Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
St. John’s University in Queens, NY, came to a standstill on April 8 as skywatchers gathered on the Great Lawn to witness a celestial event that had not been seen in the New York City area for nearly a century. The total solar eclipse, which lasted from mid-afternoon until about 4 p.m., drew students, faculty, administrators, and staff who gathered behind protective glasses provided by the university.
"I actually have class in about a half-hour, but I wanted to come out to experience this," shared senior Giselle Abril, reflecting on the unique opportunity the university provided for its community members to witness the eclipse together. "That’s the cool part about St. John’s: There are gatherings like this all the time."
Anastasia Lamberinos, a first-year student at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, expressed her excitement, saying, "I love astronomy, and something like this doesn’t happen often. You also don’t see this many people gathering together except for maybe the Christmas tree lighting."
As the eclipse progressed, the Great Lawn filled with spectators, and even those without glasses were able to borrow a pair to catch a glimpse of the rare event. The atmosphere was festive, with music playing eclipse-themed songs like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “The Final Countdown.”
"We are having so much fun just meeting up with friends," shared senior Sofia Benenati, highlighting the joy and camaraderie among the attendees.
Some saw a deeper significance in the eclipse, with Jiana Estevez, a student pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing Analytics, reflecting, "We just celebrated Easter. As I get more into my faith, it does make you think about the spiritual reasons behind things."
The university community not only enjoyed the rare astronomical event but also seized the opportunity to come together and appreciate the beauty of the universe. While experts predict the next total solar eclipse in New York City won't occur until 2079, the memories of this special day at St. John’s University will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
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