May 22, 2010
On Saturday, May 22, more than 200 St. John’s University alumni,
their families and friends returned to the Staten Island campus for
the Alumni Reunion Barbequ
e and
Family Fun Fair, as part of Alumni Reunion Celebration 2010.
Photo Gallery
A tremendous success that featured something for everyone, the
event included volleyball, demonstrations of arts and crafts, face
painting, a magician, an egg toss, giant underwear race, ladder
ball, a Sponge Bob bouncer, an inflatable slide and a DJ who
created a party atmosphere that kept the excitement at a fever
pitch for hours. One of New York’s most enduring and popular radio
stations, WCBS-FM was on-site to add to the musical mix and provide
giveaways to the happy participants.
The University is particularly grateful to Larry Durso from the
Notre Dame College Class of 1975 for helping to sponsor this great
party.
“It’s great to see so many alumni coming back to campus and
having so much fun,” said Nicholas A. Legakis '97SVC, '07MPS,
Director, Office of Institutional Advancement, Staten Island. “This
is a real family event, and wi
th so many
children going from activity to activity, the atmosphere is truly
festive.”
The Alumni Reunion Barbecue and Family Fun Fair appealed to
alumni who frequently attend events as well as others who were
returning to alma mater for the first time since
graduating just a few days ago.
“It's been interesting, finally attending as an alumnus instead
of an undergrad,” remarked John P. Herron ’10Ed, one of St. John’s
newest alumni. ”It's a little bittersweet to have just graduated
since you don't get to see your friends as much, but its good to
move on. I will be attending graduate school here in the fall, and
I plan to attend [this event] next year. It's a great way to
reconnect with friends and still stay connected with St.
John's.”
“It feels strange having just graduated
,” agreed
Thomas J. Heaney ’10CPS. “I don't really expect it to hit me until
August or so. I'll definitely be coming back to events like this in
the future. St. John's has been home for four years and I intend to
keep it as home in the future.”
Those who have been regularly involved with the University were
equally pleased with the opportunity to gather with friends and
family
“I couldn't be happier here today,” remarked Anne Matrone
’87NDC. “It's a wonderful day and we've had a great, great time
reconnecting with a lot of old friends and even met some new ones.
We had fun playing volleyball and I even made it down the slide!
I've come the past few years and it's been a great experience. I'll
definitely be coming out in the future, especially since my
daughter will actually be starting at St. John's in the fall.”
For Gary Scandaglia ’78CBA, returning to the University that
means so much to him has now become a family affair. “It's always a
great day when I come back to St. John's,” he said. “My memories
here have been tremendous. My kids are now graduating from St.
John's and I ho
pe they
come back and enjoy their alumni friends and family. Every time I‘m
here, it's perfect.”
At the end of the day, it was all about the people.
“This was a fantastic day where old friends came to spend time
at what was our second home,” said Hon. Alfred C. Cerullo, III
’83NDC, ’86L. “We have a very good group of friends who've been
coming for years now. We've been watching each other's kids grow up
and watching ourselves get older, even while we're all still having
fun, and we get to reconnect to a place that was very close to our
hearts.”