April 18, 2017
News from regional alumni clubs
GREATER CHICAGO
President: Caitlin Cahalan ’04; caitlincahalan@gmail.com
More than 100 alums, current students, family, friends, and supporters turned out to cheer on the men’s basketball team against DePaul in January. Several representatives from PC made the trip to Chicago for this annual outing to show their support, including Father Quigley (Rev. James F. Quigley, O.P. ’60, associate national alumni chaplain). The Chicago club will host a community service day this spring. Watch for details. The club is always looking for new members. Contact Caitlin Cahalan ’04 or check out @chitown_friars on Instagram for more information.
NEW YORK
President: Katie Ferris ’13; katie.ferris523@gmail.com
The Providence College Club of New York began 2017 by hosting the New York Student and Alumni Networking Night. More than 100 Friars came together to share career stories and advice. The event took place at Empire Wealth Strategies, the space donated by Greg Winsper ’86. The club welcomed alumni and Friar fans of all ages to watch the PC basketball team on multiple occasions at Jack Demsey’s, our official game watch location. Watches were held for the Friar Days: Cheer contest against Marquette in February, the PC vs. St. John’s matchup at Madison Square Garden to end the regular season, and during BIG EAST Tournament week. Demsey’s again proved to be an ideal spot to celebrate, cheer, and reconnect with each other.
In March, PCCNY hosted a St. Patrick’s Day reception at Session 73 following the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Alumni, friends, and PC families marched down Fifth Avenue with a College banner and were led by a color guard comprised of PC Army ROTC Patriot Battalion alumni. Upcoming events include a joint Friar Days: Serve project with St. Joseph’s Church in April and our annual trip to the U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in late summer. If you are interested in getting involved with the club or attending an event, contact Katie Ferris ’13.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
President: Peter Bergen ’60; bergen@carolina.rr.com
Led by Peter Bergen ’60, John Kennally ’80, Al Tinson ’64, and Mathilde “Til” Levesque ’85, the Charlotte Area Alumni Club continues to spread the news of Friar happenings in North Carolina. The group participated in Friar Days: Cheer in late February and hosted its fourth annual Mass and Reception on March 12. Rev. J. Stuart McPhail, O.P. ’61, associate national alumni chaplain, celebrated the Mass. To learn more about the club, contact Bergen.
SOUTH COAST, MASS.
President: Deb Perry Ozug ’79; debgptl@aol.com
The club hosted more than 250 members of the Fall River Girls CYO Basketball League and the Westport Girls Basketball League this past season at two PC women’s basketball games. Players and their families enjoyed time on campus, playing time in Mullaney Gym, autographs, pictures, posters, and an ice cream social. In November, we joined the Rhode Island clubs and the New London/Washington County Club to host a men’s ice hockey reception. On Feb. 25, the South Coast Club co-hosted Friar Days: Cheer with the Greater Providence (Mal Brown) Alumni Chapter, the Newport Club, and the New London/Washington County Club. If you are interested in getting involved with South Coast, email Deb Perry Ozug ’79.
HARTFORD
President: Jane Dillon Cerosky ’83; janecerosky@aol.com
The Hartford Club continues to drive momentum in our region with events that spur alumni to celebrate our Friar heritage. We had a successful networking event for students, with more than 70 alumni and guests. Our pre-hockey game reception at Black Bear Saloon on Feb. 8 and our Friar Days: Cheer game watch at Tomato Joe’s on Feb. 25 were great fun. Our next event is a family Mass followed by brunch at Mill on the River in South Windsor. Hope to see you there!
NEW JERSEY
President: Jennifer A. Palombo ’88; Jennifer.Palombo@gmail.com
The Alumni Club of New Jersey had great turnouts for both Friar Days: Cheer locations at the Dublin Pub in Morristown and at Black Bear in Hoboken in February. Father Matt Dooley ’88 is scheduled to lead our group for Friar Days: Serve at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside in April. Save the date: We will be hosting our 2nd annual “Summer at the Shore” party at the Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club on July 15. Also, John ’86 and Amy McCarthy will welcome the Class of 2021 and local alumni at their home on June 15.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
President: Scott Tashjian ’10; scotttashjian@gmail.com
Christmas came early for the “Nor Cal Friars” as more than 35 alumni and friends turned out for the annual party held at the home of Katie Breen ’08. A special appearance by Santa had guests leave with PC swag for under their tree. In February, two game watches were held with fellow northern California BIG EAST alumni groups from Butler and Marquette. In April, a Friar Days: Serve day is planned at the SF-Marin Food Bank. To get in touch about opportunities, reach out to Scott Tashjian ’10.
BOSTON
President: Mark McGwin ’81;mmcgwin@bankatunited.com
The Greater Boston Area Club engaged alumni of all ages throughout the winter months, including a strong contingent of volunteers at the community service project at the Greater Boston Food Bank. More than 200 alums celebrated the holiday season at the Christmas Party, followed by more than 70 attendees at the February Friar Days: Cheer game watch at Central Wharf. Thanks to alumni volunteers Mo Maruping ’12, Kelli O’Donohue ’11,Carolyn Molloy ’06, Joe Neidermeyer ’12, and Jacqueline Luciano ’16 for their assistance with these events. We look forward to our annual community cleanup on April 29 and the Friars at Fenway Red Sox game on June 9. Other events in the planning stages include a club Mass, a harbor cruise, and a networking night.
GREATER PROVIDENCE (MAL BROWN CLUB)
President: Bernard Manchester ’04; bernard_manchester@ml.com
The club hosted another successful Christmas party at the Providence G Ballroom in December with more than 100 alumni in attendance. We are in the midst of our fundraising campaign for the Mal Brown Scholarship, which benefits a local student with financial need. The scholarship drive was fortified by the club’s 50/50 raffle at PC’s BIG EAST men’s basketball home games.In January, the club hosted its annual Student and Alumni Networking Night on campus. The Mal Brown awards presentation was held in February. The award recipients were Robert S. Penney ’89, ’18P, & ’19P and Melinda Penney ’88, ’18P, & ’19P. The Dr. William A. McDonnell Award was given to Michael A. Lee ’79, ’83G, & ’20P. Stay tuned for our spring event in May in the new Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies on campus.
