The 172nd Graduation of Xavier High School of the College of St. Francis Xavier will take place at historic Riverside Church at 7:05PM on Thursday, June 12. While St. Patrick’s Cathedral is undergoing renovations, Riverside has graciously welcomed Xavier. Admission is by ticket only. All others are invited to view graduation online, where it will be live streaming free here.

Xavier will graduate 277 members of the Class of 2014. Graduates will attend 117 of America’s finest colleges and universities including Georgetown, Boston College, Holy Cross, West Point, Annapolis, the United States Air Force Academy, NYU, Fordham, Michigan, Indiana, Duke and Penn. The Valedictory Address will be given by Jordan Berka, a resident of Brooklyn and a member of Xavier’s cross-country and track teams who will continue his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Salutatory Address will be given by Martin Puchacz, a resident of Manhattan who will continue his education at the University of Pennsylvania. In receiving their diplomas, the Class of 2014 will be joined by Mr. Richard Zirpolo '64 who was prevented from receiving his diploma 50 years ago. Mr. Zirpolo’s mother and two dozen of his classmates will also join in the festivities. Mr. Edward Brown '39 will be in attendance representing the 75th Reunion class. Graduation will also mark the retirement of Ms. Janet Bonica who for the last 23 years has served Xavier with distinction as the registrar, and the conclusion of the terms of four Xavier trustees: Board Chair Richard Nolan ’83, Michael Ford ’63, Joseph Muriana ’71, and Frank Tirelli ’70.

Commenting on the festivities, Xavier president Jack Raslowsky said: “I am looking forward to a great night. I am deeply grateful to the Class of 2014 for all the gifts they have shared at Xavier—their leadership, their care for one another and the underclassmen, their many talents and their good will. It will be an honor for me to share the stage with them. I am also thrilled by the opportunity to celebrate our three Bene Merenti honorees - SFC Wayne Atherton, USA (Ret.), Mr. Gregory Dolan '89 and Mr. Rich Duffel P'93 '99 - and their combined 60 years teaching at Xavier. And on top of all this, Thursday is the birthday of three of our graduates: Stephen Day, Dennis Dunne and Jesse Fung!”

Watch your email next week for a special graduation edition of the Xavier E-News.