Anne and Thomas J. Whalen Esq. ’60 believe in New Jersey’s only Jesuit institution for higher education. In addition to contributing funds to Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, the married couple also acted as hosts to alumni, students and administrators of Saint Peter’s, inviting fellow believers to their stunning home on Massachusetts Avenue’s Embassy Row for the D.C. regional campaign launch on Thursday, April 26.
Thomas’s fondness for his alma mater compelled him to become involved in the Campaign. “I consider that my educational experience at Saint Peter’s has been the principal reason for whatever professional success I have had as a lawyer,” he said. “Saint Peter’s gave me a thirst for learning and armed me with the public speaking and writing skills necessary to do what I wanted to do. I have great loyalty and gratitude to the College, and I have supported its efforts and goals.”
The event allowed students from both past and present – spanning from the Class of 1954 to the Class of 2014 – to mingle side by side for a casual evening of conversation and cocktails to raise awareness about Students at the Center.
"I would like to thank the College’s supporters from the Washington, D.C. region," said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. "Your continued generosity and belief in our special brand of Jesuit education brings us closer to our Campaign goal, and we hope your support will inspire others to become believers in our mission, as well."
In his opening remarks, Dr. Cornacchia emphasized the College’s plans for progress. Utilizing a “Believe It” poster that details the major components of the College’s master plan for advancement through photographic “puzzle pieces,” Dr. Cornacchia outlined the initiatives Saint Peter’s has undertaken within the last two years: university status designation, the partnership with St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s College Church and the construction of The Mac Mahon Student Center.
Faithful advocates of Saint Peter’s gathered together for the event in support of the last item on that list. Due to generous gifts from contributors, Saint Peter’s has reached 80 percent of the $62 million target goal for the Students at the Center campaign, raising $49.6 million to date. Dr. Cornacchia attributed this success to the College’s many supporters.
Inspired by their faith in the College’s mission, people like the Whalens have contributed generously toward the D.C regional goal of $600,000 for Students at the Center. These funds are needed to develop the College’s six major goals of the Campaign: the first ever state-of-the-art student center, academics, athletics, endowment, Jesuit Mission & Identity and The Saint Peter Fund.
“My wife Anne and I were very pleased to host a Saint Peter’s reception in our Washington, D.C. home,” he said. “I hope that some of my fellow Saint Peter’s grads who have not contributed to the College will make a contribution to the extent that their means allow to support the College’s capital campaign. The student center being built through the capital campaign will enhance the facilities available to the students and their educational experience at Saint Peter’s.”
Regional events also took place for the Chicago/Midwest region of the country in October and for the Florida region in January. To learn more about Students at the Center: The Campaign for Saint Peter’s College, please visit www.spc.edu/campaign.