Extraordinary Service Award honors the work of three St. John’s students

The Extraordinary Service Award acknowledges and commends St. John’s undergraduate students who embody the Benedictine values in service work. They are recognized for showcasing community, justice and the greater good.

Faculty, staff and students can submit nominations for this award. These nominations are then reviewed by the Selection Committee for the Extraordinary Service Award, and this year they selected three finalists: SJU seniors Thomas Libbey, Jonathan Hill and Antonio Thompson.

Libbey works for SJUfaith and is on the leadership team for Magis Ministries. Libbey said one of the things he is most proud of is the growth of Praise in the Pub, a weekly student-led group made up of worship music and student testimony.

“When I was a freshman, 30 people showing up would have been a good night. Now, we consistently have over 70 people coming every week,” Libbey said.

Libbey said that after graduation, he hopes to leave behind the importance of personal relationships. He said as a freshman, a senior got him involved in Praise in the Pub and shared a moment of connection with him. “That moment really stuck with me since he treated me like an equal and took the time to develop a real relationship even though he was busy as a senior,” Libbey said. “I have tried to connect with and do the same with underclassmen I know because I think it is very important to build those connections, and I hope that those guys will do the same when they are seniors.”

After graduation, Libbey will be working as a medical scribe in Minneapolis and studying to take the MCATs. He hopes to get into medical school and is considering becoming a family practice doctor.

Hill said receiving the award is important to him because of the strong legacy associated with it.

“It means the world to be eceiving this award, partly because everal Johnnies who received it n recent years were phenomenal mentors and role models for me, so to be a small part of their legacy in this way is an amazing feeling,” Hill said.

Hill is involved with SJUfaith as a Student Specialist, as well as serving as a substitute organist for the St. John’s Abbey and singing in the St. John’s Men’s Chorus. He said he hopes to leave a legacy of empowerment.

“I know we’ve all been given unique gifts and talents that can help make the world around us a more oving place, so if nothing else, I hope I’ve encouraged enough people to go out and do so,” Hill said.

After graduation, Hill will be serving with the Benedictine Volunteer Corps, spending a year in Guatemala.

Thompson said that the Extraordinary Service Award is a way to recognize unsung heroes on campus.

“It’s a blessing in disguise, and it’s just affirmation of the work I’ve done in the past. It’s just made me feel grateful for having people just recognize me for the things I do and the love that the school continues to give back to me because of the love I give to them,” Thompson said.

Thompson currently serves as an RA for the Seton Apartments, a programming manager for the Johnnie Development Institute, a programming manager for the Archipelago Caribbean Association, a member of the brass choir on campus and as a chair on the St. John’s Student Senate. He has also been a part of many academic clubs.

Thompson said one of the things he is most proud of is founding and organizing Tundrafest, an annual tradition started in 2023 as a way to bring students together. Thompson said he hopes to leave a legacy that empowers future students.

“For…future Bennies and Johnnies…despite your background, despite who you are, despite what country you come from, despite your financial situations, if you have the hope and drive and you have the mindset and the hearts and the heart willing to help others in a park your community, then you could strive for it and you could achieve it,” Thompson said.

Thompson will work in the cities after graduation and plans to pursue a graduate degree in electrical and computer engineering.