Photo Gallery: Snow Didn’t Keep Alumni Away for Winter Homecoming

As the city of Worcester braced for its sixth winter storm in three weeks (as of this writing, the city received the distinction of the snowiest city in the United States), the Alumni Office was putting the final touches on Winter Homecoming activities. Despite the ominous forecast of more snow and mountains of the white stuff already blanketing Mount St. James, hardy alumni and friends returned to campus to enjoy a wide variety of activities.

The Hart Center, the epicenter for family fun on Saturday morning, hosted an open swim and skate. Later in the morning, alumni and their families gathered in Kimball Hall for brunch followed by a free screening of “The Lego Movie” in Seelos Theater.

The annual Legacy Luncheon was attended by more than 200 alumni parents, grandparents, students and families. Attendees pored over yearbooks and exchanged stories about their time on The Hill.

The lunch’s featured speaker, Joe Kringdon ‘80, managing director and head of intermediary distribution at Columbia Management, recalled many of his own Holy Cross experiences. He started by placing a Matchbox taxi cab on the lectern and explained to the audience that this was his ride to campus from his home in New York City. He remembered the look of awe on the faces of his Carlin hallmates when they thought he had enough money to hire a cab for such a long trip. He later shared with them that his dad was the cab driver.

In closing, Kringdon noted that Holy Cross is a place where people learn to care about one another and that he is very proud to be an alumnus.

Holy Cross Paints! was a new and popular activity. Just Paint Worcester helped 20 alumni, students and friends produce one-of-a-kind Crusader masterpieces. Each work of art was personalized to reflect the individual’s own Holy Cross experience.

Students provided entertainment with an a capella showcase at Crossroads. Antonio Willis-Berry '13, a former member of the a cappella group Sounds of Saint James, emceed the show, which featured performances by Sons of Pitches, Fools on the Hill and Off the Record. A few love songs were added to the musical mix in honor of Valentine's Day.

In Mary Chapel, Marybeth Kearns-Barrett '84, director of the Office of the College Chaplains, led alumni through A Foundation of Faith Examen based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Participants reflected on Ignatius’ relationship with God and how this relationship teaches us how to grow in our own personal interactions with God.

A more contemporary approach to spirituality was offered by Assistant Chaplain Keith Maczkiewicz, S.J., who attracted and engaged many students with his popular Holla @ the Collar sessions held in Cool Beans. The sessions provided a great opportunity for alumni to experience a different approach to spiritualty on campus.

Wheeler Hall celebrated its 75th anniversary with a dedication by Rev. Anthony J. Kuzniewski, S.J., professor of history, and a small reception hosted by the Inter House Council and the Office of Residence Life. Alumni enjoyed meeting the current residents and seeing how the hall changed over the years.

The men’s basketball team toppled Lehigh 58-52 before the largest home crowd of the year — 2,137 — at the Hart Center. The Holy Cross men’s ice hockey team split the weekend series with RIT as they won on Friday night by a score of 3-1, and fell to RIT 2-0 on Saturday.

Holy Cross Athletics also celebrated significant milestones in rowing and hockey during Winter Homecoming. The men’s and women's rowing teams dedicated a racing shell to the Class of 1965 in celebration of 50 years of rowing at Holy Cross. Bill Ahmuty '65, John Chiota '65, Rich Ligouri '66 and Mike Scollins '65, all members of the first rowing team at Holy Cross, received a standing ovation when recognized during a timeout at the men's basketball game.

David Berard, men's hockey coach and Nathan Pine, director of athletics, recognized Bill Bellerose '77 during the men's hockey game on Saturday night. Bellerose, who played and coached hockey for the Crusaders and worked in the Athletics Department, retired in December after 37 years of dedicated and loyal service to alma mater.

View all photos from Winter Homecoming.

Check out social media activity during Winter Homecoming.