January 22, 2010
On Thursday, January 21, 2010 a cheerful group of nearly 40
alumni and friends gathered at the Flute Gramercy Champagne
Speakeasy for the first Young Alumni Happy Hour of the new
year. Located in the trendy Gramercy Park area of Manhattan,
the site was particularly unique and interesting since the décor
was modeled after an old fashioned New York speakeasy from the days
of Prohibition.
Photo Gallery
The event attracted a number of regular attendees, as well as
many alumni who were participating for the first time, including
some from St. John’s campus in Rome, Italy.
“Some friends and I reconnected recently at one of these Happy
Hours,” remarked Christina Hardial ’06C “and we come now because we
really enjoy them. My husband also uses it as a way to keep
in touch with friends he graduated with.”
Guests enjoyed a complimentary glass of Piper-Heidsieck Brut
champagne and hot and cold appetizers while mingling with other
recent graduates. The Young Alumni Happy Hours have become
popular monthly events that are held at various venues throughout
the greater New York metropolitan area. They are designed to
provide St. John’s younger alumni with an opportunity to expand
their social and professional networks in a fun-filled atmosphere
while continuing to stay connected to alma mater.
“This event is a great opportunity to see old friends and meet
new people,” said Jonathan Crisol ’08TCB. “It’s great to
reconnect with the University and old classmates and to also meet
some older alumni. I had a great time at St. John’s and I
miss it, so events like these are appreciated.”
Joseph Wilson ’01MBA noted that “This is my first time out with
the St. John’s [Young Alumni] Happy Hours,” he said “and I’m having
a great time. I’m excited to find out that you have events
like this every month. Some alumni and I have been getting
together like this on our own, but when we found out about this
[Happy Hour] we thought it was a great idea.”
The next one will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2010
at Tonic East in Manhattan, the site where these popular events
began one year ago. Themed “Mardi Gras Madness”, it will offer
guests a taste of the Big Easy right here in the Big Apple.