May 30, 2009
Enjoying a warm summer breeze, over 1,000 alumni, family and
friends came home to alma mater on Saturday, May 30 for
Alumni Reunion Celebration 2009.
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
Read participant testimonials
The events
included a wide range of food, games and attractions that created a
carnival atmosphere on both the Queens and Staten Island campuses
as everyone enjoyed hours of great outdoor summer fun.
The
Alumni Reunion Barbeque and Family Fun Fair opened at noon on
Staten Island and featured volleyball games, face painting, arts
and crafts displays, a magician and an inflatable bouncer,
supported by the music of an exciting DJ who kept the party going
at full speed.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see our Staten Island alumni
enjoying themselves on the campus that was home to them during
their student days,” said Victor Ramos '91CBA, '93MBA, Associate
Vice President for Institutional Advancement at St. John’s.
“Everybody’s having so much fun and already talking about coming
back next year.”
“I’m a secretary for the [St. John’s University] Staten Island
[campus] Alumni Association,” remarked Diane Anselmo '96NDC “and I
came out to reunite and reconnect with old friends while enjoying
the nice weather on campus. I’m very happy to see friends
that I haven’t seen in years.”
On the
Queens campus, excited alumni and their families arrived well
before the 4 p.m. start of the
Alumni Reunion Great Lawn Party and Concert, eager to enjoy
exceptional barbeque food while sampling the carnival rides, rock
climbing wall, giant fun slide, arts and crafts displays and a
petting zoo. Music was in the air throughout the event,
provided by talented St. John’s alumni. First up was DJ Jimmy
(James A. McGuire '92SVC) followed by the sounds of Quickdraw
(featuring Kevin M. Hawkins '86SVC).
The Alumni Reunion Great Lawn Party and Concert came to a close
with a memorable concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
that had more than a few people singing along to the well-known
tunes of this outstanding group who held the audience in the palms
of their hands.
“We wanted to create a real family-friendly party that everyone
could enjoy,” said Bill Schaeffer '73CBA, Director, Office of
Alumni Relations “and judging by the number of people here today
and the positive comments that everyone’s making, it seems like
we’ve made it happen.”
Alumni were
effusive in their praise and all seemed glad that they had decided
to attend this year’s events. “This is a great idea and it’s
a lot of fun,” said Patty Sullivan '79SVC, '89G, '96MLS. “I
saw Southside Johnny when he came to campus and performed in
Marillac auditorium quite a few years ago.”
“I’m glad I’m back,” noted Mike Papagianopoulos '85CBA. “I
thought this was a great opportunity to bring my family down as
well, my sister and her kids. I’m looking forward to meeting
up with old friends.”
Brenda Sullivan Schilling '91C, '93G marveled at the variety of
things to do and the amount of fun to be had on the Great
Lawn. “We walked in and just went ‘ahhhh’. Everything is
here, for every age. We had to go straight to all of the
rides and can’t wait to get to the food.”
For Pedro Gomez '09TCB, this was his first event as an alumnus,
having enjoyed his commencement on the same Great Lawn a few weeks
ago. “I just graduated, but being back on campus as an alum
is a completely different feeling. The excitement…everyone is
connecting, everyone is smiling and that is what I have to look
forward to for the rest of my life. Coming back every summer
to St. John’s.”
Another highlight of Alumni Reunion Celebration 2009 was the
Jubilarian Candlelight Dinner with the President. Hosted
by St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.,
alumni who were celebrating or have already celebrated the 50th
anniversary of their graduation from St. John’s gathered in the
elegantly outfitted Montgoris Dining Hall for a quiet cocktail
reception and dinner, followed by dessert under the stars on the
outdoor terrace.
Alumni Reunion Celebration 2009 concluded on Sunday, May 31 with
the Annual Alumni Mass in St. Thomas More Church, followed by the
Champagne Brunch with the President in Montgoris Dining
Hall.
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