March 30, 2010
On Thursday, March 25, 2010 nearly 50 young alumni and friends
celebrated the end of winter at the Spring Mixer Young Alumni Happy
Hour, the latest offering in this popular series of social
gatherings for St. John's University's most recent graduates. It
was held in the Broadway Room at Rosie O'Grady's Saloon, a New York
City Theatre District fixture designed to reflect and recreate the
history and ambience of the classic New York saloon.
Photo gallery
Marking the one-year anniversary of the Young Alumni Happy Hours,
the event provided guests with a complimentary first drink and an
assortment of premium hot hors d'oeuvres that enhanced the
convivial atmosphere present throughout the evening. As with
similar events in the past, the chance to spend time with former
classmates and friends was the main attraction.
"I think it's a great opportunity for people who've gone to St.
John's, experienced St. John's, enjoyed St. John's and formed
friendships while there to get back in touch with each other and
reconnect," remarked Shaun Merrique '05TCB '08MBA. "I've really
enjoyed myself and I'm going to keep coming and inviting my friends
and former classmates to these great events."
"What make's St. John's meaningful for me are all the friends
that I'm still able to have now that I'm a graduate of the
University," agreed Selina Suarez '09MBA. "This event is important
because it helps me keep the connections with not only the people
that I've come to know as friends but also as family. I just
started working in the city so I'm looking forward to coming to
more [happy hours] in the future."
Guests included a fairly even mix of ‘first-timers' and ‘regulars',
and everyone enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends or
make new ones while sharing stories of where their lives have taken
them since leaving St. John's.
"This is my first time attending," said Kimberly Gay '09C, "but as
soon as I got here I saw people mingling and introducing themselves
to each other and really just having a good time. They were sharing
memories about their time at St. John's. I really think this is a
great event and it should definitely be continued."
Bill Graiser '03CPS, who attended at the invitation of a
colleague who is also an alumnus, was quick to point out the strong
affiliation that members of the St. John's family have for each
other. "St. John's has a great sense of community," he said. "It's
not too big or too small, so it's easy to reconnect with people.
It's what I loved about the University while I was there and what I
still love as I've gotten into the workplace. It's been great to
see people I know, and even those that I just met tonight, you have
a kind of history, something in common with them in St.
John's."
The next Young Alumni Happy Hour is scheduled for Thursday, April
22, 2010 at
Calico Jack's Cantina, the second hosting at this extremely
popular venue on the trendy East Side of Midtown
Manhattan.
"The first time we were at Calico Jack's we had 90 guests, which
was our largest turnout ever," noted Elisa Douglas '05C, Assistant
Director, Student and Young Alumni Engagement, Office of Alumni
Relations. "I'm really excited by this monthly series, and we're
always trying to find great places that offer unique and
unforgettable experiences for our recent graduates. We're really
building momentum and I'm hopeful that it will carry over to our
Reunion Rendezvous at The Park, the signature event for our
young alumni as part of
Alumni Reunion Celebration 2010 in May."