Among the 28,000 members of Saint Peter’s alumni network were members of the classes of 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004, who gathered for Reunion Weekend 2009.
A kickoff social was held the evening of Friday, June 5, for the 45 members of the Class of 1959, the College’s newest “Golden Peacocks.” On Saturday, June 6, guided tours gave alumni the opportunity to see the renaissance of Jersey City, including the development of the Hudson River waterfront. In the afternoon, Saint Peter’s Jersey City campus was the site for a barbeque where old friends reconnected to reminisce about the time they spent at Saint Peter’s, and catch up on what they had been up to since leaving the College.
As evening approached, the alumni gathered at the brand-new Westin Jersey City Hotel in Newport, where Mass was celebrated by Fr. Michael L. Braden, S.J. During cocktail hour, the crowd enjoyed the setting sun and views of downtown Jersey City and later, moved into the ballroom for the College’s signature Reunion Gala where they ate, drank and danced to the music of a live band. The highlight of the evening was President Eugene Cornacchia’s announcement of the funds raised collectively by the 10 classes – a sum totaling nearly $1 million.
The Reunion Class Giving Awards, given annually, were also announced:
• The Class of 1959, which had the most class members make a gift – 43.6 percent.
• The Class of 1969, which was recognized for having the most members of Saint Peter’s President’s Council (a group comprised of alumni that individually donate more than $1,000 to the College).
• The Class of 1959, which contributed the largest total dollar amount – a sum totaling $360,282.
Closing the weekend was Sunday Mass and brunch held on campus, at which the Golden Peacocks were awarded 50th anniversary commemorative medals for their years of service and dedication to their alma mater.
To view photos from Reunion Weekend 2009, visit the Reunion Flickr Photo Account.