January 20, 2014
News from Regional Alumni Clubs
GREATER BOSTON AREA
President: Mark McGwin ’81: mmcgwin@santander.us
The Boston group capped off a successful 2013 with a highly touted Christmas party. More than 125 alumni joined us from across class years to share holiday cheer.
We are excited for a number of events coming up in 2014, so keep an eye out for some of the following:
- A Night in Black & White, April 12, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place
- Third Thursdays on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Granary Tavern in Boston. Come network with fellow alumni. Stay tuned for class-year-focused Third Thursdays throughout the year.
- Professional Affinity Groups (PAGs) events will be held throughout 2014. They are designed to connect alumni across various professional areas in an educational and network-based forum. Please reach out to Mike Schumann ’93 (mjschumann@gmail.com) if you are interested in joining.
Other opportunities to stay engaged will include a “Preppy Golf Tour,” Friar basketball and hockey game-watches at the Black Rose, business networking events, and young alumni events.
During the summer, our first Boston Harbor cruise, with live music by Jenna Lotti & the Bounce Back, was a sell-out with 100 alumni attending. A pre-event gathering was held at Jerry Remy’s near the World Trade Center. And, about 80 people attended our “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” gathering at the Black Rose in September.
CAPITAL AREA
President: Nicole Picard ’08: ndpicard@gmail.com
The club rang in the Christmas season at Elephant & Castle in Washington, D.C., with an evening of fun and warmth, filled with food, friends, and refreshments. It was a great night to reconnect, make new friends, and enjoy the Christmas spirit. The club also hosted a successful Toys-for-Tots drive at the party, donating gifts to families in need in the D.C. area. Gifts were received by fellow Friar and U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. John Burke ’09.
At the club’s annual Memorial Mass and brunch in November, club co-chaplain Rev. Bede Shipps, O.P. celebrated Mass at the chapel of St. Dominic Priory. Alumni and family of all ages attended this prayerful remembrance of our deceased alumni, their families, relatives, and friends. Mass was followed by brunch where Rev. John D. Corbett, O.P. ’73, assistant professor of moral theology at the Dominican House of Studies, spoke about contemporary morality issues.
GREATER CHICAGO AREA
The club hosted its first winter alumni-student networking night in January when students were home for winter break. Alumni and students got together at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, then watched the Friars take on the Georgetown Hoyas. Another gathering was held prior to the PC game at DePaul.
The club is looking for volunteers to help plan events in Greater Chicago. If you are interested, call Jackie Carlson, assistant director of alumni relations, 401-865-2835, or email jcarlso8@providence.edu. We look forward to seeing many Chicago-area alumni and families at our annual boat cruise in August.
NEW LONDON/WASHINGTON COUNTY AREA
President: Kevin McMahon ’73: kevin.mcmahon@jud.ct.gov
The club had two great events in the fall. In September, a group of 50 alumni, family, and friends boarded the Cross Sound Ferry out of New London to Greenport, Long Island. We spent the day visiting and wine tasting at two vineyards and then had a chance to do some shopping and viewing the work of local artists in Greenport before heading back to New London.
In November, about 40 alumni and family attended a pregame reception before watching the men’s hockey team skate to a win against the University of New Hampshire at the renovated Schneider Arena. It was great to see old and new faces at both events.
We are looking forward to hosting alumni and families at our Mass and Brunch on Enders Island on Sunday, May 4. We hope local alumni can join us at one of the most beautiful places along the Connecticut shoreline.
METRO NEW YORK AREA
President: George Catrambone ’05: gcatrambone@gmail.com
More than 300 alumni and friends filled Die Koelner Bierhalle, an authentic German beer hall in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a pre-game reception in December before the Friars took on third-ranked Kentucky in basketball at the Barclays Center.
Joining alumni from the Metro New York and Long Island clubs were College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80; Gregory T. Waldron, senior vice president for institutional advancement; Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., associate vice president and athletics director; and Steve Napolillo ’98, associate athletic director, external relations.
Following the reception, the group cheered the team on at the Barclays Center.
Alumni from the Class of 2013 were welcomed during the Friar Fall Kick-Off at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ in Murray Hill. About 200 people enjoyed Southern hospitality, and the first guests to arrive received gifts from the club.
More than 300 alumni and friends celebrated at our Christmas party at Stout on West 33rd Street. Andrew Como ’13 and his band, “The Como Brothers Band,” entertained.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUB
The club heard Robert M. Fried ’67 speak about his book, Igniting Your True Purpose and Passion: A Businesslike Guide to Fulfill Your Professional Goals and Personal Dreams (Thirdwind LLC, 2011) during a reception at The Yard House in Long Beach. About 60 alumni and guests enjoyed the presentation, then stayed to watch the New England Patriots play the Miami Dolphins.
GREATER PROVIDENCE AREA (MAL BROWN)
President: Kate Kennedy ’92: kate.kennedy26@gmail.com
The Mal Brown Club is in full swing for 2014. Our Christmas party, held at Murphy’s after the men’s basketball game against Yale, was a lot of fun and a big success. We had a great time at Schneider Arena for our annual Mal Brown Hockey Night in January as well.
We also kicked off the 50-50 raffle at BIG EAST men’s basketball games at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to benefit the Mal Brown Scholarship. Thank you to all alumni who have continued to support our efforts to help send a Rhode Island student to PC. With all the excitement of Friar basketball, we’re looking for some record-breaking winnings!
We’d like to welcome new Mal Brown board members Daniel James ’11 and Leslie Heller ’02. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer or board member, contact Kate Kennedy at the email address above.
