A little wet weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the
attendees of the 22nd Annual Alumni Reunion. Hundreds braved the
elements on June 6-8 to attend the fun-filled weekend held on the
Queens campus where those graduating in years ending in "3" and "8"
were celebrated.
The festivities began Friday with the McCallen Society Annual
Recognition Luncheon followed later by the Alumni Convocation where
16 esteemed alums were honored with citations along with the
proprietors of Dante's Restaurant who received a special community
service award in recognition of their 50-year anniversary and
long-term relationship with the University.
A soggy Saturday made no difference in the high spirits of the
many grads and their guests attending the "Welcome Home" Alumni
Breakfast, the old fashioned barbecue lunch and the Skyline
Princess Brunch Cruise around Manhattan. Kevin Wixted '53CBA and
his wife, Lois, came from Baltimore, MD, and joined the other 50 or
more people who opted to spend the weekend staying on campus in the
residence halls. "I thought I should come and see for myself what
was going on here at St. John's," said Kevin while on the brunch
cruise. "It's wonderful to see how our graduates have excelled in
the professional community." The Wixteds added that they enjoyed
relaxing at the dorms, where they met up with other reunionites,
and even painted one night St. John's red at one of the local
restaurants. Patricia Talman Buckley '63Ed also attended the cruise
along with her husband James('61CBA) and said she wouldn't have
missed her 40th graduation anniversary for the world. "I wanted to
see how the school has grown and I haven't been disappointed," she
said. "I can't believe the growth of St. John's and how it has
become an international school. This weekend has definitely been
about connecting with your roots."
At a special medal ceremony Saturday evening, members of the
classes of '43, '53 and '78 were honored in Marillac Terrace and
immediately joined all other classes for the Cocktail Reception in
Montgoris Dining Hall. The highlight of the weekend was the Gala
Dinner Dance held in Alumni Hall, which was transformed into an
American Beauty Rose Garden. During the program, chairmen of the
celebrated classes presented a class gift check for $1,093,285 to
University president Donald J. Harrington, C.M., and six members of
the classes of 1933, 1938 and 1943 were honored along with the
presentation of the Fidelitas Award to Kenneth ('68MBA) and Carol
Kwiat '63Ed. Later, more than 300 guests feasted on dinner and
danced to music spanning all generations. Kevin Dzugan '93CBA said
the night added to the already festive atmosphere of returning to
alma mater. "It feels like family here," he said. "It feels good to
come back and revitalize that feeling of attending school."
Sunday morning began with Mass followed by a champagne brunch
where even more alums received medals in recognition of their
graduation anniversaries. Louise Engelhard Collins '53P said she
was anxious to reconnect with former classmates and was not
disappointed. "Fifty years is a long time," she said. "And even
though there were some who didn't come, those who were here knew
enough about those missing to be able to fill us in." Rev. Gregory
R. D' Angelo '53P was impressed at seeing all of the changes at the
University as he reminisced with former classmates. "My wife,
Angele ('53P, '73GP), and I started walking around the grounds and
we couldn't believe it," he said. "To be here, visiting with old
friends, hearing what has happened to them over the years, their
heartaches and triumphs, that's what's important to us."
Reunion Weekend Photo
Gallery.