Photos were snapped, drinks were served, appetizers were passed and laughs spread through the bar area at Michael Anthony’s on the Jersey City waterfront on Thursday, October 11. This may sound like a relaxing Thursday evening happy hour, but it was much better because the entire crowd was made up of Peacocks!
This event was the first alumni event for Saint Peter’s Graduates Of the Last Decade or GOLD alumni. Graduates from 2003 to 2012, Saint Peter’s faculty and staff and members of the Alumni Board gathered at the beautiful waterfront location at the end of their workday for an enjoyable evening of reconnecting with former classmates and their alma mater.
“Tonight’s event provides a great opportunity to socialize with old friends and network with colleagues, but most importantly it serves as a reminder that the University is a resource you can count on for spiritual guidance, continuing education and of course professional development,” said John Hallanan ’03, member of the Alumni Board.
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University, welcomed all of the alumni to the event and introduced them for the first time to Saint Peter’s University. “Your degree has suddenly become more valuable because now you are a graduate of a university and as you go forward in your professional and career development, graduating from a university means a great deal in the marketplace,” he said.
Dr. Cornacchia also discussed the construction of The Mac Mahon Student Center, which he described as a “spectacular resource for current students, future students and alumni.”
The alumni in attendance at the event graduated with degrees in diverse disciplines such as criminal justice, business management, accounting, graphic design, nursing and more. The group discussed their current careers and networked with other attendees both within and outside their industries.
A majority of the conversation focused on the new Saint Peter’s University. Alumni discussed what it will mean for Saint Peter’s and were looking forward to ordering updated Saint Peter’s University diplomas.
Laura Bedon ’09, saw the event on the Alumni Facebook page and immediately reached out to friends she is still in contact with to form a group to attend. “This truly was an awesome event because it is great to see old classmates from my college years,” she said. “When my group of Saint Peter’s friends arrived we were so happy to run into former classmates that we haven’t seen since we graduated.”
The first GOLD event was a true success and Graduates Of the Last Decade can connect on the Alumni Website and Alumni Facebook page to find out when the next event is scheduled along with other alumni events.
Please click the below photo to view the full album from the event.
