May 08, 2008
More than 100 alumnae, friends and St. John’s University
community members gathered on a sunny Saturday, May 3 morning for
the Notre Dame College (NDC) Homecoming at St. John’s Staten Island
campus. Alumnae from the classes of 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953,
1958, 1963 and 1968 celebrated the anniversaries of their
graduation from Notre Dame College (now the St. John’s Staten
Island campus).
Photo
Gallery
The day commenced with a celebratory mass followed by champagne
hour and lunch, during which members of the 50th anniversary class
were presented with brooches and the recipients of a four-year,
$4,000 Sr. Helen Flynn Scholarship were announced including
incoming freshmen, Christopher DeMario, Robert Hesterhagen and Vito
Rago.
Sharing a passion for alma mater, members of the anniversary
classes raised a gift totaling $7,605 for the scholarship this
year—and more than $87,600 has been raised since the inception of
the Brick program in 1999, through which personalized bricks are
purchased in tribute to a classmate, family member or special
occasion and are placed on Flynn Hall Terrace (the former
commencement site of Notre Dame College).
During the day, alumnae were also given the opportunity to
purchase NDC memorabilia including sweatshirts, totes, a slideshow
and original tea sets. These nostalgic tea sets were used by the
ladies for formal teas, a favorite memory of many NDC alumnae. “We
wore hats and white gloves and tea was poured in a certain way.
Mother Saint Egbert taught us formal tea etiquette we will never
forget,” reminisced Nancy Jensen ’58NDC.
Rosemarie Reilly ’68NDC recalls running the tea promotions, Tea
for two – Faculty and You! “We even played the song “Tea For
Two,” a hit from the 1925 musical No, No, Nanette,” she said.
Invitations to teas were held by classes a few times throughout the
year and featured mother/daughter teas and faculty/student
teas.
Fresh white daises and single red rose table centerpieces, which
were always plenteous at tea time, were donated by Patricia
Campbell ’54NDC, President, Notre Dame College Alumnae Association
and Master of Ceremonies for the special day.
The day concluded with gratitude for the many warm smiles and
fond memories. Roberta Perrin-Canfield ’58NDC shared, “I’m so
very happy with the turnout. I’ve been to my 40th, 45th, and now
50th anniversary. What a wonderful day!”
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College opened its door on the Grymes Hill campus in
Staten Island with 13 students and graduated its first class in
1935. It remained a small, private women’s college until merging
with St. John’s University in 1971 and today boasts over 1,500
active alumnae. The Notre Dame College Alumnae Association members
are a part of the St. John's community and cultivate relationships
with their classmates on the Staten Island campus through events
such as Homecoming, the Holiday Appeal, the endowed Sr. Helen Flynn
Scholarship and the Flynn Hall Brick Program. Each year in May, St.
John’s University celebrates its roots in education at the Notre
Dame College Homecoming.