September 17, 2013
NEWS FROM REGIONAL ALUMNI CLUBS
Atlanta Club
PRESIDENT: Kevin Walsh ’90 kwalsh@lavista.com
Greetings from the Southeast!
Here in Atlanta we have two staple events each year — our Atlanta Braves game in early summer and a Mass and reception later in the year. We host a variety of game watches and beer tastings through the fall and winter in Metro Atlanta, typically in either Buckhead or Sandy Springs.
Just after the start of summer vacation here in North Georgia, we hosted a night at Turner Field to watch the Atlanta Braves play the Toronto Blue Jays. About 25 people, including alumni, family, and friends, enjoyed a pre-game cookout in the Hank Aaron Room. Class years ranged from the 1950s through the 2010s.
In early September, we hosted our annual Mass at the Church of St. Ann in Marietta, followed by a brief reception. The guest of honor, as always, was Msgr. Donald Kiernan ’45, who has played a pivotal role in the Roman Catholic Church and the PC community in Metro Atlanta since the 1950s. The monsignor recently suffered a broken hip, but this has not slowed him down, and he is eager to see everyone each year.
Greater Boston Area
PRESIDENT: Mark McGwin ’81
In June, Mark Sullivan ’94 passed the president’s torch to Mark McGwin ’81. The committee would like to thank Mark Sullivan for the passion and commitment he brought to the alumni base during his many years as vice president and his tenure as president from 2011-2013.
Under Sullivan, the committee began to implement the six pillars of alumni engagement, expanded the number of alumni gatherings in both number and content, and began outreach to younger alumni which has rejuvenated Boston-area events. McGwin, who has been vice president since 2011, will continue the momentum and spirit of the Boston alumni chapter.
In other news, the PC Professional Affinity Groups (PAGs) continue to gather momentum. The next networking event is planned this November, with details to be announced. The mission of PAGs is to create a robust, efficient, and effective alumni network to support the professional aspirations and needs of its members. If you are interested in connecting with alumni involved in PAGs, reach out to Mike Schumann ’93 at mjschumann@gmail.com.
Capital Area
PRESIDENT: Allison Mandich ’01 allison9@gmail.com
Forty-five alumni and 14 students met in June for a Networking Night hosted at Well, Gotshal & Manges LLP in downtown Washington, D.C. The group reconnected with classmates and fostered networking opportunities in several industries. Alumni gave career advice to the newly graduated and current students, while others strengthened professional and personal relationships.
The keynote speaker, Meghan K. Welsh ’06, spoke about her experience as a television producer for the FOX News channel in Washington and how PC prepared her educationally and spiritually for such a fast-paced, high-pressure career.
In May, 10 alumni from the D.C. area volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), which serves 478,100 people in the region and distributes 33 million pounds of food annually. The PC group packed bags of fresh produce so that local children would have fruits and vegetables to cook and eat over the weekend when they were away from the school-provided breakfast and lunch.
Hartford Area
PRESIDENT: Nicole Wroblewski Fenton ’07 nawroblewski@gmail.com
For our FUSION (Friars United in Service to Our Neighborhood) Day, we gathered with Rebuilding Together Hartford to help low-income homeowners through home renovation and repair. Our team made a big difference for a Hartford homeowner with a serious health issue.
We installed a railing on the front steps, placed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home, replaced damaged ceiling tiles, cleaned gutters, and properly vented a clothes dryer. We even cleaned up the landscaping in the front yard with new plants and mulch! The homeowner was extremely appreciative of our hard work. Our volunteers had a great day meeting and getting to know fellow Friars from the area.
In August, the club hosted its Summer Reception, welcoming the Class of 2017 to the Friar family and the Class of 2013 to the Hartford area. Held at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, the event drew approximately 70 students, alumni, and family, with a range of alumni class years from the 1950s to 2013. Alumni enjoyed talking with incoming freshmen about how great their experiences were and answering questions families had.
New York
PRESIDENT: George Catrambone ’05 gcatrambone@gmail.com
PCCNY had a busy summer! In June, the club hosted a networking night at the New York Athletic Club, bringing together alumni, including the newest from the Class of 2013. Robert T. Gorman, Jr. ’78, a member of the Board of Trustees, delivered the welcome and reminded alumni of the many benefits of staying connected.
We finished the summer with a successful U.S. Open outing. While the event signified the end of summer, alumni looked forward to welcoming the Class of 2013 for barbecue, drinks, and giveaways at the third annual “Friars Fall Kick Off” on September 19 at Brother Jimmy’s.
Greater Providence (Mal Brown)
PRESIDENT: Kate Kennedy ’92 kate.kennedy26@gmail.com
The Mal Brown Club hosted the Rhode Island Summer Reception at the Warwick Country Club for area alumni and incoming freshmen. The event featured guest speaker Michael Sullivan ’88, former director, rule of law, for the U.S. State Department in the Province of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Matthew Santos ’14 (Cumberland, R.I), president of the Friars Club and an orientation leader, offered greetings to the Class of 2017 and their families.
The club has a number of terrific events planned for the year ahead. Join us on campus on October 26 for a sneak preview of this year’s men’s basketball team at the Mal Brown Scrimmage following the Friar 5K and Fan Fest. Be sure to enter for your chance to win the 50/50 Raffle at BIG EAST men’s basketball home games. For the past two seasons, the club has raised more than $15,000 for the Mal Brown Scholarship, which is dedicated to helping a Rhode Island resident attend PC.
Other events include downtown networking nights, the Mal Brown Christmas Party, the Providence Student-Alumni Networking Night, the Mal Brown Hockey Night at Schneider Arena, a Night of the Arts at the Smith Center, the Mal Brown Campus Blood Drive, FUSION, and the Mal Brown Awards.
If you live or work in the Providence area and are looking to get involved in planning alumni events as a volunteer or board member, please contact Kate Kennedy ’92
South Coast (Mass.)
PRESIDENT: Deb Perry Ozug ’79 debgptl@aol.com
The South Coast (Massachusetts) Club hosted its Summer Reception in August at the historic carousel overlooking beautiful Battleship Cove in Fall River. We welcomed members of the Class of 2017 and renewed old friendships within our Friar family.
Rev. John F. Hogan ’39 Scholarships were awarded to four students — representing each class from 2014 to 2017 — from southeastern Massachusetts. One of the four, also received the Donnelly Family Scholarship, which is awarded to an incoming freshman.
This fall, we will be gearing up for our two winter events. We host “A Night at Schneider Arena” to lend our support to the men’s hockey team. We also invite Massachusetts girls’ basketball town leagues to attend a PC women’s basketball game … our way of introducing many young women and their families to our beautiful campus.
