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Eyes scanning the room for familiar faces, waves of recognition and pride in the security of belonging (in this case, to a group of dedicated leaders), the autumn night air danced with achievement on Sept. 27.

In a tribute to St. John’s University’s School of Education, the school held a sold out black-tie affair at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Manhattan on the most suitable of days: the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Vincentian community and the patron of the university.

“For 100 years, this school has prepared teachers to develop that greatest of resources, our children,” said St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington. “Imagine how many lives have been impacted and imagine how different is our society because of the graduates who have gone through our school.”

He said he was certain St. Vincent de Paul would be very proud of The School of Education, as he was dedicated to serving the community and understood that “the greatest resource of our world is its people.”

More than 600 guests including alumni, faculty, friends and supporters sauntered into the ballroom to honor a school distinguished by tradition and excellence.

Guests were greeted with clever, playful nods to a profession JFK deemed “necessary for the progress of our nation,” which included red delicious apple centerpieces and programs inspired by black and white composition notebooks.

With humble beginnings and a graduating class of only 10 in 1908, the School of Education transformed from a commuter school into a world-class institution. Although ivy doesn’t grow on the Gothic style brick walls, U.S. News and World Report ranked St. John’s University among the best liberal arts schools in the nation.

Jerrold Ross, dean of the School of Education since 1995, began his career as a music teacher in the public school systems of Long Island and New York City, where his allegiance to the community first sprouted roots.

True to the original Vincentian mission of providing to those lacking economic, physical or social advantage and in commemoration of the School of Education’s 100th Anniversary, an alumni Scholarship Campaign has been launched with a goal set at $1 million, half of which has already been met by alumni and private donations.

Among its generous outreach programs are “Books for Orphans,” a collaborate effort to enrich the lives of children halfway across the globe in Africa by providing them with an essential right: knowledge. More than 3,000 books have been collected thus far.

Closer to home, at the Queens campus on Utopia Parkway, in conjunction with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), a dynamic summer program is underway. Half sports camp, half literacy camp, about 800 inner-city students have benefited from The Leadership and Career Academy’s academic and social skill building.

Providing incentives such as a free tennis racket or a $1,000 scholarship voucher toward St. John’s University, with good attendance, the program is over-subscribed. The unique collaboration offers parents of students a chance to take part in job training, improving personal finance and physical health.

“About 75 percent of the students improve with this program,” said Richard Sinatra, associate dean of the School of Education.

The most seasoned of the faculty, he began in 1976, a trained literacy expert, and crafted a program he called powerful.

“St. John’s helped me to become a better human being,” said honoree Carol Gresser, a 1959 graduate.

Dedicating more than 35 years as an advocate for students throughout New York City, she said “education is still trying to find its way.”

As former president of the New York City Board of Education, Gresser firmly believes, as theories come and go, St. John’s prepares teachers for the actual classroom.

“I discovered the world through St. John’s,” said Christine Bentz, current senior at the School of Education.

Bentz agreeed with the accessibility both inside and outside the classroom.

Closing the formal ceremony, Celine Dion’s “The Power of the Dream” highlighted the black and white photograph slide show which spurred oohs and ahhs, laughter and tears.

“The next one hundred years begins tomorrow,” Dean Ross said.