In his College blog, College historian Rev. Anthony Kuzniewski, S.J., wrote that “the the saddest day of the year for me is Commencement Day, a day when another group of wonderful young women and men — young persons who have engaged my energy and affection for four years — leave campus as students for the last time. But the other side of that coin in human experience is when our graduates return to campus with life stories that vindicate our enterprise of intellectual challenge, human values, respect for religious faith.”
Springtime at Holy Cross is marked by bittersweet endings, exciting beginnings, and joyful re-connections with members of the Holy Cross family. More than 2,800 alumni and friends returned to campus for reunions during the weekends of May 31-June 2 and June 7-9 to celebrate and see old friends back on Mount St. James.
For the Class of 2008, it was the first reunion back on campus as alumni; for the Class of 1963, 50 years had passed since graduation; for some Purple Knights, reunion has become an annual event. Alumni enjoyed a multitude of activities and programs, including elegant class dinners, family picnics, informative presentations, and trips to local museums. Despite the extreme weather, blazing hot one weekend and a soaker the next, the alumni spirit never dampened.
Reunion highlights included the return of two campus bands. The Class of 1988’s own TRM performed at the 25th Class dinner, and the Millard Fillmore Memorial Band provided post dinner entertainment for the Class of 1973’s 40th reunion.
“Millard Fillmore had the crowd rocking 'til the wee hours,” posted William Bagley Jr. ’73 on the Alumni Facebook page, “the boys have gotten only better with years.”
The annual Andy Kelly ’17 Memorial Fun Walk/Run had the more exercise-minded alumni up early to participate. To learn more about the race’s namesake, read this Holy Cross Magazine story . It is an inspiring read and indicative of the generosity of Holy Cross alumni.
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Boroughs for the 5th through 20th reunion classes. Alumni sang in the choir and served as greeters and Eucharistic ministers. Many in attendance expressed how moving it was to attend Mass again with their classmates.
The Purple Knights inducted alumni from the Class of 1963, an honor bestowed on all who reach the 50th reunion. That evening the class dedicated their class gift in the naming of the area outside of the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom as the Rev. Charles J. Dunn, S.J., Reception Room in Hogan Campus Center.
True to the spirit of generosity Holy Cross alumni are known for, the total financial commitment made by the 12 reunion classes by the end of the last reunion weekend was $13,421,000 to the College — $2,859,900 of which is for the Holy Cross Fund.
Related Information:
- View the complete set of photos from weekend 1 and weekend 2
- Alumni and Friends[gallery orderby="title"]
