Sons of Xavier Return to 16th Street
Alumni representing the Classes of 1943 through 2006 descended on 16th Street last weekend to celebrate their alma mater and their shared bonds as Sons of Xavier. Class years ending in 1 and 6, along with Golden Knights, were invited to participate in this year’s reunion.
The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon with a luncheon in the Arrupe Library celebrating the Classes of 1939-51. Alumni in attendance enjoyed sharing stories, catching up with old friends, and even making a few new ones. The festivities continued later that evening as the Classes of 1966, 1971, 1986, and 1996 came together for off-campus class year parties.
Saturday’s Reunion Gala began with student-led tours of Xavier followed by Masses honoring deceased alumni. Alumni then gathered at class year cocktail receptions before venturing to the gym for the gala dinner.
During his opening prayer, Xavier President Jack Raslowsky remembered deceased members of the Xavier community, particularly three fallen Sons from the reunion classes—Matthew Burke ’91†, Sean Lugano ’91†, and Charles Heeran ’96†—who died on 9/11.
The Class of 1991 honored Burke and Lugano by racing to a record-setting $82,000 25th reunion gift, which will benefit the Annual Fund and the Matthew Burke ’91 and Sean Lugano ’91 Memorial Scholarships. Together with other reunion classes, particularly the Class of 1966, their support of Xavier’s mission through financial contributions set the standard for future reunions.
"This year's golden and silver reunion classes made unprecedented progress on the reunion gift front," noted Director of Development Mark Mongelluzzo. "The Class of 1966, behind the outstanding generosity of Frank DeLustro '66 and in response to the gift challenge posed by John Meditz '66, have already raised a record $552,000 to date to help provide financial aid to students at Xavier. Though they have already established a new record, they are well on their way to reaching their ultimate goal of $650,000.”
“The Class of '91, meanwhile, has responded to the challenge presented by Paul Enright, who agreed to give Xavier $50,000 if his class reached 50% giving participation. The class met the challenge, reaching 58% participation just days before the Reunion, and is likely going to go further,” Mongelluzzo continued. “These results are outstanding. Never has this much progress been made by Reunion Weekend. We are confident that both these classes and other Reunion classes alike will finish out the fiscal year strong with greater generosity through June 30."
Gratitude to Xavier was a theme woven through the weekend.
“The number of our classmates who attended the reunion events this weekend and the quality of our interaction with each other are testament to the fraternal bonds we formed in high school, which have been reinforced and expanded at alumni events over the past 30 years, and are as strong as ever,” said Andrew Dell’Olio ’86.
Members of the 50th reunion class also said their bonds had only strengthened over time. “The reunion demonstrated that the camaraderie and esprit de corps engendered by Xavier not only survives but also thrives,” said Ronald Graziano ’66, “even after 50 years.”
“The 2016 reunion was a great event,” added Gregory Roberts ’96. “Being back at Xavier with our classmates brings back great memories and certainly reminds all of us what a great community we are fortunate to be part of.”
For photos from Reunion Weekend, visit our Flickr album.