October 24, 2014

News from regional alumni clubs

Jennifer Arts ’06 takes a sampling of red wine from Christopher Silva, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, during the Friar Explorations wine tour in Napa Valley, Calif.
Jennifer Arts ’06 takes a sampling of red wine from Christopher Silva, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, during the Friar Explorations wine tour in Napa Valley, Calif.

ATLANTA

President: Kevin Walsh ’90 (kwalsh@lavista.com)

The club celebrated its annual Mass in September at the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta, with Msgr. Donald Kiernan ’45 and Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. ’61, associate chaplain of the National Alumni Association, as celebrants.

We hosted an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field in the summer. In the spring, we held our FUSION (Friars United for Service in Our Neighborhood) event at Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Architecture, an urban garden in Atlanta. Alumni also participated in a college fair at a local Catholic high school.

Going forward, we are planning basketball and hockey game watches and a Christmas party. Looking forward to seeing you there!

GREATER BOSTON

President: Mark McGwin ’81 (mmcgwin@santander.us)

Actor and PC trustee John G. O’Hurley, Jr. ’76 & ’06Hon. was the guest speaker at our annual Fall Business Breakfast. We hosted several other events for alums of all ages, including a sold-out Boston Harbor Cruise in June, the monthly Third Thursday event at Harpoon Brewery in July, a Red Sox game and pre-game reception in August, and a Friar Fall Kick-Off event in September.

Thank you to Andrew Bayerl ’07, outgoing vice president, who is moving on to pursue exciting professional opportunities, and to secretary Carolyn Molloy ’06, who is stepping up as vice president.

CAPITAL AREA

President: Nicole Picard ’08 (ndpicard@gmail.com)

The club’s annual Mass and Brunch will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9, followed by a garden dedication in honor of our former chaplain, the late Rev. Edmund J. Way, O.P. ’36. We have planned two events on Dec. 13 — Wreaths Across America, which will feature “DC Friars” honoring our nation’s heroes at Arlington National Cemetery in the morning, and our Christmas party at the University Club in D.C. later in the afternoon.

During the summer, the club’s softball team played an exciting 14-game season in the Capital Alumni Network League, taking on alumni clubs from other colleges and universities. It was our eighth year in the league.

We held a successful Networking Night during which Patrick Nero ’87, athletic director at George Washington University, provided career tips, and PC students were able to connect with alumni in the D.C. area. We also hosted our annual “Welcome to DC” reception for new Friars and participated in a community service event.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLUB

Tara Bubniak ’06 (tara.bubniak@gmail.com)

Twenty-five alumni and friends joined the Friar Explorations Alumni Travel Program in August for a wine tour in Napa and Sonoma coordinated by Mark Gasbarro ’97, owner of Gasbarro Wines in Providence. To welcome the group, the Northern California Club hosted a reception, which also was attended by area alumni.

The travel program included four full days of vineyard tours. The group, which included Bob Ferreira ’83, assistant vice president for alumni relations, and Sarah Firetto ’03, associate director for alumni relations, visited several vineyards, including Coppola, Domain Chandon, Hess Collection, Berenger, Caymus, Silver Oak, Raymond Vineyards, Stag’s Leap, and St. Francis Winery.

At St. Francis, the winery president greeted everyone and offered a special private-barrel wine tasting. He then hosted the group for a three-course meal paired with wine at the vineyard.

At the close of the trip, a farewell dinner was held at Tra Vigne in St. Helena, Calif.

CHARLOTTE

President: Pete Bergen ’60 (peterbergen@kirco.com)

Our Charlotte team is made up of Kathleen Coleman ’93, John Kennally ’80, Al Tinson ’64, and Pete Bergen ’60, who are working to build the alumni club. We are planning a meet-and-greet during a men’s basketball game in November and our second annual Mass and reception next April.

We had a great turnout of 40 alumni and friends for our inaugural Mass and reception at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte in the spring. Rev. R. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P., PC’s vice president for mission and ministry, was the celebrant. After, he presented a lecture, “I Used to Dance When I Was Young: A Look at the ‘Francis Effect’ on the Life of the Church,” which was followed by a reception.

CHICAGO AREA

More than 100 alumni, students, and members of the Class of 2018 and their families celebrated the fourth annual Chicago River Summer Cruise hosted by Terrence and Margaret Johnson ’15P. Attendees were able to network while enjoying beautiful views of the Chicago skyline, a light dinner, and refreshments.

We are looking to grow the Chicago Area Club and need volunteers to help plan events and engage local alumni. If you are interested, contact Jackie Carlson, assistant director for alumni relations, at 401-865-2835 or jcarlso8@providence.edu.

FAIRFIELD/WESTCHESTER

Members of the Class of 2018 from Fairfield and Westchester counties were welcomed into the PC community at a reception in July hosted by Maura and Brian O’Connor ’65 at The Field Club of Greenwich, Conn. Alumni, students, and 10 incoming freshmen and their families gathered on a beautiful summer evening to celebrate.

We are developing a regional club in Fairfield/Westchester counties and are looking for volunteers to help plan events and engage local alumni. If you are interested, contact Paul Calle ’12, assistant director for alumni relations, at 401-865-2768 or pcalle@providence.edu.

HARTFORD AREA

President: Nicole Wroblewski Fenton ’07 (nawroblewski@gmail.com)

Eighty-three alumni and family members attended a summer reception in July at Pond House Café, West Hartford. They were greeted by Michael P. Lynch ’83, president of the National Alumni Association Council, and Bob Ferreira ’83, assistant vice president for alumni relations.

LONG ISLAND

President: John J. Burke, Jr. ’88 (john.burke@daddario.com)

The club hosted 128 alumni, students, and parents at its annual cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception at the Meadow Brook Club in Jericho, N.Y. We also had an adult- and child-friendly event at the Bedell Cellars Vineyard in Cutchogue. Families enjoyed a full day of activities on the North Fork, then unwound and enjoyed food and drink while listening to music and tasting some of the best wines that Long Island has to offer.

We will host a FUSION (Friars United for Service In Our Neighborhood) event in late November or early December. Volunteers will prepare care packages to send to U.S. troops overseas.

MAL BROWN (GREATER PROVIDENCE)

President: Kate Kennedy ’92 (kate.kennedy26@gmail.com)

To continue growing the Mal Brown Scholarship, the club will raffle two season tickets for men’s basketball. We’re selling 200 chances to win two great seats. If interested, contact Kate Kennedy ’92 at the address above. Tickets are going fast! For other ways to support the scholarship, enter one of the 50-50 raffles at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center during games.

The club welcomed autumn with a “Drink and Dabble” event, painting and sipping the evening away at the Public Kitchen and Bar in Providence.

At the end of September, the club came together for the Mal Brown Mass at St. Kevin’s Church in Warwick. The celebrant was Rev. Robert J. Marciano ’79. A reception and brunch followed at the Warwick Country Club.

A highlight of summer was the reception held at the Newport Hyatt on Goat Island in Newport. This year, four clubs — Mal Brown, Newport, New London/Washington County, and South Coast (Massachusetts) — collaborated to welcome the Class of 2018 and recent graduates from the Class of 2014.

Attendees at the summer reception in Newport included, from left, Peter Slom ’78, Tiernan Chase ’18, and Rita Slom. Chase received the Newport County Alumni Club’s Aaron J. Slom ’42 Memorial Scholarship. Peter and Rita are the son and wife of Mr. Slom.
Attendees at the summer reception in Newport included, from left, Peter Slom ’78, Tiernan Chase ’18, and Rita Slom. Chase received the Newport County Alumni Club’s Aaron J. Slom ’42 Memorial Scholarship. Peter and Rita are the son and wife of Mr. Slom.

NASHVILLE

PC came to Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in April at a reception hosted by Sandra and Ronald Szejner ’70. Alumni, parents, and friends in the area came to learn about the exciting new things happening on campus. Presentations were given by Raul Fonts, dean of admission and financial aid, and Bob Ferreira ’83, assistant vice president for alumni relations.

We are developing a club in the Nashville area and are looking for volunteers to help plan events and engage local alumni. If you are interested, contact Paul Calle ’12, assistant director for alumni relations, at 401-865-2768 or pcalle@providence.edu.

NEW HAVEN

President: Benjamin Cangiano ’78 (bcangiano@snet.net)

About 50 alumni and guests, including 15 members of the Class of 2018, attended a reception with appetizers at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven in August. Michael P. Lynch ’83, president of the National Alumni Association Council, offered greetings.

The club also hosted its 55th annual Veritas Awards Dinner in May at Anthony’s Ocean View restaurant in New Haven. Nearly 500 people attended. Three members of the local business community were honored with Veritas Awards, including Frank R. Proto, C.P.A. ’79, who has a distinguished record of service to the club and his alma mater.

METRO NEW YORK

President: George Catrambone ’05 (gcatrambone@gmail.com)

About 100 alumni watched some of the world’s top tennis players in action at the U.S. Open in August. Shortly after, the club welcomed the Class of 2014 at the annual Friar Fall Kick-Off held at Brother Jimmy’s in Murray Hill, where a barbecue and giveaways were enjoyed.

Earlier in the summer, current students and alumni were invited to a night of networking at the New York Athletic Club. During an “Across the Ages” panel, alumni from various stages in their careers shared experiences and advice with about 100 attendees.

The club also awarded the PC Club of New York Scholarship to Kiana E. Estevez ’18 (Copiague, N.Y.). The four-year, full-tuition scholarship is given annually to a student from a metropolitan New York high school. Welcome, Kiana, to the Friar family!

Upcoming events include game watches at Session House, our Christmas party, and the opportunity to see the men’s basketball team play at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

NEW LONDON/WASHINGTON COUNTY

The club’s annual Long Island Winery Tour in September included visits to two wineries, Pindar and Osprey’s Dominion, and time to explore the Maritime Festival in Greenport. The club also plans to attend a men’s ice hockey game and a men’s basketball game during the winter. For more information about the club, contact Sarah Firetto ’03, associate director for alumni relations, at 401-865-1815 or sfiretto@providence.edu.

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Members of the Class of 2018 from northern New Jersey were welcomed into the PC community at a June reception at the home of John ’86 and Amy McCarthy. Alumni, current students, and 11 incoming students with their families gathered to celebrate. Devin Cash ’15 (Westfield, N.J.), president of the Student Alumni Association, greeted the Class of 2018.

We are developing a regional club in northern New Jersey and are looking for volunteers to help plan events and engage local alumni. If you are interested, contact Jackie Carlson, assistant director for alumni relations, at 401-865-2835 or jcarlso8@providence.edu.

SOUTH COAST (MASSACHUSETTS)

President: Deb Perry Ozug ’79 (debgptl@aol.com)

The club held a casual meet-up at Captain Kidd in Falmouth in the summer. About 20 students, family, alumni, and friends attended.