NYC Gazette

More than 100 supporters of St. John’s University convened on April 10 for the 14th Annual Leaders in Education Awards Dinner. This event celebrates alumni and faculty of The School of Education who have significantly impacted students' lives over the years.

Joseph Sciame, '71Ed, Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board, The School of Education, and a retired Vice President of the Office of Community Relations, served as the evening's master of ceremonies. In his opening remarks, Sciame stated, “We entered as freshmen or graduate students, were taught well, gained expertise in our related fields of education, and graduated—and now you are being saluted with some of our best. It is your night to shine with family, friends, and school officials.”

The event took place at the Stewart Manor Country Club and acknowledged the dedication of six distinguished alumni. This year, the School of Education also honored four faculty members with the Outstanding Faculty Award for their efforts in preparing future educators. Among the awardees was Liz Chase, Ed.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Chase expressed her appreciation, saying, “It’s such an honor to be among the women in this category. They are all tremendous faculty members. I have this enormous sense of pride being in their company.”

Alumni like Sonia Nieto, Ed.D. ’65Ed, were also honored for their contributions as educators. Nieto shared her teaching philosophy by saying, “When I was a student, I learned that we are there to serve others. I hope that my greatest contribution is teaching teachers who, in turn, teach children and young people, to be a decent person, how to love their neighbor, and how to think about others and not just themselves.”

Similarly, Deacon Scott J. Conway '98C, '07GEd, highlighted the influence of St. John’s University on his professional path: “The formation of the Vincentian community and the mission of St. John’s really formed me from my years as an undergraduate all the way through my master’s in education. I’m grateful for the gift St. John’s provided me in an education—but mostly, I’m grateful to have been exposed to the Vincentian charism. That really stuck with me all these years, and now really pushes me to do what I do now in serving the people of my diocese in Florida.”

The dinner was both a recognition of individual successes and a reflection of the shared values and communal spirit that the School of Education holds dear. Dean James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., remarked, “It’s really exciting to have an event like this, where we bring our alumni together with our faculty and all of their families. It’s how we build community at St. John’s, and it’s a point of pride for all of us, because education is what St. John’s is based upon.”