Jersey Shore Summer BBQ Celebrates St. John’s University

The sun was shining, the ocean waves were crashing, and the smell of grilled food permeated the festive atmosphere of the sixth annual St. John’s Alumni and Friends BBQ hosted by JoAnn and Kevin Reed ’75C, Retired Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management; member of the University’s Board of Trustees; and a former member of the Board of Governors.

Close to 175 guests traveled south on Route 35 to the Reeds’ seaside Victorian home in Spring Lake, NJ, on August 12 for an old-fashioned summer barbecue that featured music, a caricature artist and a magician, lawn games, a Ping-Pong table, cornhole, and Jenga games.

“St. John’s is family to us, and we are happy to open our home to the ever-growing and extended family of Johnnies for some summertime fun,” remarked Mr. Reed, a beloved member of The Loughlin Society and The Founders Society, as well as a 2014 Spirit of Service Award winner and a generous contributor to the Red White Club.

Addressing the lively crowd, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, thanked the Reeds for their ongoing support of St. John’s. He echoed the excitement for the upcoming academic year citing the construction of the innovative St. Vincent Health Sciences Center and the growing anticipation that is circling around the Men’s Basketball team with Head Coach Rick Pitino, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, now at the helm.

Besides Fr. Shanley, mingling among the crowd of alumni and friends of St. John’s were members of the senior management team, including Sarah Jean Kelly, J.D., Vice President for Student Success and Retention Strategy; Rachel Pereira, Ed.D., Esq., Vice President of Equity and Inclusion; and Christian P. Vaupel, Ed.D., Vice President for Advancement and University Relations.

Vincentian clergy Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th. ’78NDC, Executive Vice President for Mission, and Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, C.M. ’70C joined in the festivities, as did Mike Cragg, Director of Athletics, and Van Macon, Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball.

Multiple generations of alumni enjoyed summertime fare that included hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, ribs, fish, salads, cake, cookies, brownies, beer, wine, and soft drinks.

As the sun set over the horizon, Ashley Cimato, M.P.S., Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, observed, “This was a wonderful day with such great spirit—it epitomized the very best of all that is St. John’s.”