Alumni Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries in Special
Suites
Alumni celebrating their 50, 40 and 25-year anniversaries of
graduation from St. John's were given the opportunity to celebrate
with their former classmates in special Anniversary Suites in Carey
and Donovan Halls on Saturday of Alumni Reunion 2007.
Members of each milestone anniversary class (1957, 1967 and 1982)
spent a few hours poring over old yearbooks, catching up on the
major events of each others’ lives, re-telling stories and showing
off pictures of children and grandchildren.
Some had been in touch for many years and others were meeting again
for the first time since graduation. Five former sorority
sisters from the class of 1957, members of The Squaws, reunited
altogether in the 50th Anniversary Suite. Joanne Reilly
Hughes ’57UC, Barbara Pfaffenschlager Evans ’57UC, Jane Power
Kilcoyne ’57UC, Marie McGreavey Heffernan ’57UC and Anne Dite Blatz
’57UC were students at the Schemerhorn Street campus in Brooklyn
and were part of the first graduation ceremony on the Queens campus
50 years ago.
The friends were excited to be back and overjoyed to reconnect with
each other! “It’s hard to put into words what it is like to
be back at St. John’s, seeing each other again. So much has
gone on in our lives, some good, some bad,” shared Blatz.
“But in some ways it’s like we’ve never been separated.
Family is wonderful but there is nothing like friendship!”
Other alumni were thrilled to note the numerous changes to the
campus. James R. Gaw ’67G, who had not been to the Queens
campus in 40 years, did not want to wait until his 50th anniversary
to return. “It’s exciting to be at St. John’s again. I
thought I should attend Reunion now, while I have the
opportunity.” Gaw recalled a very different campus. “I
think there were only three buildings when I attended St.
John’s. There were no gates or fences and it still looked
like a golf course. But the change has been positive.”
Louis Poppito ’57Ed also commented on the improvements, “What first
struck me as I entered the grounds was the physical change on
campus. It is great to see the way things have evolved at St.
John’s!”
The alumni enjoyed the time they spent together and were grateful
for the opportunity to get together after so many years.
To view the full event photo gallery and order prints, visit:
* 25th Anniversary Suite
www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=x4yx1kc.a2cwkb0&x=0&y=a9nn6t
* 40th Anniversary Suite
www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=x4yx1kc.ugo4364&x=0&y=6e4umk
* 50th Anniversary Suite
www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=x4yx1kc.65sthxo&x=0&y=2tljfw
(Click “View Slideshow” to view photos.
Register or Sign in to purchase prints.)