Reunion 2002- reconnecting and remembering
Amanda Vail ‘02

Reunion Activities

Filling the campus with energy and joy, alumni of all ages brought family, spouses and friends to their alma mater to celebrate Reunion Weekend 2002, June 7 to 9. After a wild night of thunderstorms the sky cleared and sunshine welcomed over 1,000 participants who came to see old friends and reconnect with the memories of a special time in their lives.

Beginning on Friday, alumni had a variety of activities to enjoy. A day trip to Longwood Gardens and the reunion golf outing at Paxon Hollow Country Club brought classmates together outdoors on a beautiful, sunny day. Friday night dinner at the White and Blue Rendezvous class receptions in Connelly Center was the place for catching up with friends, while enjoying a delicious buffet dinner, music and tales of college antics.

Other events on Friday night included a reception for the class of 1992 at Dundale Mansion, the Engineering Alumni Society Awards Banquet and the class of 1952’s Half Century Society Dinner in Donahue Hall.

Saturday began with a buffet breakfast in the St. Mary’s Dining Hall and the Alumni Memorial Mass in Corr Hall Chapel. As the morning sun warmed the cool air, alumni and their guests toured the campus via trolley or attended lectures that included:  “The Worlds of Ireland” with Dr. James Murphy, director of Irish Studies, C&F Assistant Professor Fred Dellva talking about “How the New Tax Laws May Affect Your Retirement Planning” in the newly renovated and expanded Bartley Hall. Dr. Barry C. Johnson, EE ’70 the new dean of Engineering, offered insights on “Engineering Education in the 21^st Century” and Political Science Department Professor Lowell Gustafson led a discussion on current thinking and insights into world affairs. The Nursing Alumni Society offered a “Chat with the Dean”.

Under the big top tent on Austin Field from noon to 3 p.m. was the Reunion Family Picnic, featuring a menu of Philadelphia’s favorite foods. While the kids enjoyed face painting, magic tricks, a moon bounce and arts and crafts, the parents chatted and caught up on news with classmates. In the late afternoon, West Campus came alive with the Alumni soccer game and pick up games of volleyball, basketball and tennis.

At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Alumni Reunion Vigil Mass was held in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, with the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., presiding.  The 2002 Young Alumni Award, which recognizes achievements of those alumni who have completed their undergraduate Villanova education within the past 15 years was bestowed upon Philip L. Brach, CF ’89, executive director of the Midtown Educational Foundation, Chicago, Ill. The highest honor given by the Villanova Alumni Association, the Saint Thomas of Villanova Medal is awarded to alumni who best symbolize the spirit and legacy of Thomas; who have achieved a level of distinction within their chosen fields or professions. This years recipients included:  

• Joanne M. Corless, NUR ’82, founder, AJ Foundation for Children with Autism in Wycombe, Pa.

• Rodger Van Allen, Ph.D. C&F ’59, GS ’65, professor of  theology and religious studies, Villanova University.

• General Anthony C. Zinni (Ret.) C&F ’65, four star general and former commander of the U.S. Central Command U.S. Marine Corps, Special Envoy to the Middle East.

The place to be on Saturday night was the Reunion Dinner Dance in the Pavilion, which was transformed into a beautiful ballroom. Alumni and their guests spent an enchanted evening dancing to tunes from the 40s through the new millennium. Head basketball coach Jay Wright was on hand to introduce one of Philadelphia’s greatest traditions, a mummer’s string band.  The Mummers’ Fralinger String Band brought the crowd to its feet with a rousing rendition of the Villanova fight song. Children ages 7 and up were entertained while their parents danced with planned activities by members of the Blue Key Society.

The weekend ended with Sunday morning Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Church and a farewell brunch.

Peter Kelly, C&F ’62 remarked, “What a wonderful Reunion Weekend…Laughs were contagious all weekend and catching up with news was important to all of us.”

Gary Olsen, A&S ’74, GS ’80, assistant vice president for Alumni Affairs observed that Reunion Weekend reminds participants of the importance of Villanova in their lives. Attendees always have such a great appreciation for the bonds friendship forged here and enjoy reconnecting with old friends. 

Engineers Honored

The Engineering Alumni Society held its 26th annual awards banquet on Friday evening in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center. Robert Bartolini, Ph.D. EE, ’64 received the J. Stanley Morehouse Memorial Award; John P. Harrison, MCE ’97 received the John J. Gallen Award; Abhijit Dasgupta, Ph.D. ’89 received the Carl T. Humphrey Memorial Award. Recipients of the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement included: Thomas Portland, MChE ’72, Jay Beratan, CE ’69, Gerald Mayer, EE ’73 and Steven J. Christini, ME ’95. The Alumni Award for Meritorious Service was given to Bruce Uhlman, ChE ’90, Anthony F. Naccarato, CE ’88, Rory Sparrow, EE ’80, and Karen Hauck, ME ’98.

Alumni gather for reception sponsored by Office of Multicultural Affairs Committee on Diversity   

The Alumni Association’s Committee on Diversity, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Black Cultural Society held an informal reception on June 8, hosted by executive director of Multicultural Affairs, Dr. Ed Collymore, C&F ’59, GS ‘71 and Kimble Byrd, A&S ‘73, trustee and member of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association and Gary Olsen, A&S  ‘74 GS  ‘80 assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs. Joining the group was Jim McIntosh, A&S  ‘69, chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Committee on Diversity and special guest Dr. Barry Johnson, EGR ’70, newly named Dean of Engineering.

More than 25 alumni attended the reception which centered around a discussion on how to create greater opportunities for African-American alumni to become involved in the recruiting of students, ways to increase communication to alumni regarding steps the University is taking to create a more diverse student body and the programs undertaken by the Villanova Alumni Association to increase participation by African-American alumni.  The group put forth a variety of ideas ranging from including the Black Alumni Recruitment Network in college fairs to exploring ways to create more scholarships for students of color. Dean Johnson expressed hope that the College of Engineering could become involved with attracting more African Americans to engineering.

The event “went well” according to Walidah Justice, A&S ’96, and current admission counselor for Villanova. Dr. Collymore commented, “ I had the chance to see people I hadn’t seen since the early ‘70s and I’m looking forward to next year.”

Look for the reception on the Reunion Weekend calendar again next year as it is hoped the event will become an annual affair.