Reunion 2015: A Time to Reconnect, Reminisce and Remember

Among Holy Cross’ many points of pride are its alumni and their loyalty to alma mater. Never is this pride more on display than during Reunion weekends.

“It is inspiring to witness the reconnection of friends,” says Kristyn Dyer, director of Alumni Relations. “Bear hugs, back slaps, heart-felt kisses, and exclamatory moments of recognition give testimony to the wonderful relationships forged on the Hill years ago that remain and grow throughout the years.”

Some alumni took to social media to express how they felt about being back on campus among friends: Katie Tycz ’10 @ciaokatet, "Good to be home." Christina Crowley ’95 @ChristinaCrowl2, "So good to be back on the Hill. Love and miss my friends." Nick Manganaro ’95 @NicholasXPM observed: "Cheers to Class of '95, all appeared to be taking care of themselves.” (View more via Storify.)

This year more than 2,500 alumni and guests made it back to Mount St. James for two event-packed Reunion weekends. The Classes of 1990, 1995, 2005, and 2010 arrived the weekend of May 29-31. The Class of 1990 — celebrating their 25th Reunion — kicked off the festivities with a golf outing, a bar crawl to revisit favorite local watering holes, including Coney Island and McGuire’s, and a class reception and dinner on the Fenwick lawn.

The weather was made to order on Saturday as alumni and families made their way to the fields behind the Hart Center for a family style picnic. Activities included games, food, bouncy houses and pony rides. The men's and women's soccer teams were on hand to host a Crusaders Kids Soccer Clinic. Kids took to the pitch to learn some new foot skills and to have fun. A few participants proved they might even be future team recruits. The day ended with an All Reunion dance party featuring Boston live band Pandemonium. Late night featured food trucks, a photo booth, and selfie sticks to capture the moments for social media.

On June 5-7, the College welcomed back the Classes of 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1980, 1985 and the Purple Knights. The 1843 Legacy Society held its annual luncheon for members and invited guests. Margaret Freije, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College was the featured speaker. She spoke about the many exciting academic initiatives underway at the College, including Arts Transcending Borders, a program committed to enhancing the role of the arts in a liberal arts education, and the plans for a new performing arts center.

Rev. Paul Harman, S.J., vice president for mission, and Marybeth Kearns-Barrett ’84, director of the Office of the College Chaplains, hosted a presentation on the new Thomas P. Joyce ’59 Contemplative Center. A groundbreaking for the project was held in April. The center will enhance the Catholic and Jesuit nature central to the College’s mission. Architectural renderings were on display for viewing.

Director of Athletics Nathan Pine and Head Football Coach Tom Gilmore informed alumni and former Crusader athletes about the exciting plans for the expansion and renovation of the Hart Center and what it will mean for the future of Crusader Athletics. Architectural drawings were on display.

In addition to updates on the College’s capital projects, esteemed alumni returned to give talks to their respective classes: Bob Wright ’65 and his wife, Suzanne, talked about 10 years of Autism Speaks; The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy ’75 talked to his class; and Jim Stroud ’80 whose exhibit, “Collaboration: James Stroud ‘80 and Center Street Studio,” was on display in the Cantor Art Gallery throughout both Reunion weekends.

A highlight of the weekend was Jay O’Callahan’s ’60 performance of “Father Joe—A Hero’s Journey.” Hailed by The New York Times “as a genius among storytellers,” Jay retold the story of his uncle Rev. Joseph O’Callahan, S.J., who served bravely on the USS Franklin as it was attacked by the Japanese. He was the first chaplain to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor after World War II.

The Class of 1965 established a new Reunion tradition for its 50th year. Following the class Mass, classmates, donning straw hats, gathered on the steps of St. Joseph Memorial Chapel for their class photo. After the photo was taken, a bagpiper and drummer led the class in procession to the picnic in Kimball Quad. As the class entered the quad, the attendees already at the picnic, stopped and enthusiastically cheered.

“We hope that the alumni and families in attendance enjoyed their time on the Hill and that everyone returned home safely with many new memories to ponder and share at future Reunions,” says Dyer.

View photos from Weekend 1 »

View photos from Weekend 2 »

View social media mentions via Storify »