given by the SJU president, Rev. Donald Harrington, followed by a keynote speech given by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
“I encourage you as graduates to recognize that the education you have received and the skills and competencies which are now yours require you to play a role in shaping the policies of your country,” said Harrington, after beginning his address by highlighting the fact that the nation is now on the brink of yet another war. “You have an obligation to use these gifts which are now yours, to better the country or world in which you live.”
After congratulating students on their achievements, Schumer also spoke about the possible war with Iraq, praising some Army reservists he had recently met for their role in keeping the country safe and happy.
The senator talked about how rapidly technology has developed over the past decade.
“In 1993, there were 15 Web sites on the World Wide Web. Today there are 14 million. That’s technology changing our world,” he said. “If there was ever a time to take a chance on yourself, it’s now… Go for it. Take the risk and don’t let the fear of failure deter you.”
Honorary degrees to recognize achievement and establish a connection with the university were given to John Kander and Fred Ebb, the composer and lyricist of numerous Broadway hits, including “Chicago” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and also to Hari Harilela, a renowned Hong Kong businessman who owns several Holiday Inn Hotels, among other businesses.
With degrees under their belts, some SJU students looked forward to new jobs, while others planned to pursue more advanced degrees, or to continue working at jobs they already had.
“Right now I’m kind of worried because the job situation in New York is not so great,” said Paul Alli, 22, a Hollis resident who was graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science after four years at the university. “But I’ve made some connections and, hopefully, I’m going to be starting a job with AOL.”
Reach reporter Tien-Shun Lee by email at Timesledger@aol.com, or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
