May 31, 2009
On Sunday, May 31, over 100 alumni and friends gathered in St.
Thomas More Church on the Queens campus for the concelebrated
Alumni Mass. Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of
St. John’s University served as the principal celebrant.
Photo Gallery
During his homily, Father Harrington reminded everyone that “The
Holy Spirit calls us to be radically different people. If we
open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we will see glimpses of what God
can do in our world. Where the Holy Spirit is present, there
is unity.”
Following
Mass guests strolled to Montgoris Dining Hall for the final event
of Alumni Reunion Celebration 2009, a traditional Champagne
Brunch.
Father Harrington thanked the alumni for their ongoing support
of St. John’s, noting that while at first glance the University may
seem different from what it was like during their student days, at
its very heart it remains the same. “We really have come a
long way in 139 years,” he said, “but we have never forgotten where
we came from and why we are here. We’re always true to our
mission, even while adapting to the challenging realities of our
times.”
Many graduates of St. John’s former campus locations on both
Lewis Avenue and Schermerhorn Street returned to alma mater to
share memories with friends that had been an important part of
their student days.
“I have such fond memories and great friends,” remarked Dr.
Marilyn Verna ’66Ed, ’96Ed.D. “St. John’s is a wonderful
college, and I’m still in touch with many of my friends. This
[campus] is definitely different from Schermerhorn Street, but it’s
St. John’s, and it’s home.”
“I have to
say that it’s really great that so many of our most senior alumni
are with us today,” said Robert Wile ’99SVC, Vice President and
Chief of Staff, Office of the President and Chief Advancement
Officer of St. John’s University. “Like every great
institution, our present is a function of our past, and I know that
I speak for everyone at St. John’s when I say ‘Thank You’ for being
such an important part of our University family for so many
years.”
Third generation alumna Darlene Englis ’82CBA was glad to be
back on campus for the Mass and Champagne Brunch. “My mother
and my father went to St. John’s, my sister came here and so did my
grandfather. I’m happy to say that we’re a real St. John’s
family.”
Marilyn Fuchs Donnellan ’54CBA used the events of the day to get
together with fellow students who attended the Schermerhorn Street
campus with her. She and her friends were looking back on
their student days while looking ahead to an upcoming
vacation. “I’m meeting more of my friends here,” she
said. “We’re planning a trip to Alaska and we’re looking
forward to talking about it today. Everything looks so
different from the last time I was here.”
At the conclusion of the event, guests were urged to keep their
ties to the University strong and to make plans to return for next
year’s celebration. “Don’t forget to mark your
calendars for Alumni Reunion Celebration 2010,” said Robert
Wile. “Next year, it’s on the weekend of May 22 and 23, and I
hope you’ll make plans to be with us.”
View complete galleries of all event photos and purchase
prints:
Alumni Reunion Barbeque and Family Fun Fair Photo Gallery
Alumni Reunion Great Lawn Party and Concert Photo Gallery
Candlelight Dinner with the President Photo Gallery
Mass and Champagne Brunch with the President Photo
Gallery