NYC Gazette

Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, NY, and St. John’s University recently came together for a community event celebrating their longstanding ties. The gathering, which took place on Sunday, April 21, at St. John’s Queens campus, brought current students, alumni, and families from both institutions for a day of networking, barbecue, and baseball.

In his welcome address, James Lally ’07CPS, Senior Director of Employer Relations at St. John’s, highlighted the strong relationship between the two schools, stating, "We always knew there was a strong relationship." Lally emphasized the pride associated with this connection, noting, "It’s very real, it’s something to be very proud of, it’s something to tap into, and it’s the reason we’re all here today."

The event provided an opportunity for current Molloy students to immerse themselves in the spirit of St. John’s and gain insights into the academic bond shared by the institutions. Francisco Resto, an Admission Counselor at St. John’s, expressed his enthusiasm for meeting with attendees, stating, “I’m really excited to meet with the students and their families from Molloy and learn what they want to do in college.”

Among the participants was Aiden DeJesus, a Molloy student accepted at St. John’s, who shared his excitement, saying, “Growing up, I came to St. John’s Queens campus all the time for Red Storm Men’s Basketball games.” The event also included a guided tour of the University for families interested in exploring the facilities available for prospective students.

Darius Penikas, Ed.D. ’08GEd, Principal at Archbishop Molloy High School, highlighted the shared Catholic values of the two institutions, stating, “We both provide students with a great education and a moral compass to be kind and faithful leaders going forward.” Similarly, Craig Katinas, Executive Director of Development for Archbishop Molloy, emphasized the alignment of mission values as Catholic institutions, stating, “I was really blessed with the opportunity to partner with St. John’s University because there is so much overlap of shared alumni and mission values.”

The event, organized by various St. John’s departments, aimed to facilitate interactions between current and prospective students. Sara Hunt Munoz, Ed.D., Senior Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, highlighted the importance of such gatherings, stating, “I think this is the best way to learn about the school. It’s important to hear what the overall experience and academics are like, and learn more about the social scene.”

Aisha Surve, a senior at St. John’s, shared her perspective on the event, noting, “I chose St. John’s because it offered me a quality education close to home. I was also motivated by the strong relationship between the two institutions.” The day culminated in a baseball game between St. John’s and Butler University, providing guests with an opportunity to connect with fellow students and alumni while embracing the values of their closely-knit community.