Reunion 2001– Wildcats Meet Again
Irene Burgo

With families, in couples and one-by-one, and especially with lots of energy and enthusiasm, alumni returned to their alma mater during Reunion Weekend 2001, held from June 1 to 3. More than 1,000 graduates from across the country class visited classmates, renewed old memories and created new ones. Despite a few sporadic clouds and showers, activities and festivities went full swing all over the campus all weekend long.

On Friday, alumni enjoyed an outing to The Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pa., and teed off at the annual golf outing held at Paxon Hollow Country Club in Broomall.

On Friday evening, Engineering graduates were recognized during the Engineering Alumni Society Awards Banquet in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center.

John Paul Jones III ‘72 CE, received the J. Stanley Morehouse Award; Coleen M. Burke, ‘90 ME, received the John J. Gallen Award; William M. Goble ‘88 EE, received the Cart T. Humphrey Award. Several individual were honored with the Professional Achievement Award, including: Stephen R. Fitzgerald ‘72 ChE; Stephen G. Sawyer ‘65 CE; Peter J. Sevcik ‘69 EE; and Alberto J. Sanchez ‘65 ME. Four alumni were recognized with the Meritorious Service Award. They are : Jeremy T. Kampp ‘97 CE; John M. Robins ‘70 CE; Samuel V. Brattini ‘63 EE; and William G. DiMaio Jr. ‘80 ME.

Villanovans Revisit Campus

Also on Friday, alumni reconnected with classmates at the Class of 1991 reception in Dundale Mansion. From 7 to 9 p.m. at the Belle Air Terrace in Connelly Center, the weekend kicked off in style at the White and Blue Rendezvous, with music, fun and delicious buffet dinner.

After a delicious buffet breakfast on Saturday morning, alumni headed back to various points on campus for a look at Villanova’s sites, old and new. A ceremony was held to dedicate a building plaque building plaque dedication was held for the Center for Engineering Education and Research, known as CEER. Open houses were hosted by the various colleges, including Liberal Arts and Sciences, Commerce and Finance, Engineering and Nursing. Deans and faculty members were on hand to greet the returning Villanovans.

From noon to 3 p.m. alumni visited with classmates and friends at the Reunion Family Picnic on Austin Field, enjoying fare which featured hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese steaks and hoagies.

The afternoon events included a soccer game and recreation time at St. Mary’s pool.

Alumni Medal Awards

On Saturday evening, June 2, awards were conferred at the Vigil Mass at 5 p.m. in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church. with the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., presiding. The 2001 St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal recipients are:

James P. Musselman, Esq. ‘79, founder, president and executive producer of Appleseed Records in West Chester, Pa.

John M. Sugiura ‘61, chief executive officer, Rukouh Shoji Co. Ltd., Yokohama, Japan;

Paul A. Tufano, Esq. ‘83, senior vice president and general counsel, Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, Pa.

The young alumni award was presented to Mary O’Neill ‘90, administrator for St. Edmond’s Home for Children in Rosemont, Pa.

Former Wildcats celebrated their 50^th anniversary and met classmates at the Class of 1951 Half Century Dinner in Connelly Center. Elsewhere on campus, Wildcats of all ages reunited during the highlight of the weekend, the Reunion Gala Dinner Dance, where food, music and dancing lasted until midnight on Saturday evening in the Pavilion.

Before departing on Sunday, alumni attended Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church and a farewell brunch in St. Mary’s dining hall.

The weekend had several highlights which Gary Olsen, ‘74, ‘80, assistant vice president for Alumni Affairs, reported. Reunion 2001 was a fun-filled event that also turned out to be very meaningful in terms of reuniting classmates. The three highlight that cane to mind were: The Half-Century Dinner, where 94 members of the Class of ‘51 attended, and there was a warm and collegial feeling that you could feel among members of that class. This was a very meaningful night to them," said Olsen. "They were a very special group and were especially appreciative of all the activities planned for them."

Another highlight was the St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal recipients. "All of the awardees spoke eloquently and personally about their relationships with Villanova and the impact that has had on their lives both personally and professionally," said Olsen. "What was remarkable was that there were all very different and had taken very different paths in their careers, but there was a common thread that their Villanova education had a real impact on them and they have all contributed to the betterment of their communities and other people in many ways."

The third feature that Olsen noticed about the weekend was the festive atmosphere, especially at the picnic, created by the many young alumni, who attended with their families and young children. "It is really encouraging when we see our young alumni getting involved and staying involved with the University shortly after graduation."

Many of the returning alumni commented on the beautiful state of the campus–the plantings and grounds in general. "We heard so many times the phrase ‘the campus looks spectacular.’ And people clearly leave feeling proud that they are part of Villanova University and happy that they came back for the weekend. They are really invigorated about the future for them and for Villanova."

Reunion is a special event for the people behind the scenes who plan and execute the details. Christine Denuel ‘88, coordinator of campus programs for the Office of Alumni Affairs, is responsible for organizing Reunion weekend. Denuel commented that one of the biggest challenges every year is contacting and getting commitments from alumni to serve as volunteers in recruiting other alumni to return for the special weekend. But Alumni are indispensable in drumming up support from their classmates and are happy to do so. Other alumni demonstrate their loyalty by visiting their alma mater regularly.

"We have some alumni like Dan Daley ‘32, who comes back every year," said Denuel. "Reunion is a team effort from all areas of the University and of the campus," said Denuel. "Campus personnel take care of everything from grounds and facilities to dining and conference services. We are grateful for their assistance in helping make the weekend a success. It was a lot of fun, and a good time was had by all!