May 15, 2014
News from Regional Alumni Clubs
LONDON
at the reception, Stephen A. Matteo ’86, left, and Filippo Guerrini-Maraldi ’86.
The London Club welcomed alumni, friends, and study abroad students for a Mass in March at Westminster Cathedral celebrated by Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. ’61, associate chaplain of the National Alumni Association. A reception, hosted by Filippo Guerrini-Maraldi ’86, followed at Boisdale of Belgravia.
GREATER BOSTON
President: Mark McGwin ’81
About 50 people gathered at Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston in February for a memorial Mass for the special intentions of alumni, family, and friends. The celebrants were Rev. James Cuddy, O.P. ’98, College chaplain, and Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. ’61, associate chaplain of the National Alumni Association.
Raymond L. Flynn ’63 & ’84Hon., former Boston mayor and ambassador to the Vatican, was among those attending. Prayers were offered for the late Kristen M. Furbush ’96, who died in November; her husband Stephen, who died in January; and their two surviving children.
A reception followed at The Playwright in South Boston.
Spring and summer activities will include a Boston Harbor Cruise on June 6 and a Habitat for Humanity community service event at a date to be announced. In addition, the club will attend the Boston Red Sox game against Seattle on August 22, with a pregame gathering at The Baseball Tavern, and a golf outing on September 12 at Brookmeadow Country Club in Canton. Contact Mark McGwin ’81 for more information.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Northern California Alumni Club hit the ground running in its inaugural year. The club gathered monthly around San Francisco for happy hours and game watches. In March, more than a dozen members were together at Rumors in San Francisco to watch the men’s basketball team’s win over Marquette. In December, the club held its first Christmas party at the home of Charlie O’Connell ’87 and his wife, Sharon. More than 25 alumni and guests attended, including Paul Courcy ’67 and his wife, Carol, who traveled 250 miles from San Luis Obispo.
On August 10, the club will welcome alumni coming to Napa and Sonoma as part of the Friar Explorations Alumni Travel Program. We will host a reception while enjoying a wine tasting with fellow Friars.
For more information on the happenings of the Northern California Alumni Club, please contact Tara Bubniak ’06 at tara.bubniak@gmail.com or Jonny Styron ’07 at jonnystyron@gmail.com.
CAPITAL AREA
President: Nicole Picard ’08
The Capital Area Club is looking forward to continuing the year with some great opportunities for community involvement, Friar
fellowship, and networking. The club hosted its annual spring community service event and enjoyed watching the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races. D.C. Friars also cheered on the men’s basketball team at several game watches throughout the area.
The club has some terrific events planned for the rest of 2014. Watch for information on the summer outing, the annual networking night, and the popular “Welcome to D.C.” event to be held in early fall. The club’s softball team is also poised to have a solid season competing against other college alumni organizations.
If you would like information on becoming involved with the club or its events, or if you are interested in joining the softball team, contact Nicole Picard ’08.
LONG ISLAND
President: John J. Burke, Jr. ’88
In January, more than 25 alumni and current students gathered in Rockville Centre for an evening of networking and to cheer on the Friars as they beat Georgetown in basketball.
In April, volunteers collaborated with the Corporal Christopher G. Scherer Semper Fi Fund to help assemble care packages to be sent to troops deployed overseas. Working with the military science department at PC, the group was able to identify a PC alumnus to be the benefactor of the packages.
On June 12 at 7 p.m., our annual cocktail and hors d’oeuvres event will occur at the Meadow Brook Club in Jericho, N.Y. We will be welcoming members of the Class of 2018 and their families into the Friar family as well.
On October 12, we have scheduled an adult- and child-friendly event at the Bedell Cellars vineyard, 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue. After a full day of enjoying fall activities on the North Fork, alumni will enjoy food and drink while listening to music and tasting some of the best wines that Long Island has to offer. Alumni will be eligible for a 10 percent discount on the purchase of any bottled wine.
CHARLOTTE
President: Peter Bergen ’60
The club held its inaugural Mass in early May at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte, with Rev. R. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., vice president for mission and ministry, as the celebrant. A reception, which included a talk on Pope Francis by Father Pivarnik, followed for alumni and their families.
NAPLES AREA
Contact: Mike McCarthy ’64
The club held its annual Mass at St. Joachim Chapel in March with Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. ’61, associate chaplain of the National Alumni Association, as the celebrant. He was assisted by Deacon Michael Cristoforo, M.D. ’58. A brunch followed at the Naples Yacht Club. Dr. Marian Mattison, associate professor of social work at PC, gave an informative presentation entitled “From Baby Boomers to Millennials: Differences That Define the Generations,” in which she compared classroom strategies, then and today, for teaching these generations.
NEWPORT
President: Dan Sullivan ’85
The group wishes to thank Kate Labbe ’82 — who recently completed her term — for her tremendous service as president for the past few years. She has great enthusiasm and worked hard to plan many fun activities. We appreciate her continuing support.
In April, volunteers from the Newport area participated in a FUSION project, as alumni and their families collaborated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County to clean up Camp Grosvenor.
The club will co-host a welcome reception for members of the Class of 2018 from Rhode Island and South Coast Massachusetts on July 24 at the Hyatt Regency Newport on Goat Island. All alumni from these areas are encouraged to join — the club is always looking for new ideas for events.
METRO NEW YORK
President: George Catrambone ’05
As its Friars United for Service in Our Neighborhood (FUSION) event, the club brought economically disadvantaged children who attend Catholic schools to the Bronx Zoo for a day of fun and learning in April. The event, offered in partnership with the Inner-City Scholarship Fund (ICSF), was organized by Kristy Hartman ’10.
Alumni and family members marched in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade wearing green sashes and proudly carrying the Providence College banner. Approximately 60 alumni, family members, and friends attended the parade and a reception held afterwards.
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and New Jersey Devils’ CEO Lou Lamoriello ’63 & ’01Hon. hosted approximately 50 alumni and friends at the Devils-Washington Capitals game in Newark in April. There was a pre-game reception, and a group photo was taken on the ice after the game.
Stay tuned for details about our plans to welcome new alumni from the area at the U.S. Open event and the Friar Fall Kick-Off.
GREATER PROVIDENCE AREA (MAL BROWN)
President: Kate Kennedy ’92
The Mal Brown Club capped off another successful 50/50 raffle season, cheering on the Friars at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center and raising more than $6,000 for the Mal Brown Scholarship, which helps a Rhode Island student fund a Providence College education.
More than 80 alumni joined our pre-game reception before the men’s basketball game against Marquette in March to celebrate this year’s Mal Brown Award winners. Jake Maguire ’69 received the Dr. William A. McDonnell Award, presented to an individual who has given of himself unselfishly to further the cause of PC. Matthew Leonard ’92 received the Mal Brown Award, given to the person whose life and service to PC best exemplify the love and loyalty characteristic of Mal Brown ’33, the club’s namesake.
The festivities carried over to the “Dunk,” where College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 presented the awards on the court during halftime, and we witnessed one of the most exciting games in memory as the Friars outlasted Marquette in double overtime to secure their 20th win of the season.
In April, the club hosted a successful spring networking night at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Providence, where alumni from several class years celebrated the warm weather and the camaraderie that comes from being a part of the Friar Family. April also brought us another successful blood drive on campus and a FUSION (Friars United for Service in Our Neighborhood) event, where we joined students, faculty, staff, and the Providence Parks Department to build a community garden at Corliss Park.
As we head into the summer, we look forward to seeing many alumni, parents, and friends at the summer freshman reception on July 24 at the Hyatt Regency Newport on Goat Island. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, committee member, or board member, contact Kate Kennedy ’92. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and events, be sure to like the Mal Brown Club on Facebook. n
