With the backdrop of the Jersey City skyline illuminating the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Duncan Family Sky Room, the 2025 Saint Peter’s University President’s Reception returned to campus in celebratory style.
An crowd of over 150 attendees loudly applauded Saint Peter’s University President Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D. as he welcomed everyone to the 6th floor of the Mac Mahon Student Center. After years of being held off-campus at various locations in and around Jersey City, this year’s reception marked a celebratory return to campus.
The President’s Reception is an annual celebration where Dr. Benitez personally thanks members of the President’s Council, a core group of Saint Peter’s alumni and friends who have demonstrated an admirable dedication to the University’s mission and students by generously making an investment of $1,000 or more annually.
The featured student speaker at this year’s reception was Julio Santos, class of 2026. Julio graciously spoke about the impact that donors have on the education of students at Saint Peter’s, and how their support is invaluable to students’ futures once they leave the university.
“Without the scholarships I received throughout my time at Saint Peter’s, my college experience would not have been as transformative as it has been. I can say confidently that I would not be as self-assured, as motivated to serve, or to have made the lifelong friendships that I have if not for my Jesuit education at Saint Peter’s.” – Julio Santos, ’26
Hearing Julio’s words echo throughout the Sky Room, guests celebrated the present while also stating optimistic and fully committed to the future of Saint Peter’s University.
President Benitez summed up the event:
“This evening was a celebration of gratitude—gratitude for our alumni and friends, including the dedicated members of our premier giving societies; gratitude for our faculty, administration, and staff whose generosity of spirit and talent guide our work; and gratitude for our students, whose aspirations give us purpose. Everything we accomplish, we accomplish together. Thank you for your generosity and philanthropic leadership. You make our mission possible.”