St. John’s University announces in-person graduation dates Updated May 04, 2021; Posted May 04, 2021 This file photo shows St. John's University students at the 2019 commencement ceremony. (Staten Island Advance) Facebook Share STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — St. John’s University announced dates for its in-person graduation ceremonies to be held in July, in which graduates will be able to walk across the stage, have their photo taken, and be individually recognized. The university, which has a campus on Grymes Hill, will celebrate both the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020 during multiple in-person ceremonies, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, university president, announced on Tuesday. They will be held outdoors, rain or shine, on the Queens campus.