From 1990 to 1992, I attended St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, NY. Growing up playing basketball, I was a rabid fan of the “Johnnies” and sweet-shooting Chris Mullin, court general Mark Jackson, and the effortlessly smooth Malik Sealy—all led by a legendary coach, the late Lou Carnesecca. When I graduated high school, it was the only university for me, and I loved it.
Earlier this year, my daughter was accepted into St. John’s, and we recently made the trip to tour the school, which I had not visited in over 30 years. The transformation was nothing short of astounding: modern student housing options (there were no on-campus dorms when I attended); brighter, renovated classrooms and gathering spaces; and a revamped athletics facility that showcases the rejuvenated St. John’s Basketball program.
I paused and took a moment on the Great Lawn, where I regularly sat with friends or completed classwork, and looked out over the campus. In front of me stood the familiar limestone façade of St. Augustine Hall, but to the left was a new, energy-efficient, St. Vincent Health Sciences Center (see “Saints and Sciences” in this issue of LD+A.) I turned toward the southeastern corner of the Great Lawn, where St. Thomas More Church rests with its handcrafted mosaics from Florence, Italy, that illustrate the life of St. Vincent de Paul as well as the founding and evolution of St. John’s University. I then said to my wife, “If this was the campus when I was a student, I may never have transferred.”
Light is a physical and metaphorical beacon, both in faith and education. It can draw us in, accentuate what is unique, provide comfort, and guide the way. In my case, the lighting design of the modern campus contributed to a sense of enhanced pride—even if I was just a small part of the St. John’s community.
Speaking of community, I am writing this editorial after returning from LEDucation. This being my second time around the LEDucation “sun,” I felt a greater sense of what it is to be a part of the lighting industry. I appreciate all who took the time to speak with me as well as those who offered up constructive criticism about both LD+A and the IES. In that vein, I urge you to read Brienne Willcock’s “Education” column this month, which focuses on seeking clarity in advocacy. Often, it is focusing the light on the critical and uncomfortable questions that best moves us forward.
Craig Causer
Editor-in-Chief
craig.causer@sagepub.com
Editor I
Michele Zimmerman
Creative Manager, Commercial Publishing
Samuel Fontanez
Senior Account Specialist II
Leslie Prestia
Published by
Sage Publications, Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Phone: 800-818-7243
Website: www.journals.sagepub.com
LD+A is a magazine for professionals involved in the art, science, study, manufacture, teaching, and implementation of lighting. LD+A is designed to enhance and improve the practice of lighting. Every issue of LD+A includes feature articles on design projects, technical articles on the science of illumination, new product developments, industry trends, news of the Illuminating Engineering Society, and vital information about the illuminating profession. Statements and opinions expressed in articles and editorials in LD+A are the expressions of contributors and do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the Illuminating Engineering Society. Advertisements appearing in this publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
LD+A (ISSN 0360-6325) is published monthly in the United States of America by Sage Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, 800-818-7243. Copyright 2025 by Sage Publications. Periodicals postage paid at Thousand Oaks, CA, and additional mailing offices. Nonmember subscriptions: $60 for individuals and $600 for institutions. Additional $24.00 postage for subscriptions outside the United States. Member subscriptions $32.00 (not deductible from annual dues). Authorization to reproduce articles for internal or personal use by specific clients is granted by Sage Publications to libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service, under the terms of the CCC license. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying for purposes such as general distribution, advertising or promotion, creating new collective works, or resale.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LD+A, c/o Sage Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Subscribers: For continuous service please notify LD+A of address changes at least six weeks in advance.
Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement
#40612608
Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip
International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2.
This publication is indexed regularly by Engineering Index, Inc. and Applied Science & Technology Index. LD+A is available on microfilm from Proquest Information and Learning, 800-521-0600, Ann Arbor, MI
