Fittingly held on Friday, May 1\u2014the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker\u2014the ceremony featured opening remarks by James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D.<\/a>, Dean, The School of Education, who helped dedicate the Joseph Sciame Recruitment Center, named for Joseph Sciame \u201971ED, Vice President of Community Relations, Emeritus. Mr. Sciame, known to all as Joe, spoke fondly of his more than six decades as a St. John\u2019s student, administrator, benefactor, and integral member of the Queens<\/a>, NY, campus community. His most important roles included helping generations of students navigate the financial aid process and fostering positive relationships with diverse community groups.<\/p>\n Joining in the celebration were Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.<\/a>, President; Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D. \u201908HON<\/a>, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Brooklyn<\/a>, NY, and Simon G. M\u00f8ller, Ph.D.<\/a>, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n For many, the name was more than a tribute: it was a story.<\/p>\n As Master of Ceremonies, Robert D. Cote \u201910SJC, Director of Development, The School of Education, described the transformative contributions made by Joe to his beloved alma mater. He helped multiple generations of students with financial aid, often serving as a beacon of hope to students facing economic hardships. A man deeply connected to his Catholic faith and Italian heritage, Joe remains a global ambassador for St. John\u2019s to this day.<\/p>\n The ceremony began with Dr. Wolfinger speaking of a man who believed student recruitment and financial aid were not about numbers, but about possibility\u2014about seeing potential in every student who walked onto campus, often before they saw it in themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe Sciame,\u201d he said, \u201cdid not simply invite students here. He welcomed them into a family and a future.\u201d<\/p>\n After a reading from sacred scripture, Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th. \u201978NDC<\/a>, Executive Vice President for Mission, gave a formal blessing to the new space. He highlighted the proximity of the neighboring Office of Mission Initiatives<\/a> and shared how the two offices exemplify Joe\u2019s lifelong approach and commitment to the enduring Vincentian mission<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr. Cote passed the microphone to Joe, now aged 84, and then came the stories\u2026many of them.<\/p>\n Joe shared that he felt a special kinship with the students he helped secure financial aid, offering scholarships for academic excellence to candidates from local high schools who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education.<\/p>\n What provided him with the most satisfaction were the relationships he cultivated with students, colleagues, and community members. He often found himself in mentorship roles with students who were eventually employed at St. John\u2019s and helped them advance in their careers.<\/p>\n![\"Guests](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260501_JoeSciame_Dedication_081.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"Event](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/sciame_lobby_0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n