Recently, the Class of 1967 celebrated its 50th anniversary at Alumni Weekend; alumni from as far away as Hawaii and as local as Hudson County flocked back to Saint Peter’s University to celebrate. The weekend featured events that highlighted changes at the University and surrounding area including a welcome back breakfast, campus tours, State of the University luncheon, a guided bus tour of Jersey City, cocktail hour and dinner dance, alumni Mass and induction into the Golden Peacock Society at a brunch.
The State of the University luncheon was hosted by Eugene J. Cornacchia, president of Saint Peter’s University; a panel of esteemed administrators, faculty and students spoke to the audience about University improvements over the years. Highlights included a review of milestones, great and small, from 1967 to date; the audience learned about Pathways to Distinction, The Saint Peter’s University Strategic Plan, now in its third year. At the luncheon, Dr. Cornacchia stressed that the University is excelling in graduating students who are prepared to go into the workforce.
“As you can see, we are continuing our growth and momentum with no plans for stopping—or even slowing down,” said Dr. Cornacchia.
On Saturday, guests danced the night away to hits from their generation at the cocktail hour and dinner dance reception held overlooking the New York City skyline in The Duncan Family Sky Room. At the dinner dance, Richard “Dick” Finch ’67 spoke about the impact their generation (baby boomers) have had on history and the lives of each other. Gloria Mercurio, executive director of alumni engagement, thanked the Class of 1967 for their generosity as they presented the class gift to Dr. Cornacchia.
“It has been said that giving is the master key to success, in all applications of human life. Financial support from our alumni is critical to the University’s efforts to give the same, quality Jesuit education that you received to generations of new students,” Mercurio said.
Alumni Mass was celebrated on Sunday, the Class of 1967 and guests, as well as Golden Peacocks from the 50s and early 60s, attended the ceremony at St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s University Church where they remembered classmates who are deceased. Immediately following they attended a brunch in The Duncan Family Sky Room, where Leah Leto, M.Ed. ’05, vice president for advancement and external affairs, welcomed the alumni and let them know Saint Peter’s will always be home to them.
“We certainly hope that you feel that you are part of the Saint Peter’s family, because we sure do. And while I am certain alma mater looks a lot different today than when you were students, I hope you still feel that sense of the familiar, that warmth, that peace of heart and mind that comes when you are home,” said Leto.
In addition, Dr. Cornacchia also stressed that when alumni believe in the mission at Saint Peter’s, great things are possible.
“Today’s students stand on the shoulders of giants. You are those giants. You—the Class of 1967 and all of the other Golden Peacocks who have come before you have made the Saint Peter’s of today possible,” said Dr. Cornacchia.
Richard Cardillo ’67 spoke on behalf of the class and noted how Saint Peter’s has given him and his fellow alumni both wings and roots. Wing to fly upon graduation and roots which brought them all back together this weekend.
To view more pictures from the event, click here.
Does your graduation year end in an 8 or 3? Interested in forming a committee to plan your milestone reunion? Please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at (201) 761-6122 or alumni@saintpeters.edu.
