Update from Father Shanley & Board Chair William J. Janetschek

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paultzman

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We are pleased to share some of the topics, highlights, and action items discussed at the most recent meeting of the St. John's University Board of Trustees held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Strategic Plan Reimagined
Fr. Shanley presented the Board with a streamlined Strategic Plan that better reflects the moment and movement of higher education today. Recognizing that our Catholic and Vincentian mission is more vital than ever, the University has launched a bold three-year strategic plan focused on three succinct and key institutional priorities.

First, Student Success aims to eliminate barriers and ensure all students—regardless of background—have the support and resources to graduate and thrive.

Second, Financial Health will strengthen the University's foundation through disciplined management and strategic investments, enabling greater support for students, faculty, and infrastructure.

Third, Operational Efficiency and Innovation will modernize academic and administrative processes through digital transformation, improving agility and service.

These priorities reflect a commitment to measurable progress, resource alignment, and transformative impact. The University calls on every member of its community to contribute to this next chapter with unity, urgency, and conviction. The future of St. John's, and the futures it helps create, depend on collective action and shared purpose. The Board of Trustees approved the Strategic Plan Reimagined 2025-2028.

Fall 2025 Enrollment Update
Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented information about the current enrollment landscape and Fall 2025 enrollment. While the enrollment numbers are not yet finalized, the Fall 2025 first-year undergraduate class is expected to exceed projections. Our resident student population also increased, as did transfer and graduate students, with the highest growth in online programs. However, with rapidly declining demographics in New York State and the Northeast, improving our student retention and persistence metrics is crucial for long-term sustainability. Furthermore, optimizing our academic program offerings to meet market demands and student outcomes will contribute to financial stability and improved student success outcomes. Dr. Møller introduced short-and long-term strategies to reimagine the institution in an ever-changing higher education market.

General Counsel Update
Terryl L. Brown, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel, discussed ongoing regulatory reforms and policy changes impacting higher education institutions. Ms. Brown summarized regulatory changes to federal student loan programs and policies. She shared legal guidance for "Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination," ensuring that institutions like St. John's comply with the latest federal antidiscrimination laws. In addition, Ms. Brown provided the Board with an update on the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations and real estate matters.

Advancement Update
Christian P. Vaupel, Ed.D., Senior Vice President for Advancement, presented an update on the $400 million comprehensive fundraising effort – "HEARTS ON FIRE: The Campaign for St. John's." This fundraising/engagement effort has meaningful momentum, with $268.8 million raised as of the end of August. Dr. Vaupel shared a timeline of the campaign's public phase and key activities and engagement strategies, including broad-based appeals for support and events and programs designed to engage larger numbers of people in the campaign. The campaign is expected to conclude on May 31, 2028.

Mission Update
Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th. '78NDC, Executive Vice President for Mission, presented how Catholic universities like St. John's face unique tensions in maintaining their religious identity, academic freedom, and operating within secular academic frameworks. Fr. Rooney discussed efforts and ideas to fortify and preserve Catholicity at St. John's that require intentional commitment to strengthening the relationship between our University and the Church. He shared ways that the University can continue to meaningfully contribute to the Church's work of evangelization through academic excellence and addressing contemporary challenges through the lens of Catholic social teaching.

Membership Update
The Board of Trustees elected four new members to the Board of Governors, effective immediately: Salvatore M. Barcia '79P, '86GP; Steven J. Farella '77SVC; Stacey I. Sikes '04C, '05G; and Kenneth R. Stoll '83CBA.
 
Great story and news from Fathers Shanley;

As a philosopher, I often react to unexpected moments by pursuing a philosophical explanation. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that God’s providence guides all things, including unforeseen events, within a broader framework of purpose. With that in mind—and with a heart filled with gratitude—I write to share some surprising news recently received that personifies the sheer wonder of the place we call St. John’s University.

The University was recently informed of a gift of $15 million from the Sallie Wang Revocable Trust. Sallie Wang was the widow of the late Professor Chin Ling Wang ’06HON.

Professor Wang was a tenured librarian at St. John’s for almost 30 years until he retired in the early 1980s. By all accounts, he and his beloved wife, Sallie, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, lived a modest life and kept a happy home adjacent to the Queens, NY, campus. Together, these hardworking Chinese immigrants pursued and achieved higher education—an extraordinary accomplishment at the time, considering their humble roots.

Early in his professional St. John’s career, Professor Wang implemented the transfer of the library collection from the former Brooklyn, NY, campus to what was then the University’s new home in Queens. He also initiated the Asian Collection at the University’s library. For years, he was a valuable contributor to the Institute for Asian Studies, first established in 1959, to foster, facilitate, and enhance a global, multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual education at St. John’s.

The Asian Collection, first housed in St. Augustine Hall until its move to its current setting in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, began as a collection of a few hundred books in the early 1960s and grew to a library of tens of thousands of titles. When the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966–76) unfolded—a decade-long, socio-political upheaval in China— it resulted in the widespread destruction of historical artifacts, books, and cultural and religious sites. Several of those historic artifacts were preserved due to the foresight and personal commitment of Professor Wang. Today, the strengths of the library’s collection include Chinese philosophy, theology, history, and literature, as well as Asian art, business, economics, and political science.

In 2006, the Chin Ying Asian Library on the Queens campus was established through a generous $1 million gift from Professor and Mrs. (Sallie) Chin Ling Wang. Additionally, they made several other gifts to St. John’s over the years, establishing in 2005 two annual scholarships awarded to a pair of graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in East Asian Studies or Chinese Studies.

The Wangs were members of The Founders Society, donating cumulative gifts of $1 million or more to the University during their lifetime, and members of The McCallen Society, a community of generous alumni, benefactors, and friends who demonstrate their commitment to the University in their estate plans. They were longtime and active St. John’s University Retirees’ Association members. For his indelible commitment to St. John’s, Professor Wang was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) in 2006.

Professor Wang died in 2015 at the age of 99. His beloved wife, Sallie, passed away earlier this year at the age of 94.

After consultation with members of Sallie’s family, the University will disburse the $15 million donation from the Wang Trust with these designated funding allocations:
  • $3 million to the Chin Ying Asian Library for capital improvements and an endowment to support future operations;
  • $2 million toward the basketball practice facility, with the Men’s Basketball team lounge to be named Chin Ying Lounge;
  • $5 million to create an Endowed Deanship in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, to be named Chin Ling and Sallie Wang Endowed Dean; and
  • $5 million to establish the Chin Ling and Sallie Wang Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will support students with financial need.
I want to thank two members of Sallie’s family, Carol Wang and her husband, Brandon Qu, for their help and thoughtful assistance in ensuring that her lasting wishes were fulfilled.

With profound gratitude to the Wang family and to the work of the Office of Advancement, I share this news to amplify the enduring and transformative impact of St. John’s. Through the University’s $400-million Hearts on Fire campaign, the power of philanthropy will continue to have a strong and positive impact on our students, faculty, facilities, and programs. Indeed, we are a blessed institution.
 
paultzman said:
Great story and news from Fathers Shanley;

As a philosopher, I often react to unexpected moments by pursuing a philosophical explanation. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that God’s providence guides all things, including unforeseen events, within a broader framework of purpose. With that in mind—and with a heart filled with gratitude—I write to share some surprising news recently received that personifies the sheer wonder of the place we call St. John’s University.

The University was recently informed of a gift of $15 million from the Sallie Wang Revocable Trust. Sallie Wang was the widow of the late Professor Chin Ling Wang ’06HON.

Professor Wang was a tenured librarian at St. John’s for almost 30 years until he retired in the early 1980s. By all accounts, he and his beloved wife, Sallie, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, lived a modest life and kept a happy home adjacent to the Queens, NY, campus. Together, these hardworking Chinese immigrants pursued and achieved higher education—an extraordinary accomplishment at the time, considering their humble roots.

Early in his professional St. John’s career, Professor Wang implemented the transfer of the library collection from the former Brooklyn, NY, campus to what was then the University’s new home in Queens. He also initiated the Asian Collection at the University’s library. For years, he was a valuable contributor to the Institute for Asian Studies, first established in 1959, to foster, facilitate, and enhance a global, multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual education at St. John’s.

The Asian Collection, first housed in St. Augustine Hall until its move to its current setting in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, began as a collection of a few hundred books in the early 1960s and grew to a library of tens of thousands of titles. When the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966–76) unfolded—a decade-long, socio-political upheaval in China— it resulted in the widespread destruction of historical artifacts, books, and cultural and religious sites. Several of those historic artifacts were preserved due to the foresight and personal commitment of Professor Wang. Today, the strengths of the library’s collection include Chinese philosophy, theology, history, and literature, as well as Asian art, business, economics, and political science.

In 2006, the Chin Ying Asian Library on the Queens campus was established through a generous $1 million gift from Professor and Mrs. (Sallie) Chin Ling Wang. Additionally, they made several other gifts to St. John’s over the years, establishing in 2005 two annual scholarships awarded to a pair of graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in East Asian Studies or Chinese Studies.

The Wangs were members of The Founders Society, donating cumulative gifts of $1 million or more to the University during their lifetime, and members of The McCallen Society, a community of generous alumni, benefactors, and friends who demonstrate their commitment to the University in their estate plans. They were longtime and active St. John’s University Retirees’ Association members. For his indelible commitment to St. John’s, Professor Wang was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) in 2006.

Professor Wang died in 2015 at the age of 99. His beloved wife, Sallie, passed away earlier this year at the age of 94.

After consultation with members of Sallie’s family, the University will disburse the $15 million donation from the Wang Trust with these designated funding allocations:
  • $3 million to the Chin Ying Asian Library for capital improvements and an endowment to support future operations;
  • $2 million toward the basketball practice facility, with the Men’s Basketball team lounge to be named Chin Ying Lounge;
  • $5 million to create an Endowed Deanship in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, to be named Chin Ling and Sallie Wang Endowed Dean; and
  • $5 million to establish the Chin Ling and Sallie Wang Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will support students with financial need.
I want to thank two members of Sallie’s family, Carol Wang and her husband, Brandon Qu, for their help and thoughtful assistance in ensuring that her lasting wishes were fulfilled.

With profound gratitude to the Wang family and to the work of the Office of Advancement, I share this news to amplify the enduring and transformative impact of St. John’s. Through the University’s $400-million Hearts on Fire campaign, the power of philanthropy will continue to have a strong and positive impact on our students, faculty, facilities, and programs. Indeed, we are a blessed institution.
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In his remarks yesterday at a Hearts on Fire event in Cutchogue, Father Shanley mentioned this generous gift and shared his vision on the end results of the campaign. It was very well received and the visions shared especially for improved student facilities to help student life for both residents and commuters were close to my heart.

We hit a home run in getting him as our President and then him in turn getting Rick as our Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
 
SJU85 said:
In his remarks yesterday at a Hearts on Fire event in Cutchogue, Father Shanley mentioned this generous gift and shared his vision on the end results of the campaign. It was very well received and the visions shared especially for improved student facilities to help student life for both residents and commuters were close to my heart.

We hit a home run in getting him as our President and then him in turn getting Rick as our Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Click to expand...
Father Brian Shanley was the name of the President of Providence College during the Ernie D Marvin Barnes era in the 1970’s. Would guess there is a probable relation to our Father Brian Shanley. (?)
 
SJU85 said:
In his remarks yesterday at a Hearts on Fire event in Cutchogue, Father Shanley mentioned this generous gift and shared his vision on the end results of the campaign. It was very well received and the visions shared especially for improved student facilities to help student life for both residents and commuters were close to my heart.

We hit a home run in getting him as our President and then him in turn getting Rick as our Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Click to expand...
Been quite a while, but the stars sure lined up for SJU.
 
Father Shanley given a new 5 year contract.

School in talks with Marty Whelan of Stouts to open a pub on campus. (Rick suggested a pub on campus during Sunday Supper remarks). Father Shanley also is focusing on improving student life on campus, for both commuters and residential students. Mentioned the lack of gathering spaces for students on campus. School.looking at options, including a rooftop space on top of D'Angelo that has spectacular views.

Quite a change from decades long leadership that did not address student life, and in fact converted student lounge space in St. John's Hall, St. Al's terrace, and University Center to faculty/admin offices.

Next up is a big project in Tafner to create a students rec and wellness facility.

Also in sight are major renovations to existing buildings, notably St. Al's and St. John's Hall. Both will require major donor backing.

Father Shanley, Rick past tetirement age and in cruise control? Nope - just getting started apparently.

Great to see SJU85 in Cutchogue
 
Beasts of the East said:
Father Shanley given a new 5 year contract.

School in talks with Marty Whelan of Stouts to open a pub on campus. (Rick suggested a pub on campus during Sunday Supper remarks). Father Shanley also is focusing on improving student life on campus, for both commuters and residential students. Mentioned the lack of gathering spaces for students on campus. School.looking at options, including a rooftop space on top of D'Angelo that has spectacular views.

Quite a change from decades long leadership that did not address student life, and in fact converted student lounge space in St. John's Hall, St. Al's terrace, and University Center to faculty/admin offices.

Next up is a big project in Tafner to create a students rec and wellness facility.

Also in sight are major renovations to existing buildings, notably St. Al's and St. John's Hall. Both will require major donor backing.

Father Shanley, Rick past tetirement age and in cruise control? Nope - just getting started apparently.

Great to see SJU85 in Cutchogue
Click to expand...
Bring back the Rathskeller! And Marty should call it Poor Richard’s Pub at Stout for old times sake. (Or for the even older timers, Sam’s or Happy Times at Stout.) Although it might have been JP OD’s when he attended school.
 
My daughter’s high school, St. Vincent Ferrer had their college night last week.

The SJU table was bustling with parents and students, and the person who was representing the University (brain cramp on my part as his name escapes me), did a great job of engaging with us. Even mentioned to me that I would be proud as an alum of where the university is going.

He greeted the students with “Hello future Johnnie”.

Just wanted to drop a little more anecdotal evidence that SJU is a “cool school.”
 
fan since 65 said:
Bring back the Rathskeller! And Marty should call it Poor Richard’s Pub at Stout for old times sake. (Or for the even older timers, Sam’s or Happy Times at Stout.) Although it might have been JP OD’s when he attended school.
Click to expand...
I had a cousin who graduated St John’s in about 1965. He told me that at that time (drinking age was 18), students were forbidden to drink at bars within 1 mile of campus. That gave rise to Sam's (Cunninghams) and Creighton and Gray as popular sju watering holes and both were just about 1 mile away. Can anyone verify?

Poor Richards had the best flame broiled pub burgers served with chips. After physics lab, I'd go for lunch there with a new buddy I'd made along with a pitcher of beer. Kind of killed my attention span for my 1:25 or 1:30 class. That buddy became a beloved math teacher at Chaminade for decades. Most of you Chami guys would remember him fondly- great guy from a large family of smart kids.
 
kranmars said:
My daughter’s high school, St. Vincent Ferrer had their college night last week.

The SJU table was bustling with parents and students, and the person who was representing the University (brain cramp on my part as his name escapes me), did a great job of engaging with us. Even mentioned to me that I would be proud as an alum of where the university is going.

He greeted the students with “Hello future Johnnie”.

Just wanted to drop a little more anecdotal evidence that SJU is a “cool school.”
Click to expand...
That's awesome to hear. Every college at St John's, every department, is clicking at upwards improvement. Shanley mentioned how on weekends and evenings the campus is dead, and how at PC it was always bustling with student activity. So, aside from new construction, major renovations, a renaissance of our flagship marquis sport, and upwards trajectory academics, Shanley & co are addressing ways to improve student life. Of course, all this costs money, and the latest $15 million donation came out of left field.

Without a doubt, any monetary support given to St John’s will be put to good use in anu number of areas that donations can be directed towards.

Hard to believe, no actually it's a dream to see this school transforming right in front of us even as it maintains its fidelity to its Vincentian Catholic mission.
 
Beasts of the East said:
I had a cousin who graduated St John’s in about 1965. He told me that at that time (drinking age was 18), students were forbidden to drink at bars within 1 mile of campus. That gave rise to Sam's (Cunninghams) and Creighton and Gray as popular sju watering holes and both were just about 1 mile away. Can anyone verify?

Poor Richards had the best flame broiled pub burgers served with chips. After physics lab, I'd go for lunch there with a new buddy I'd made along with a pitcher of beer. Kind of killed my attention span for my 1:25 or 1:30 class. That buddy became a beloved math teacher at Chaminade for decades. Most of you Chami guys would remember him fondly- great guy from a large family of smart kids.
Click to expand...
No doubt the flavor of those burgers were enhanced by the grill having never been cleaned, plus the soot from the ceiling since the flames almost reached it and of course, the ashes dropping from the owner’s ever present cigarette dangling from his mouth. He also allowed people to bring in sandwiches or that delicious pizza as long as you bought something. Senior year, I think I spent 3 afternoons a week in there.
 
fan since 65 said:
No doubt the flavor of those burgers were enhanced by the grill having never been cleaned, plus the soot from the ceiling since the flames almost reached it and of course, the ashes dropping from the owner’s ever present cigarette dangling from his mouth. He also allowed people to bring in sandwiches or that delicious pizza as long as you bought something. Senior year, I think I spent 3 afternoons a week in there.
Click to expand...
I had forgotten all about those Poor Richard’s pub burgers; man they were good at least to a college age kid. Spent a lot of weekends there (and the Frontier Palace across the street) between 1970-75.
 
fan since 65 said:
No doubt the flavor of those burgers were enhanced by the grill having never been cleaned, plus the soot from the ceiling since the flames almost reached it and of course, the ashes dropping from the owner’s ever present cigarette dangling from his mouth. He also allowed people to bring in sandwiches or that delicious pizza as long as you bought something. Senior year, I think I spent 3 afternoons a week in there.
Click to expand...
Great memories FS65!
 
Beasts of the East said:
Father Shanley given a new 5 year contract.

School in talks with Marty Whelan of Stouts to open a pub on campus. (Rick suggested a pub on campus during Sunday Supper remarks). Father Shanley also is focusing on improving student life on campus, for both commuters and residential students. Mentioned the lack of gathering spaces for students on campus. School.looking at options, including a rooftop space on top of D'Angelo that has spectacular views.

Quite a change from decades long leadership that did not address student life, and in fact converted student lounge space in St. John's Hall, St. Al's terrace, and University Center to faculty/admin offices.

Next up is a big project in Tafner to create a students rec and wellness facility.

Also in sight are major renovations to existing buildings, notably St. Al's and St. John's Hall. Both will require major donor backing.

Father Shanley, Rick past tetirement age and in cruise control? Nope - just getting started apparently.

Great to see SJU85 in Cutchogue
Click to expand...
One negative to some of these things, is the lack of blades of grass and open space there. I was a Staten Island commuter back in 1971-9175, then at the Queens campus from 1975-1978, and there was, even back then, the feeling that the Queens campus comparatively seemed much more urban and crowded and not much Open Space. (But NYU is as urban as a school can be and it's doing very well. )The large (and very much needed) parking lots don't help. No idea on how to solve those problems unless becoming largely a residential school and that is light years away.
 
Beasts of the East said:
I had a cousin who graduated St John’s in about 1965. He told me that at that time (drinking age was 18), students were forbidden to drink at bars within 1 mile of campus. That gave rise to Sam's (Cunninghams) and Creighton and Gray as popular sju watering holes and both were just about 1 mile away. Can anyone verify?

Poor Richards had the best flame broiled pub burgers served with chips. After physics lab, I'd go for lunch there with a new buddy I'd made along with a pitcher of beer. Kind of killed my attention span for my 1:25 or 1:30 class. That buddy became a beloved math teacher at Chaminade for decades. Most of you Chami guys would remember him fondly- great guy from a large family of smart kids.
Click to expand...
My freshman year was 1965. The freshmen had orientation sessions led by a senior in one of the classrooms. The senior noticed that most of the freshmen were bored so he canceled the classroom sessions and reconvened at Poor Richards Pub! Most of the the freshmen were from New York and for them this was business as usual. As for me, I thought this was super cool because being from Connecticut, the drinking age was 21.
 
Beasts of the East said:
I had a cousin who graduated St John’s in about 1965. He told me that at that time (drinking age was 18), students were forbidden to drink at bars within 1 mile of campus. That gave rise to Sam's (Cunninghams) and Creighton and Gray as popular sju watering holes and both were just about 1 mile away. Can anyone verify?

Poor Richards had the best flame broiled pub burgers served with chips. After physics lab, I'd go for lunch there with a new buddy I'd made along with a pitcher of beer. Kind of killed my attention span for my 1:25 or 1:30 class. That buddy became a beloved math teacher at Chaminade for decades. Most of you Chami guys would remember him fondly- great guy from a large family of smart kids.
Click to expand...
Creighton & Gray's was popular with law students '75-78 too. I'd rather walk over to Poor Richard's though. Easier than trying to find parking.
 
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