SJC Long Island welcomed one of its largest groups of incoming freshman and transfer students this week at two orientation sessions on the Patchogue campus. More than 800 students — including 400-plus members of the College’s centennial class of 2020 — took part in the daylong events that carried the theme, “Finding Yourself at SJC.”
Both days included a welcome address from the College’s Senior Vice President Dr. Christopher Frost, Ph.D., a keynote speech from professional speaker Arel Moodie, a student experience panel and a barbecue.
Dr. Frost kicked off the orientation events Aug. 23 and 24, urging students to …
Make the most of the opportunity and dive fully into the experience. Only 6 percent of people achieve a bachelor’s degree. That is how rare the opportunity you have today is.”
Orientation Leader Brianna Dipaola, a junior majoring in child study and speech, said she always tells freshmen …
Talk with professors, meet with them and go to office hours. Also, visit the career development office and take a personality test to find out more about who you are.”
At lunch during freshman orientation on Aug. 23, freshman biology major Rosiri Garcia, a Brentwood High School graduate, revealed why she chose SJC.
St. Joseph’s is like a home away from home. I fell in love with the College the very first step I took here.”
Later that afternoon, Mr. Moodie, a national best selling author and motivational speaker, made his 10th appearance at SJC, energizing the crowd and providing students with this lifelong lesson …
In life, we don’t regret what we do. We regret what we don’t do … If you’re not willing to stretch your comfort zone now, you’re going to live in fear. Stop being afraid of the person next to you.”
Conor Johnson, a junior studying criminal justice and history, shared the stage with Moodie and disclosed how he overcame his fears at SJC and started the political science club.
Step forward from where you think your limits are … Don’t be afraid if you’re on the fence about something. Just do it. It’s better to look back and say, ‘that was stupid,’ than to not have done it.”
Among the crowd of students was an aspiring nurse looking to get involved in campus life. Ward Melville High School graduate and incoming freshman Samantha Parrella said …
The nursing program is what attracted me to St. Joseph’s. I’m also interested in the Greek life here, student government and joining a nursing club.”
There were plenty of athletes at orientation, including Sachem East High School graduate Kyle Biggers, who kicks off his college career Aug. 29 – the first day of classes at SJC – as a business major …
I came here because I wanted to be a member of SJC’s first men’s volleyball team. I followed my high school coach William Kropp, who is now the head men’s volleyball coach here.”
Biggers’ future teammate David Slager, a freshman accounting major who graduated from Sayville High School in June, said he picked SJC for similar reasons …
I’ve only heard really good things about it [SJC]. It’s close to my house and I heard they were getting a volleyball program, so I decided to come.”
At transfer orientation on Aug. 24, Merve Destek, a native of Turkey who is transferring to SJC Long Island from Suffolk Community College, spoke of a journey that led her to major in medical technology.
I decided to take a few science classes at Suffolk, just because I took one of everything. And I fell in love with being in the lab, and working with hands-on lab technology.”
Former Dowling College baseball teammates, junior Dylan Piscitelli, a criminal justice major, and sophomore Anthony Raucci, an accounting major, are excited to now play for the Eagles on the diamond.
Dylan said …
St. Joe’s was the best fit … I can’t wait to turn-up double plays with this guy.”
