Recently, the Class of 1968 celebrated its 50th anniversary at Golden Peacock Alumni Weekend. 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. Friends and classmates were able to reconnect with each other and alma mater.
The weekend was a huge success, due in part to the members of the planning committee: Michael Ascolese ’68, co-chair, Hon. Joseph Doria Jr. ’68, co-chair, Christopher Bogart Jr. ’68, David Bourgoin, Esq. ’68, Thomas Butler ’68, Walter Dwyer ’68, Terence Kelleher, Esq. ’68, Edward Killilea ’68, James Leman ’68†, Martin Maguire ’68, David McConville ’68, Rene Perdreaux ’68, Robert Pompliano, Esq. ’68, William Quinn ’68, Robert Steeves ’68 and John Troja, CPA ’68. Some groups planned Friday night dinner reunions including chemistry majors and the Pershing Rifles. Members of Argus Eyes screened the 1965 production of The Doctor in Spite of Himself.
The State of the University luncheon was hosted by Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. Dr. Cornacchia introduced the class to new members of the University including Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., the newly appointed KPMG dean of the School of Business, and Bryan Felt, athletic director. Campus improvements such as the opening of the renovated Food and Clothes Pantry and the Mac Mahon Student Center were discussed. Dr. Cornacchia also mentioned Saint Peter’s latest distinguished achievements such as the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings.
“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. In her welcome remarks, Claudia Pope-Bayne, M.A. ’16, director of alumni engagement, reminisced about what life was like in 1968 but she reminded them that Saint Peter’s belief in educating students in the Jesuit tradition has not changed. She took time to acknowledge the special alumnae in the room since women were admitted to the then college only a few years prior.
“The Class of 1968 alumnae are all pioneers who helped to pave the way for our female students, who, by the way, outnumber our male students now,” said Pope-Bayne.
At the dinner dance, co-chair of the Class of 1968 Reunion Committee, Hon. Joseph Doria Jr. ’68, dean of the Caulfield School of Education, addressed the class. The Class of 1968 presented Dr. Cornacchia with a check for nearly $1.3 million, which is the largest gift ever presented at an Alumni Weekend. The gift will support the Class of 1968 Endowed Scholarship Fund, The Rev. Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J., Recreational Life Center and the President’s Priority Fund. For those who would like to make a gift, there is still time to do so by clicking here.
Alumni Mass was celebrated on Sunday, where the Class of 1968 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 home and let them know Saint Peter’s will always be home to them.
View photos from the event here. To learn about upcoming alumni events at Saint Peter’s, visit the alumni online community.
