Greetings from the Students

Megan E. Craven, President of the Student Senate

Good Afternoon. As the President of the Student Senate, it is an honor to stand here today and address you from a student perspective.

Saint Peter’s College is a school that prides itself on its traditions, its dedication to Jesuit ideals, and its commitment to the students. The college, founded in 1872, has always been dedicated to developing the whole person for a life of “learning, leadership, and service,” a phrase taken from the college mission statement. As a member of the Pavo Society, the student ambassador program on campus, I am constantly promoting the school. In this role I find myself telling prospective students about the traditions at our school that make it feel so much like home – Junior-Senior Formal, Peacock Palooza, and the Student Senate Christmas Tree Lighting, to name a few. Tradition is a concept that has a nostalgic sentiment attached to it. Tevye in the famous musical Fiddler on the Roof sang about the importance of tradition within the community, and rightly so; our traditions provide us with comfort and security. From the Jesuit core curriculum to the instillment of the Jesuit ideals of cura personalis and magis in every student that passes through its doors, Saint Peter’s has earned its reputation as the Jesuit College of New Jersey.

Our past as an institution should never be forgotten, but as John F. Kennedy said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Almost the antithesis of tradition, change is an extremely difficult thing to deal with, and as a graduating senior, I am having a hard time grasping the change about to occur in my life and my own future. Saint Peter’s has changed a lot since 1872. We are now a co-educational institution, half of our students reside on campus, and our student body is more diverse than ever.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the future of Saint Peter’s and the change occurring at the school. With the passing of Father Loughran and plans for, among other things, a capital campaign and a new student center, the College was in need of a leader who had the courage, the strength, the motivation, the innovation, and the vision to take the school in the right direction. That leader was found in Dr. Cornacchia. As student who considers herself to be an informed citizen and who closely followed the selection process of the presidential search committee, I was extremely pleased with the decision of the committee. I cannot think of anyone more suited to this position. Although his appointment represents a break from tradition, there is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Cornacchia will continue to promote the ideals of Jesuit education in every aspect of this learning community. I know that he has high goals for Saint Peter’s, and I know that he has the strength and the support to see them through.

Four short years ago, I was looking for a school that was committed to its students. I came from a small, private, Catholic high school in Los Angeles, California, and St. Peter’s appealed to me because of its small size, commitment to excellence, and its Jesuit tradition. I visited the school once in March of my senior year, fell in love, and have not looked back since. That is not to say that I was not nervous, however. Coming from Los Angeles, I had to deal with real weather and being away from my family. In Los Angeles cold is 65 degrees and means that you have to wear a sweatshirt, which is certainly not the case here, and I had never been that far away from home before. This transition could have been shocking, yet the St. Peter’s community eased my adjustment by becoming my family. Every expectation I had in coming to this school has been exceeded, not only due to the friends I have made and what I have experienced, but also in large part due to the school’s committed and caring faculty, staff, and administration. I know that if I have any sort of problem, I can go to any member of the community for help and guidance, and Dr. Cornacchia is no exception. From a student perspective, I can say that Dr. Cornacchia genuinely cares about the students. He wants to listen to them and help them, and he is already on his way to a new era of openness with the school community. Dr. Cornacchia’s dedication and commitment to the students at this institution is evident in everything that he does.

I would like to end by offering some advice to our new President on behalf of the students. First, take some time to sit in the Quad on nice days. You can drink a cup of coffee and catch up on your gossip or maybe even eat your lunch. It is beautiful and it is a great place to people watch and to relax. Also, continue your open dialogue with the students and with the entire Saint Peter’s College community. Students want to know that their opinions matter and that their suggestions are taken seriously. Finally, enjoy this new chapter in your life. We are all behind you one hundred percent of the way. From the student body to you, Mrs. Cornacchia, and your daughters, welcome to our family.

Thank you.