By Zane Massey '96

Xavier’s Fall Reception Series has gotten off to an amazing start, with President Jack Raslowsky and his advancement team reuniting with alums in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Las Vegas, Nevada; San Francisco, California; and Chicago, Illinois.

“This year we set out to extend our alumni events to different areas in hopes of renewing old relationships and strengthening existing ties within our wonderful community. We have a supportive alumni base throughout the West, so I am glad our team was able to spend some time there," said James Cappabianca '05, Executive Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President.

New Mexico and Las Vegas were new locations for Xavier receptions, but no visit to the West Coast is complete without visiting Sons of Xavier in San Francisco. Hosted by loyal supporters Barbara and Bob Scavullo ’60, the San Francisco gathering drew more than 20 guests to the Scavullo residence with an alumni presence that spanned over 50 years. The San Francisco visit ended with President Raslowsky and Director of Annual Giving Shane Lavin ’03 attending the ordination of former Xavier physics teacher and boxing club moderator Rodolfo “Rudy” Casals, S.J.  at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. Casals was ordained to the diaconate alongside 11 other Jesuits from the U.S., two from Korea and one from East Africa. All of these men are currently studying theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. (For Jesuits in formation, ordination to the diaconate is the final step in preparation for priestly ordination in the Society of Jesus.)

November got off to a perfect start with a visit to Chicago, as alums mingled at the Palmer House during Game 6 of the historic World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. Recent Xavier graduate and current Loyola University Chicago student Martin Steffens ’16 remarked to guests: "As a native New Yorker, as well as an alumnus with a long line of family members who also attended Xavier, I'm grateful to have now become part of an even bigger community of Sons of Xavier in Chicago. I feel honored to be here with all of you, and one of the great things about Xavier is the relationships that continue to grow beyond 16th street."

The fall reception series continues on November 15 in Denver, followed by receptions in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Click here for a full listing of upcoming alumni events.