The Invisible CurriculumTeaching Self Discipline

Summer 2012

Xavier MOMENT

(Above); Old and new friends were on hand for the Celebrate Xavier Gala on March 8. Here, Rev. James Keenan, S.J., and Peggy Gildea, who is married to Jim Gildea ’70, share a moment. (Opposite page): Jazz from Xavier’s own Blue Night Band.

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>> Celebrate Xavier Gala

it was an evening to remember. Celebrate Xavier Gala, the inaugural event to benefit the Xavier Scholarship Fund, was held on March 8 at the Tribeca Rooftop in downtown Manhattan.

More than 340 members of the Xavier community including alumni, parents, alumni parents, faculty, staff and friends turned out for the event that raised $105,000 to help keep excellent Jesuit Catholic education accessible to bright, hardworking students from New York City and beyond.

Attendees also caught up with influential Xavier figures like Rev. James Keenan, S.J., who served as teacher and headmaster on 16th Street.

“The voice” of Fr. Keenan was one of the most sought-after items in the silent auction. Congratulations to winning bidders Mary Jane and Daniel Moran ’81, P’15. Their voicemail callers are now greeted with a recorded message featuring the loving baritone of Fr. Keenan.

Additional coverage of Celebrate Xavier 2012 can be found on page 30.

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Dear Sons and Friends of Xavier,

My letter is usually the last piece written for each magazine. And I am very happy to say a terrific issue awaits you. In Jim Keenan’s smiling face, news of our students and alums, a look at our outstanding Jesuit scholastics Dennis Baker and Rudy Casals and our feature on teaching discipline, the magazine truly captures Xavier today — a school community enthusiastic in its commitment to excellence and engaged in a wide-range of activities that challenge and expand the mind, heart and spirit.

Since we first considered writing about discipline I have been thinking a lot about the idea of an invisible curriculum and how so much we do at Xavier is part of this invisible curriculum. Most talk about curriculum is about subjects — algebra, British literature, Latin and the like. Yet in all my conversations through the years, I have never run into

men who speak to me about how the Canterbury Tales changed their lives. They instead speak about being challenged and learning to respond to those challenges. They speak about being loved and learning how to love. They speak about learning how to think and deepening their relationships with God. And they speak often about discipline — about how hair cut, shirts tucked and shoes polished taught important lessons about expectations, values and responsibility.

Now what happens in the classroom certainly affects all these things, but the actual course of studies, what people commonly think of as the curriculum has less so. Will reading The Merchant of Venice instead of The Tempest really make that big a difference? It is the relationships, the models, the expectations that really shape us, and this is certainly true of discipline at Xavier. There is little intrinsically good or important about wearing a tie, yet it signals a seriousness of purpose, a preparedness, a certain consciousness that become habits that serve us well for life. While the end goal and methods of what we do may at first blush appear to be invisible, their importance is quite the opposite. The intangibles become all so tangible by the time we are done: certainly by graduation, but even more so as we move through life’s journey.

It is the people of Xavier who deliver this invisible curriculum in all they do. Faculty, coaches, and, in a particular way, the prefect of discipline, known for the past 25 years as the dean of students. Few things are more certain to evoke spirited conversation than the mere mention of one’s

prefect. Fr. Lehmkuhl or “The Moth,” Fr. Heavey or Mr. Gregory, as long as our alums are alive they’ll have stories to tell — many of them even true! Today Mr. Brian McCabe is about to begin his seventh year as our dean giving him the third longest tenure of the 59 deans who have served at Xavier. As tough as the deans may have been on the students, it seems the students may have been even tougher on them! Most of our students had longer tenures than the deans. Brian does an outstanding job in his work at Xavier witnessing to the integrity we hope to develop in all our students.

I hope this magazine is a reminder of all you learned at Xavier that at first blush was not always visible: the value of discipline, hard work, clear thinking, reflection, faith, loyalty and integrity in all we do. I hope it brings forth good memories. And if some of those memories were of discipline that was harsh, I hope you’ll forgive us.

You will note on page 4 that CASE awarded our eNews a bronze medal for web-based publications. My congratulations to Mr. Michael Benigno ’00 who produces the eNews each week for this honor. If we do not have your email, please make sure to send that to us at benignom@xavierhs.org so you can share in this award winning publication. And if you have ideas for stories, or good news to share, please let us know.

Thanks for all you do for Xavier. Enjoy these final days of summer. Happy reading.

For Xavier,

John R. Raslowsky President

From the PRESIDENT

“It is the relationships, the models, the expectations that really shape us, and this is certainly true of discipline at Xavier.”

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XavIER

In this issue

DEPaRTMENTS1. Xavier Moment2. From the President4. News from 16th Street26. Maroon and blue30. Class Notes36. back Story

>> Summer 2012 Summer 2012 volume 15 Number 2

Xavier High SchoolJohn R. RaslowskyPresident

Michael LivigniHeadmaster

Rev. John Replogle, S.J. ’51Assistant to the President

Joseph F. GorskiVice President for Advancement

Michael L. Benigno ’00Director of Communications and Managing Editor of Xavier Magazine

Editorial & Design Serviceserbach Communications Group

How to Reach UsXavier MagazineManaging editorXavier High School30 West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011-6302e-mail: benignom@xavierhs.org

To submit a Class Note, e-mailclassnotes@xavierhs.org

On the cover: Kyle Stelzer ’13 (middle) and Chris Mezi ’14 with Xavier Dean of Students Brian McCabe

8. THE InvISIblE CURRICUlUm An unwritten curriculum at

Xavier instills honor, integrity, accountability and responsibility.

12. nEXT GEnERATIOn JESUITS Jesuit scholastics still shape

the Xavier experience.

16. A GUIDInG FORCE OF lOvE AnD KInDnESS Q&A with Rev. Henry zenorini, S.J.

18. CHASInG ADvEnTURE Patrick McMahon ’08 is far

from Rockaway, but right at home with the Jesuit volunteer Corps.

20. 2012 HAll OF FAmE eight inspiring individuals will

be inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame.

24. PERSISTEnCE PAYS Successful Class Chairs close

the deal for Xavier.

8.12.18.

Students from the Xavier Arrupe Society joined more than 60 fellow Jesuit high school leaders in Oceanside, Calif., for the ignatian Solidarity Network’s (iSN) first annual High School Leadership Summit from February 17–19, 2012.

The iSN High School Leadership Summit invited emerging student-leaders to strengthen their capacity to affect positive social change while deepening their understanding of the relationship between faith and justice emphasized in the spirituality of Saint ignatius of Loyola.

“An essential part of the Summit was the intentional connection drawn between the students’ faith and the way of service that seeks justice,” said Xavier Director of Campus Ministry Kaija Dewitt. “it’s counter-cultural in the lives of many of our Jesuit high school students to live a life that is other-centered. And yet, we have so many students who are living that way.”

Students from nine Jesuit high schools throughout the United States converged on the Old Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center to actively develop their leadership abilities, address contemporary social justice issues and examine their calling to be “men and women for others.”

“iSN is committed to developing emerging leaders for solidarity and justice,” said ignatian Solidarity Network executive Director Christopher Kerr. “The high school students who attended the Summit will bring sparks of passion for justice and desire to be leaders that can be kindled through their time together.”

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News from 16th StreeteMerGiNG leaDerS FOr SOCial JUStiCe

Xavier students and faculty at iSN (L to R): zachary LaRock ’12, Mike Mule of the Religion Department, eugene Dolphin ’13, Dillon Burke ’13, Kaija DeWitt, Director of Campus Ministry, and Daniel Roman ’13.

E-NEwS wINS NaTIONal RECOgNITIONCASe, the Council for Advancement and Support of education, recognized Xavier’s E-News publication as a Circle of excellence winner in June. Xavier received a bronze prize for excellence in independent school web-based publications.

For the past three years, E-News has celebrated the talents and abilities of the Xavier community by bringing colorful, creative stories to a wide range of supporters. E-News has garnered a steady base of readers. The weekly publication educates readers about Xavier’s mission and how it is embodied by students, staff and alumni.

“The CASe award is great news for E-News and for Xavier. The weekly deadlines can sometimes seem tough to meet, but many teachers, students and parents have kept me informed and make the e-newsletter a great success,” said Mike benigno ’00, director of communications. “i feel privileged to see so many facets of life at Xavier and it’s an honor to relay it outward to others.”

To subscribe to the award-winning publication, visit www.xavierhsalumni.org/enews.

NatiONal bOOk awarD wiNNer viSitS XavierNational Book Award-winning author Colum McCann visited Xavier on May 7. The author led an hour-long discussion with Margaret Gonzalez’s A.P. English students on topics that ranged from noted works and writing habits to his lifelong search for answers and purpose.

Nearly all of the students present had studied at least one of McCann’s books. While many asked questions related to characters and storylines, McCann’s main message back to those gathered was a simple but profound lesson on writing and on living life.

“Develop the ability to embrace

failure and the ability to fall, and the desire, stamina and perseverance to get up again,” he intoned. “Being a writer is a bit like being an adventurer. You have your maps and canoe and life jackets, and then you go out and get knocked back. But every now and then you find an undiscovered land.”

Ms. Gonzalez and author Colum McCann.

FaREwEll TO COaCh TOlkINOne hundred supporters of the Xavier rugby program marked the departure of a Xavier Rugby legend on May 29. Coach Mike tolkin ’85 left earlier this year after more than 25 years at the helm of Xavier’s rugby program to become head coach of the U.S.A. eagles men’s national rugby team. He had previously served as defensive coach for the eagles during their recent Rugby World Cup appearance that took place in New zealand last fall.

“This has been my home, this has been my support system and this has been where my family is,” Mr. Tolkin said. “The amount of passion and support you’ve given to the Xavier rugby program

is something that i will take with me forever. i feel completely prepared and confident thanks to that support.”

A number of Mr. Tolkin’s classmates who played on the national championship 1985 team were present, as were many, if not all, of the founding fathers of Xavier’s rugby program. Supporters included tom O’Hara ’69, who brought the sport to 16th Street, Pat Cusanelli ’84, who served as Xavier co-coach along with Mr. Tolkin, tim walsh ’85, bruce Mclane ’85 and Joe Sweeney ’85, current Xavier rugby coaches, and Tony Paolozzi, current assistant athletic director at Xavier.

SONS OF Xavier lOve tHeir MOMSOn May 11, St. Francis Xavier Church held a special Mass in honor of the 175 Xavier mothers in attendance. rev. Jack replogle, S.J. ’51 celebrated the Mass while their sons served as lectors and leaders of song.

To conclude the Mass, Adriane vitale P’12, ’15 and her son, Joseph ’12, offered thoughtful reflections on the special relationship between mothers and their sons. A blessing was exchanged as each senior presented his mother with a Xavier Mother pin.

Following the Mass, the enthusiastic crowd of mothers and sons headed to the school gym for dinner and conversation. Student Council President Daniel Donahue ’12 offered a gracious welcome and President Jack Raslowsky reflected on the great gift that mothers are to their children.

Xavier sophomores concluded a year of seminar sessions with a special presentation by Vincent Eaton ’12, who spoke to the Class of 2014 about his fight with Multiple Hereditary Exotoses, a rare bone disease he was born with, that causes multiple tumors and, possibly, cancer.

Since his birth in 1994, Eaton has undergone more than 25 surgical procedures and, in 2010, tumors in

his shoulder and rib area became malignant. In October of that year, he was diagnosed with cancer but battled his way to a cancer-free state with the support of friends and family. The recent Xavier alum said that a sense of humor has helped him cope with his health struggles. An avid lacrosse player, he came to see his cancer as yet another physical and mental challenge to overcome.

“Someone once said all of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to face challenges head-on. Anything is possible and the fact that I’m standing here alive in front of you is a testament to that,” he said.

In May, Eaton marked 20 months since he was declared cancer-free. He is currently working with his family to raise funds for the MHE Research Foundation. Information can be found at http://www.mheresearchfoundation.org.

Pat Klein P’12 and Joseph Klein ’12

(L to R): Peter Hasslund ’15 and veronica Hasslund P’15; Tatiana Young P’15 and Phillip Sivolobov ’15

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vincent eaton ’12

FaCiNG CHalleNGeS witHOUt Fear

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news from 16th Street

SOPHie kerr awarD FiNaliStS SPeak

Two Xavier alumni groups held exciting events last spring. On May 10, the Xavier Business Council (XBC) hosted three notable physicians in a panel that drew on their impressive knowledge of the medical field.

James Morgan, M.D., ’82, P ’12 has a private practice in New Jersey and dedicates much of his time to LAMP for Haiti, the healthcare foundation he co-founded in 2006 in an underprivileged section of Port au Prince. Ed McManus, M.D., ’74 serves as chair of the board of trustees of Saint Claire’s Health System; his medical specialty is infectious disease. Dominick Gadaleta, M.D., ’78, P ’03 is co-director of the bariatric program at North Shore University Hospital. Together, they addressed trends in healthcare and the challenges of trying to survive as a doctor in private practice.

Prior to the panel, attendees toured Xavier’s new science labs and viewed intriguing science presentations by Martin Puchacz ’14, James Raleigh ’14, Rey Fisher ’13 and Christian Armas ’13. Veronica McCarthy, wife of the late Dan McCarthy, Esq. ’71, attended the lab presentations to celebrate the dedication of one lab in memory of Mr. McCarthy, who was a high-level prosecutor at the Bronx District Attorney’s office and a beloved speaker at Xavier’s annual Career Day.

Also in May, the Xavier Bar Association (XBA) welcomed Richmond County District Attorney Daniel Donovan, Jr., Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, New York County Assistant District Attorney Nitin Savur and Queens County Assistant District Attorney Vincent Carroll ’49.

The event, organized by XBA president Craig Eaton ’78, P ’06 ’12, Brooklyn Republican Chairman, drew several dozen Xavier alumni lawyers, guests and students who had the opportunity to interact with the speakers and hear updates on the notable initiatives taking place in their respective districts.

leaDerS iN HealtHCare aND law atteND XbC aND Xba eveNtS

Four Washington College finalists vying for the prestigious Sophie Kerr Prize for Literary Promise spoke to Xavier english students on May 15. The authors read from their submitted works and inspired Xavier writers. John Connorton ’61 was responsible for the Xavier stop and moved the evening award ceremony to New York’s University Club, where the finalists’ work was heard by members of the publishing industry.

Natalie Butz, Douglas Carter, Maria Queen, erica A. Walburg and Kathryn Manion read selections from fiction and poetry pieces entered into the contest that was established in the 1960s to honor the legacy of Sophie Kerr. each year the contest awards a graduating senior from Washington College a prize of more than $50,000.

Later that evening at the award ceremony, Washington College announced that Kathryn Manion had won the prize. Margaret Gonzalez, chair of Xavier’s english department, was present at the announcement with several Xavier students.

“it was great for some of Xavier’s writers to see college-aged writers who take their craft seriously and work really hard on it,” Ms. Gonzalez said.

Sophie Kerr Prize winner Kathryn Manion, one of four finalists who read from their work at Xavier. Photo credit Kelly Neal.

(Top): Daniel Donovan, Jr., Charles Hynes, Nitin Savur, vincent Carroll ’49 and Craig eaton ’78, P’06, ’12 at the Xavier Bar Association event. (Bottom): Kevin McLaughlin ’74, Dr. James Morgan ’82, P’12, Dr. ed McManus ’74 and Dr. Dominick Gadaleta ’78, P’03.

CElEbRaTINg ThE ClaSS OF 2012

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SCeNeS FrOM St. PatriCk’S Day

June 14 marked the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication for members of Xavier’s graduating Class of 2012. Graduating seniors filled the aisles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral while family members and, for the first time ever, an online audience of more than 500 alumni, friends and supporters watched a live stream of the event, made possible by the Cathedral.

Commencement speaker Daniel Rodriguez ’58, a longtime member of Xavier’s Board of Trustees and former chair of the Xavier Plant Committee, that oversees crucial building and infrastructure changes on 16th Street, spoke about his time as a student and the crucial career advice he received from Rev. Gerard Knoepfel, S.J., Xavier’s student counselor.

“You all have completed a very rigorous, and also an enjoyable four-

year period in your lives,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “You’ve been taught by a gifted and spectacular faculty and you’ve been given the tools that are so necessary in order to continue to the next step in your life’s work…As you begin on your next personal life’s journeys, I want you to remember Xavier as being a safe harbor in both good and stormy times. Xavier will always be here for you, but you must also always be here for Xavier.”

This year’s salutatorian was John Cortese ’12, who delivered the welcome address and spoke about the lessons he has learned over the last four years. Aman Grewal ’12, valedictorian, spoke about the support he and his classmates received from others. “This

is our chance to apply what we have learned here in the world,” Grewal said. “We can be leaders in our own daily lives, be men of honor, of integrity and of compassion.... We can be the men Xavier has tried to make us become.”

it was all smiles as the Class of 2012 congratulated one another following the ceremony.

Members of Xavier’s JROTC Regiment and the Blue Night Band made Xavier proud on St. Patrick’s Day, marching with pride down New York’s 5th Avenue in the largest parade in the country — this year, led by Grand Marshal Frank Comerford ’73. Xavier’s Regiment was led by Cdt. Col. Gregory watch ’12, and the lines of Xavier’s finest looked sharp as they passed the reviewing stands.

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The ultimate value of the discipline learned at Xavier may not be obvious until years after graduation. An unwritten curriculum instills honor, integrity, accountability and responsibility in students so that when they become fathers, husbands, parishioners and men they act out these values to make the world a better place.

TheInvisible

Curriculum

Brian McCabe, the dean of students since 2006, has seen firsthand the personal growth and maturation of Xavier students. “Nothing is more important than the teacher/student relationship in the classroom,” he said. “The dean does all the other things. When the machinery starts to break down, whether it is a student blowing his top or something else, the dean is the one who steps in. Sometimes you use the chisel for fine work. Sometimes you use dynamite to send a message. You have to be able to do a little bit of everything.”

Discipline from WithinStill, the primary goal of discipline at Xavier isn’t punishment. Instead students learn that discipline is a quality that comes from within.

It’s an outlook instilled in rising senior John Chiaia ’13. “If you get better at what you do and see success, that should motivate you to work even harder. I would hate to look back 15 years from now and think that I sailed through my high school career,” Chiaia said emphatically. “I don’t ever want to say I ‘managed’ to graduate. I want to say I worked to be in the position I am today.”

When most students arrive, discipline is a quality they conspicuously lack. By the time they graduate, it will have grown to become a strong, internal force. It’s no exaggeration to say it can be a life changing transformation.

For Matthew Donohue ’99, Xavier is where he

learned accountability and responsibility. “You learn to own up to your actions. You look at yourself and say, ‘I screwed up, and it’s on me.’” The conclusion, he insisted, is inescapable. “It’s not anyone else’s fault. You realize there are consequences for things that you do.”

Mr. McCabe explained, “Problems come in life. Your kids get sick, there are problems with finances, problems finding a job, there are health issues. These things don’t come at a convenient time. They are just put before us, and we either rise to the challenge or not. And that’s the way I try to approach this. It’s not about what you want, it is about your obligations and responsibilities.”

The lifelong value of discipline is a point of view shared by Kevin Cuddihy ’86, assistant dean of students from 1990 until 1999 and dean from 1999 until 2003. “My hope for all of our students is that they’re all going to contribute to society,” he said. “Xavier is a society within a society. We need to take care of each other. We need to make sure that this society, this thousand-person community, runs well. That means that we’re getting to places on time, we’re dressing the way we’re supposed to dress at the appropriate time. We’re treating each other with respect.”

While confiscating a student’s cell phone is a relatively new concern, some of Mr. McCabe’s techniques are as old as the hallways themselves. “Calling a student out in front of his classmates is not fair,” he cautioned. “They

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Discipline at Xavier is put into practice across a wide range of academic, extracurricular and athletic activities.

“My expectation for all of our

students is that they’re going to

contribute to society.”

10. XAvieR MAGAziNe

can’t respond to you in front of others, without getting themselves in deep, deep trouble. So they resent it. That’s why, when I need to talk with someone, I might point to him and say ‘my office, immediately, directly.’”

Core value in School lifeXavier’s commitment to discipline is in part a legacy of the Regiment. Senior Army Instructor LTC Roy Campbell (USA, ret.) believes that same spirit lives on in the current JROTC program. “Discipline is a bedrock virtue,” he said. “In the Regiment, the cadets discipline each other, they police the ranks. The ultimate goal, of course, is for self-discipline to kick in. This makes the external discipline task very simple. But we do find, over time in the Regiment, their self-discipline increases markedly.”

Discipline is a quality that permeates every aspect of life at Xavier, extending far beyond its walls. In athletics, while winning is important, it isn’t everything. Student-athletes learn that breaking the rules cheapens victory, robbing it of its value. They also are reminded they are students first, and athletes second.

It’s a lesson varsity linebacker Erik Nicoles ’12 learned well. “There are a lot of instances when people cheap shot you,” he recalled. “Your initial reaction is to get back at them. But as a team we would say, ‘What’s the point of getting a penalty and hurting the whole team?’ We pretty much all played like that. You’d see the other teams, they’d lose control, get penalties, and their coaches

would be screaming. We just didn’t do that.” One Xavier tradition synonymous with discipline, in

the minds of current students and alumni alike, is JUG—after school detention. JUG has even inspired poetry of a sort, as in the case of James F. Linskey ’24, who wrote:

Oh, heed not the demons of mischiefWho incite you to break the rule;For the desolate Jug is awaitingAll tardy and thoughtless young fools.“Formation work doesn’t take place during

JUG,” explained Mr. McCabe. “It takes place in the conversations before and after. JUG is an opportunity to say, ‘You’ve made a mistake, now how do you take responsibility for it?’ That’s really the formation part.”

Chiaia speaks for his classmates when he credits attending Xavier for helping him become the person he is today. “I remember walking into Xavier for my first day, and the boy who walked through those doors has certainly changed over the past three years,” he said. “As a senior, I’ve finally started to realize that Xavier will always be teaching you lessons, and not just in the classroom. Without even realizing it, I’ve grown up at Xavier.”

model for OthersFor Chiaia and other members of the Class of 2013, one aspect of this newfound maturity is acting as a role model for underclassmen. “The responsibility of setting a good example and helping underclassmen will be and should always remain one of the most significant responsibilities of a senior,” he explained.

Yet there remain times when discipline can seem harsh. “You’re not here to sugarcoat anything,” explained Mr. McCabe. “Cura personalis is not making everyone feel good. It’s teaching students what they need to be successful and to realize their full potential. Sometimes it is making them feel good. Sometimes it is telling them, in an unvarnished version, of why they are screwing up. It’s because their actions lack gratitude or demonstrate laziness,” he insisted.

It would be a mistake, though, to envision this mission to teach discipline as a lonely, stoic effort on the part of the dean of students. Mr. McCabe certainly doesn’t. “You don’t do it alone. If you start to think it is all on you then you’re in trouble,” he said. “You’re doing it with God’s help. You’re doing it with the help of your colleagues. You’re doing it with the help of a boy’s parents.”

To Mr. Cuddihy, the work of the dean of students was always a two-way street. “There was a student in my freshman Latin class whom I called Alfredo, because his name is Alfred,” he said. “We joked around, and I made sure he got involved with the class. I kept an eye on him, like I kept an eye on all of them. Later, he got leukemia, and spent a lot of time out of school. I visited him over at Sloan-Kettering, maybe once a week. Fast forward to

June 30, 2003, my last day at Xavier. Alfred had gone through a lot the last part of his time at Xavier and he came to see me. He made a special trip from Staten Island and said, ‘Mr. Cuddihy, to me you were Xavier.’”

The former dean of students considered that moment, then added, “Alfred was a great kid. I didn’t change Alfred. Alfred changed me.”

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For Xavier alumni, there is one man who inevitably comes to mind when they think back to their student years. His title alone was once enough to have given them pause: the dean of students, or for earlier generations, the prefect of discipline.

These men did far more than enforce Xavier’s standards and rules. They established a culture that continues today. They also became the stuff of legend, none more so than Franklin D. Gregory.

“I was at Xavier for 27 years. I was the dean of students for 25 of those years,” Mr. Gregory reminisced. “I’m a big fellow. I’m five foot eleven, but I’m quite broad. So I have a physical presence. I was always in their face. I was very loud, and very physically present. And I never hesitated to jump into the middle of anything.”

Mr. Gregory, who retired in 1999, vividly recalled the metamorphosis students underwent during their four years at Xavier. “When they come in, a lot of them are skittish. They’re a little bit frightened. Sometimes a lot frightened. Then as they go into the second year, they’re sometimes a little bit rambunctious, and they try to sort of spread their wings. Then they get a little more serious. By the time they are seniors, they’re more concerned with what is going on in the classroom than with fooling around.”

While his approach has at times been termed ‘tough love,’ Mr. Gregory said the term is totally wrong. “I don’t like that. It’s not ‘tough love.’ Tough is not a good word. I believe in ‘consistent expectations.’”

He illustrated his point with a story. One afternoon, coming back from football practice on the bus, a player spit out the window. Initially Mr. Gregory told him, “That’s no problem.” Then the player ruefully admitted, “There was a guy on a bike there.” The former dean of students remembered the moment. “Even if he didn’t intend to hit the poor guy, we’re all responsible for our actions. So I told

him, ‘Ten days JUG.’” Which would have been the end of the matter, except the player added, “But it was your son.” Once again Mr. Gregory replied, “Ten days JUG.”

Looking back, the former dean of students stressed, “You need consistency.” Still, he added, “I’m happy he didn’t tell me it was my son first.”

During his tenure as dean, Mr. Gregory took pride in his knowledge of the students. It is a tradition that current Dean of Students Brian McCabe carries on.

Perhaps the greatest bit of mythology to surround the dean of students is the belief that, wherever you go, whatever you do, he somehow knows. Mr. Gregory recounted one particular incident. “Senior Day is the last day of senior class, and the seniors sometimes pull pranks. This day I was walking right near the third floor elevator, and a kid came out of the elevator with a motorcycle. And he looked at me and said, ‘How did you get here? How did you know I was coming?’ He assumed, erroneously, I was there for him.”

Mr. Gregory appreciates opportunities to spend time with former students — and some of those reunions, based on the students’ high school record, might seem unexpected. “This past year, I was invited back to lunch three times by members of the Class of ’76,” he said. “One of the kids was an honors student. The second kid was a pretty good student. The third was almost thrown out any number of times, and was always in JUG.”

25 yearS iN tHe DeaN’S OFFiCe

Cover STORy

Legendary former Dean of Students Franklin Gregory

12. XAvieR MAGAziNe

Next generation JesuitsJesuit scholastics

still shape the Xavier Experience

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For Dennis Baker, S.J., the road to Xavier began in upstate New York. Buffalo, to be precise, as a student at Canisius High School. He was 14 when he saw the Xavier gym for the first time, as a member of the Canisius basketball team — the visiting team.

Rodolfo Casals, S.J., took an even less direct route to 16th Street. He arrived at Xavier after time spent first at the U.S. Naval Academy, then as a Surface Warfare Officer at sea, followed by a five-year assignment in Japan.

Still, their different paths led to a common experience. It’s a practice that helps differentiate Jesuit formation from that of other orders, one that extends back to the earliest days of Xavier. Jesuit Regency follows the first profession of vows and precedes further study and ordination. During this period, young Jesuit

scholastics work full-time for two to three years in a Jesuit ministry. Often that means teaching high school students. Training a new generation of classroom teachers isn’t the primary goal, however.

According to Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, “The specific aim of Regency is to deepen the spiritual integration and human maturation of the Jesuit in all aspects, with its objective demands of organization, regularity, adequate evaluation of time and means used, of collaboration and service to others.”

From Mr. Baker’s perspective, Regency “gives a guy a chance to test his vocation, to see if this is really what

“There’s a long history of Regents here, in many ways doing the same kind of things I am doing now.”

Xavier has long been a stopping place in the passage of young Jesuits through their journey of formation. At the same time, Xavier students draw unique inspiration from these young men of God. Dennis baker, S.J., and Rodolfo Casals, S.J., Xavier’s most recent scholastics in Regency, reflect on their teaching and learning experiences on 16th Street.

Next generation Jesuits

Xavier MISSION

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God is calling him to. It’s a chance to have people teach you about what kind of priest they want you to be. Obviously, I’m working with teenage boys. They don’t have that kind of vocabulary yet. What they want from me, in my future priesthood, has become more and more clear over my time here.”

Mr. Baker laughed when he recalled another common aspect of Regency that he has experienced at Xavier as well. “I sometimes say it is to figure out how much work you can do with as little sleep as possible,” he said.

In addition to teaching Global Studies to freshmen, and U.S. History to juniors, Mr. Baker also served as assistant varsity basketball coach and head freshman baseball coach. He sees his work as a continuation of a cherished Xavier tradition. “All you need to do is crack open a yearbook and you see Xavier has a special history of having Regents. At one time they all lived in one part of the house together. There’s a long history of Regents here, in many ways doing the same kind of things I am doing now.”

Historically, scholastics played a prominent role at Xavier. Viewed as role models by many students, they were young, smart and enthusiastic. Their camaraderie was obvious and encouraging. They were also seen as somewhat more approachable than older faculty members, leading to the observation that the scholastics at times knew and understood some students better than these young men knew themselves.

From the navy to 16th StreetFor two years, Mr. Baker was the only Regent at Xavier. Mr. Casals joined the faculty for the 2011–2012 academic year. “It was like returning to something that was oddly familiar, but rather distant. In terms of being on a schedule it’s very much like being on a ship again. The place was humming at its own tempo,” he recalled.

Paradoxically, the time Mr. Casals spent as an officer in the U.S. Navy contributed to his decision to become a Jesuit. While stationed in Japan, he happened upon a church dedicated to the memory of three Japanese Jesuits and 17 laymen martyred in Nagasaki during 1597.

“It’s a very Catholic symbol in a non-Catholic country. It definitely stuck in my mind. I had no idea who these guys were. Later on, I searched out information. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, there’s a

Catholic church out here, and it is very Jesuit,’” he said.After five years in Japan, Mr. Casals returned to

the Naval Academy to teach and serve as a company officer. The chaplain at the Academy was a Jesuit. “I had a great example of a living Jesuit, day in and day out,” he reminisced. Still, it was several more years until he recognized in himself the calling to join the Society of Jesus.

He remembers that period as a time of personal confusion. “It’s not like I ran a ship aground, or something tragic happened. I was really torn about this idea of becoming a priest. I was very happy in my career. But the idea wouldn’t go away,” he said.

Now the Jesuit scholastic is teaching physics to both freshmen and seniors, providing him with a range of opportunities and challenges. “The goal is not just to teach physics. I use it as a starting point, a means to an end. There’s an underlying agenda in the work that I am doing. To help them come to experience God, God that creates and loves us through Creation. And the story of physics is the story of how God loves.”

Teaching at Xavier, though, means teaching teenagers. “I offer them adult relationships, for which they are not ready. Then I wait. And when they are done being adolescents, I will still be here to offer them an adult relationship,” Mr. Casals added.

Early on, Mr. Baker discovered that at least some students weren’t at all sure why he was here. “They really

“we’re here to do physics, but I’m here to help them become men. and they’re here to help me become a priest. They love this idea that we are in on something together.”

For Rodolfo Casals, S.J., the route to Xavier included climbing Mount Fuji in Japan.

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Xavier PEOPlE

didn’t know what to make of me. I’m young, probably the first person they have seen who wears a Roman collar and is still so young. The fact that I like hip-hop music, and I play it in my classroom all the time. The fact I played sports, and continue to coach them. The fact that I don’t teach religion, but secular subjects. Until you get a little street cred around here, it’s like, ‘What’s with this guy?’”

Mr. Casals also finds teaching at Xavier rewarding. “Regency is still a period of formation. The freshmen, in particular, pick up on this. We’re here to do physics, but I’m here to help them become men. And they’re here to help me become a priest. They love this idea that we are in on something together.”

Besides marking the end of the academic year, the completion of final exams also signaled the end of Mr. Baker’s time at Xavier. Starting in August, he will be studying theology at Boston College, as a prelude to his eventual ordination. He’s already reflecting on his time at Xavier. “I’ll take away a lot of memories. Watching students you’ve known walking down the aisle at Saint Patrick’s during graduation. Coaching big games, and players I’ll never forget. The people I worked with. These

people are so dedicated,” he said. “I see myself over the course of these three years growing more comfortable in my own vocation. Certainly more comfortable with priesthood.”

Come September, Mr. Casals will once more be in a Xavier classroom, as his Regency and his personal search continues. “I’m still very much in process,” he said, “Finding out, through the mediated context of physics. Letting the Spirit work.”

For more information on Jesuit scholastics, visit www.jesuitvocation.org.

Dennis Baker, S.J. said he has grown more comfortable with his vocation through teaching at Xavier.

Xavier MISSION

rev. Daniel Fitzpatrick, S.J.Scholastic in Regency 1960–1963

“We were young, and this was our first real experience, having that much responsibility as a Jesuit. it really helped

me with my vocation, and deepened my relationship with God. i learned a lot about how to deal with people. i think it helped a lot when i went back to study Theology. i now knew what it means to have an apostolate, what it means to help people. i’ve got to learn Theology, study Theology, so i can help people.”

Fr. Fitzpatrick today: Works as ecclesial Assistant for Christian Community Life for the New York Province of the Society of Jesus. He is also moderator of the Brooklyn Prep Alumni Association, which financially supports Jesuit high schools across the country.

rev. anthony aracich, S.J.Scholastic in Regency 1962–1964

“My first meeting with the headmaster was not encouraging. He took a look at me, short and skinny as i was then, and

said, ‘You are going to have to do.’” Headmaster’s misgivings aside, Fr. Aracich went on to become a demanding, yet popular teacher. “i really didn’t have any expectations when i came to Xavier, but lived from day to day, and my Regency period turned out to be wonderful.”

Fr. aracich today: Became an expert in languages and language teaching, and built and reformed language programs in many Jesuit high schools. He now does pastoral work at All Saints Parish in Jersey City, and teaches at Saint Peter’s College.

tHe SCHOlaStiCS OF Xavier

Since its founding in 1847, hundreds of Jesuit scholastics have played an essential role at Xavier. Two former scholastics reflect on their time on 16th Street and how the experience shaped their lives as Jesuits.

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a guiding Force oflove and kindness

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a guiding Force oflove and kindness tell me about growing up during the Depression.

We didn’t know. We had a lot of fun! We ate every day. My mother would say get out of the house and go play and come home when it’s time to eat.

My dad worked with his brothers in the embroidery business in Union City. They used to carry such a large stock of yarn that some of the embroidery people came to them to see if they could buy yarn. Then they said, “This is a pretty good business,” so they switched to selling yarn. They established the zB Yarn Mills — “zB” for “zenorini Brothers” — where they converted and dyed yarn to be used by the embroidery industry.

The Catholic school was a mile away, so my father said i wasn’t going there, i was going to the public school right across the street. The school was fairly new, but it was the Depression. They had a kitchen in the basement for the girls to learn how to cook and they had a carpentry shop for boys to learn woodworking. Since the school budget could not pay for teachers to man these labs, they remained rooms we viewed through the windows of closed doors.

you went to Saint Peter’s Prep. How did you end up there?i knew that the neighboring Pidgeon boys played basketball there. i asked my father if i could go there, too. Not to be outdone by his neighbors, he, too, would send his son to a private school.

who had the biggest influence on you?The Prep scholastics! They looked like a bunch of fellas that were having a lot of fun. They seemed to be enjoying everything that they were doing.

During freshman year at Prep, Father Shalloe became principal. He was an easy and enjoyable person to talk with about personal things.

when did you first start think about becoming a Jesuit?Well, i thought about it in high school. in fact, i think Fr. Shalloe had already sent my name in. But i didn’t go. My father had the business and i was the only son. So i went to Lowell Technical institute in Massachusetts to get a degree in textile engineering. At the end of senior year, i volunteered for the Army Air Corps.

i was trying to be a pilot but i had a problem with depth perception. i used to land the airplane and it would start to go into the ground. The instructor said, “You’re going to kill me,

and i have two kids!” Then they put me into communications. But the european war ended just as i was about to be sent overseas, and i didn’t have to go.

After being discharged from the Army, i went to work for Stein-Tobler, one of my father’s customers, to get an understanding of how and for what purposes zB’s yarns were used. it was an informative one-year experience. My salary there made it easy to set an agreeable amount with my father as i started to work for zB.

So when did you decide to join the Jesuits?My father used to take some of the factory’s male employees for a retreat at the Jesuit retreat house in Morristown, N.J. it was there that i renewed my acquaintance with the Jesuits. There i recalled my vocational interests of St. Peter’s Prep days. i also wondered about how my life didn’t end up at risk in a plane or on a battlefield. Did God want me to work for Him?

i’m a Jesuit 61 years. i’m a priest 51 years. And i’m 91 years old.

what’s been the highlight of your life as a Jesuit?What i really enjoy is teaching Math. i did this at Fordham Prep and at Xavier’s summer school. i found it a great experience to watch students grasp a concept, like a bulb going on. As a counselor, i did not experience this too often. There was always the after-feeling,” What did i accomplish today?” To have a positive answer to this question, i believe, is what motivated me to take up the hobby of making stained glass objects. At the end of my efforts, i could see concrete results. “i made that.”

How has your spiritual life changed through the years?The biggest difference is that i used to say a lot of verbal prayers, you know, rattle them off. Now i pray with my mind…meditation. i can pray silently and think about a Gospel passage. i’ve overcome the dependence on verbal prayer.

what’s something you would like to say to the Xavier Jesuit Community about your life here?i thank them for their brotherly love and their patience. Two years ago a child on a bike hit me and knocked me over. i broke my hip. Now [pointing to elastic stockings], i can’t take these off. So, at night, after dinner, if my room door is open, it is an invitation for a passerby to come in and take my socks off. The love and the kindness and the care that they give me — i’m very grateful for that.”

Xavier PEOPlE

Rev. Henry Zenorini, S.J., is 91 years old, has been a priest for 51 years and a Jesuit for 61 years. He entered the Society of Jesus later than most of his generation, after working in his father’s business and serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He first came to Xavier High School as a counselor in 1970 and currently resides in the Xavier Jesuit Community. We caught up with Fr. Zenorini recently to reflect on his life and times.

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very time Patrick McMahon ’08 looked out his office window this past winter, he was reminded of just how far from home he really was. Swan Lake takes on a light layer of ice from November on, and is

frozen solid for two or three weeks each year. It’s not uncommon to see bald eagles scampering over the ice, and they’re even spotted regularly right in downtown Sitka, Alaska — 95 miles southeast of Juneau — perched on the rooftops of stores or on branches above.

Sitka is about the size of Rockaway Beach, Patrick’s hometown, but the similarity ends there. For the past

year, Patrick has been living in Sitka while serving the small non-profit Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) as a full-time volunteer through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest ( JVC).

The four core vales of JVC work are social justice, simple living, community and spirituality. Volunteers reside in the same environment as those they serve, and, currently, more than 300 schools, nonprofit agencies and organizations spread across 39 U.S. cities and six foreign countries count on Jesuit Volunteers for essential services.

As an independent living advocate and outdoor recreation and community access coordinator,

E

Chasing adventure

Patrick mcmahon ’08 is far from Rockaway, but he’s right at home at work with the Jesuit volunteer Corps.

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Chasing adventure Patrick meets with consumers who are disabled and underprivileged, and who frequently travel for miles from even the most remote rural outposts to appeal for SAIL assistance. The Sitka branch of the organization is small, with just an office director and Patrick, and it is run by grant money and volunteer staff; no bills are sent to Medicaid. Unless weather prevents him from doing so, Patrick makes the three-minute commute to the SAIL office by bike.

Some days, he makes rounds to homes throughout the area to deliver supplies and assistive devices to some of the 100 local families served by SAIL, a total of approximately 1,000 individuals. “Resources are often scarce and difficult to obtain, but my job sometimes leaves me with a heartbreaking sense of joy. I’ve realized that there’s more to life that needs to be done, other than just taking care of myself, ” Patrick said.

The work is humbling, rewarding and rejuvenating. Combined with weekly spirituality reflections and community sharing sessions with the four other JVC Northwest volunteers he lives with, Patrick’s work has deeply affected his views on service, social justice and compassion.

“I’ve learned a lot about what I don’t need,” Patrick said. “There’s a sense of materialism you can’t really escape back home, a superficial level of needing things and wanting things.”

Patrick’s chase for solidarity with those in need began at Xavier, by his own account, with service experiences such as the Companions of St. Francis Xavier immersion trip to Alabama he took part in. Later, as an undergraduate at Canisius College, Patrick volunteered at Loyola High School, in Tamil Nadu, India, and spent his freshman and sophomore winter breaks in service at Brooklyn Jesuit Prep. Upon graduation, Patrick realized he could go to graduate school and get a job, he could enter the middle class and work for a corporate wage, or he could do something bolder.

“I chose Alaska because I wanted an adventure,” he said. “I wanted to take the education about the world that I began in high school and college, and to continue that.”

Several months into his service work, Patrick encountered a woman in her 30s who, following a misdiagnosed illness, had suffered a debilitating fall. Bed-bound, the woman was rail-thin and couldn’t stand up, let alone care for her two children. A relative had given her a used iPad to watch videos, send e-mail and

use Skype, but she only had enough energy to hold the three-pound device for a few minutes at a time. SAIL purchased a bedside stand that would fit under her bed and would allow the iPad to be used hands-free and enable her to keep up with her family and act independently.

“SAIL has an individualized definition of success,” Patrick said. “Someone could be applying for Medicaid or just trying to use the bus, or seeking advice to deal with a problem. We work with them on goals they set for themselves. There isn’t a set checklist.”

He is far from home, but greatly appreciates the stark differences between his life back east and his service in the far northwest. “You never know what living a volunteer life will be like until you deal with single digit temperatures and get fish from local fishermen,” he said. “You can’t go to Walmart or Target. Now, after living here, I don’t have any interest in doing so. It’s very different from living in New York or anywhere else.”

In late April, Patrick returned to New York for 10 days, spending time at home in Rockaway and visiting friends in Buffalo. He was faced with the task of describing how his outlook has changed. “It was the weirdest thing, trying to explain what it was like. People offered to get me things to bring back with me, but I didn’t need anything. I get my clothes and winter weather gear from a nonprofit thrift store.”

As his service year comes to an end, Patrick will either remain at work in Sitka or begin studies at Boston College as part of a dual degree program in mental health counseling and pastoral ministry, which he has deferred his admission to.

“JVC likes to say that once you join up, you’re ruined for life,” he said. “You never really look at the world quite the same way, but I feel like I was ruined for life at Xavier. I received such eye-opening experiences and an incredible Jesuit education from high school and I realized that there’s so much more to life than just your hometown.”

“I’ve learned a lot about what I don’t need. There’s a sense of materialism you can’t really escape back home, a superficial level of needing things and wanting things.”

Xavier PEOPlE

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2012Hall of fame Inductees

Rev. vincent J. Duminuco, S.J. 45th headmaster; former president of JSEA and secretary of Education for the Society of Jesus in Rome. †

Eight individuals who exemplify the highest ideals in Jesuit education will be honored at

the 2012 Xavier Hall of Fame Dinner on november 9. nominated by their peers, the 2012

class of inductees represent multiple facets of the Xavier community and experience. As

they join the Wall of Fame, their leadership, actions and selfless service to others and God

are an inspiration to us all.

Rev. David S. Ciancimino, S.J. ’77Provincial of new York Province; former principal of Canisius High and headmaster of Xavier; Xavier Insignis medal recipient.

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bold vision. Compassionate leader. As Xavier’s 52nd headmaster, Rev. David S. Ciancimino, S.J. ’77 proved a bold yet compassionate school administrator. A strong leader, unselfish in his devotion to others, he guided the Xavier staff and student body through one of the most challenging periods in Xavier history — the attacks on 9/11. Prior to his 1997-2004 term as Xavier headmaster, Fr. Ciancimino served as principal of Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y. Following Xavier, he went on to serve the New York Province of the Society of Jesus as provincial’s assistant for secondary education and was named provincial in 2008. In his current capacity, he is guiding the merger of the New York, New England and Maryland provinces and his care for the Jesuits in those three areas during this time of transition has been praised as a great source of comfort.

“Fr. Ciancimino is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met,” said Martin Kurzatkowski ’02. “When speaking with him, you always know he is listening, and doing so with compassion. Since my first year of high school, I’ve been blessed to be able to consider him a friend, and it is a friendship I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Shaper of Jesuit EducationRev. Vincent Duminuco, S.J., was a world-renowned expert in the academic study of education. Fr. Duminuco served as Xavier’s 45th headmaster from 1969-1974

and was later named president of the Jesuit Secondary Education Association ( JSEA). In 1986, he was named secretary of education for the Society of Jesus, a worldwide position he held until 1996, when he became a visiting professor at Fordham University. Fr. Duminuco’s most recent work, published in 2000, was The Jesuit Ratio Studiorum: 400th Anniversary Perspectives and featured “Characteristics of Jesuit Education” and “Ignatian Pedagogy: A Practical Approach,” two influential documents he was instrumental in creating.

“Fr. Duminuco had a genuine love for teaching and mentoring his students,” said Jennifer Mussi, Ph.D, a former Xavier trustee. “His commitment to and passion for the Society of Jesus was evident in everything he did, and his presence is greatly missed. His legacy lives on through the many students he taught the classic and contemporary texts of the Society of Jesus, many of whom currently serve in Jesuit secondary and higher education throughout the world.” Fr. Duminuco passed away in 2008.

man For Others In his life and death, LCPL Michael Glover USM ’97 embodied the ideal “Man for Others.” The attacks on 9/11 made a deep impression on this Son of Xavier. In 2004, LCPL Glover interrupted his studies at Pace Law School and enlisted in the U.S. Marines. A year later, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, he recruited friends and

lCPl michael D. Glover ’97 Selfless man of service, motivated by 9/11 attacks, killed in action as a marine in Iraq. †

mr. Roger T. Kirwan ’60 Founder of Ganis Credit Corp., Chairman and CEO of Woodside Credit Corp., philanthropic leader at Xavier and many other institutions.

mrs. Grace lamour First female faculty member at Xavier, beloved science teacher who inspired generations of Xavier students. †

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hall OF FaME INDuCTEES

Rev. John J. mcDonald, S.J. ’45 44th headmaster, provided crucial guidance and leadership during the 1960s, late 70s. †

mr. William S. mcKiernan ’74 Founder of CyberSource, former COO of mcAfee; entrepreneur and businessman; major charitable force for cancer research, global economic issues and educational organizations.

mr. Thomas J. O’Hara III ’69 Founder of the nationally renowned Xavier Rugby program, former teacher; unparalleled alumni sports correspondent.

distributed aid to New Orleans residents while assisting in boat rescues. LCPL Glover had incredible respect for those around him, particularly his Xavier classmates and Rockaway friends. He died during a fire fight in Fallujah, Iraq, in August 2006.

“In the short time he was with us he affected so many of the people who knew him with his work ethic, his friendship and, ultimately, his sacrifice. Mike’s life is an amazing story that shines as an example for all Sons of Xavier to embody,” said Adam Lynch ’97.

Sharing His Hard-Won SuccessRoger T. Kirwan ’60 has turned a successful career in the savings and loan industry into several decades of major philanthropic support for numerous religious, cultural and educational institutions. Mr. Kirwan founded Ganis Credit Corporation in 1980 and eventually employed more than 130 people, and booking $900 million on loans annually before he sold the corporation to Bank of Boston. In 2003, he founded Woodside Credit Corporation and continues to serve as its chairman and CEO. At Xavier, his leadership in the form of a major challenge gift enabled the Class of 1960 to contribute the largest single reunion gift on record. More than $200,000 was given to benefit scholarship endowment at Xavier, perpetually assisting the school’s financial aid program. He and his late wife, Gail, were recognized by the Diocese of Orange in California for their leadership

efforts to save inner-city Catholic grammar schools. They were also recognized by the Southern California branch of National Philanthropy Day as Orange County Philanthropists of the Year in 2001. Mr. Kirwan was a dedicated chairman of Boys Hope Girls Hope of California and was named Volunteer of the Year by the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Hoag Hospital Foundation.

“We have been enormously blessed to have Roger as our most ardent supporter, helping launch our scholars toward a successful career and fulfilling life,” said Rev. Paul Sheridan, S.J., president of Bellarmine College Preparatory. “He possesses tremendous joy and passion for helping those in great need.”

Pioneer on 16th StreetAs a longtime teacher, Grace Lamour served as a role model of courage and compassion for generations of Xavier science students. Putting a promising career in cardiology on hold, she relocated several times while raising her young children and was eventually hired as the first female faculty member at Xavier in the fall of 1969.

A pioneer on 16th Street, she faced adversity and occasional discrimination with steadfast determination, finding key allies among the Xavier staff and handling the groundbreaking transition with great poise.

Her care and concern for students was palpable and she developed powerful, long-lasting friendships with alumni and members of the Xavier faculty. Mrs. Lamour

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went on to serve as chair of the science department for 16 years and implemented a number of clubs and organizations at Xavier including the Medical Science Club, the Science Journal and the New York State Science Honor Society while serving on the school’s Board of Governors.

Mrs. Lamour retired in 2007 after 38 years of service to Xavier. She died July 3, 2012 after a long battle with cancer.

“Grace Lamour was generous with her seemingly unending time and extensive knowledge,” said Alan Antaki ’87. “She would help and encourage all who seeked her assistance. She enjoyed the internal pleasures that selfless people benefit from. As a true ‘Woman for Others,’ her reward was seeing others overcome challenges that she helped them with.”

Wisdom and Grace Under Adversity Rev. John McDonald, S.J. ’45 was well known for his administrative skill and his warm and compassionate demeanor. As Xavier headmaster from 1962-1969, he wisely guided the school through a crucial and tumultuous period, providing for the fundraising, design and construction of a new building on 16th Street. Following his tenure at Xavier, Fr. McDonald went on to stabilize the finances of McQuaid Jesuit High School as rector/president and helped to drastically reduce the school’s debt during what seemed to be a downward spiral, establishing the first board of directors. Through the 1980s and 90s, he held several prominent positions within the New York Province in Rochester and New York City. In 1998, at the age of 70, Fr. McDonald took on the emotionally difficult position of superior at Murray-Weigel Hall, the Jesuit infirmary at Fordham University, where he ministered to his aging, ill and dying Jesuit brothers with his customary skill and grace until 2004.

“You felt like you were close to God when you were around him,” said Rich Battaglino ’67. “He was a real priest’s priest and left an indelible impression on those around him.” Fr. McDonald died in 2011 after 66 years with the Society of Jesus. Internet Innovator William McKiernan ’74 is the founder of CyberSource, a secure online payment solution company that processes digital transactions for corporate clients and offers complete back-end services for web merchants. In 2010, before the company was acquired by VISA, it was estimated that CyberSource handled approximately 25

percent of e-commerce transactions on the Web. Mr. McKiernan generously contributes his leadership skills to worthy organizations. He has served as a trustee and advisor to Boston College, Bellarmine College Preparatory School and Harvard Business School. In addition, he has committed both time and funding in service of the Multiple Myeloma Research Company and the American Ireland Fund, which honored him with a Distinguished Leadership Award in 2011.

Kevin McLaughlin ’74 reminds us, “Bill has earned what he has; no one gave him anything. He’s extremely loyal to his friends and the institutions which have formed him, and he is a great family man.” He and his wife, Betsy, recently celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary. The couple is blessed with two sets of twins — Emily is a freshman at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Will is a freshman at Boston College. Maureen is a sophomore at St. Francis High School in Mountainview, Calif., and Scott attends Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose.

‘The Epitome of a Xavier man’ The son of a 1943 alumnus, Tom O’ Hara ’69 is also a pioneer at Xavier, having brought the sport of rugby to 16th Street in 1976, after first playing on a team at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Mr. O’Hara has served Xavier as an athlete, coach, faculty member and alumni booster. Like a devoted parent, his love and support of football and rugby at Xavier has evolved over decades. These sports have grown considerably and have received numerous accolades, including four national rugby titles.

As the mouthpiece of Xavier rugby and football, Mr. O’Hara has worked tirelessly to send news from those sports to thousands of digital followers through his one-of-a-kind e-newsletter, which consistently conveys his deep understanding of both teams and their connection to generations of graduates.

Xavier’s national reputation and athletic identity have been enhanced by Mr. O’Hara’s commentary and outreach efforts. He has served the school with unfaltering humility while seeking no personal gain.

“The spirit of guts and determination has helped turn Tom into the person he is today,” said friend and classmate Rudy Cecchi ’69. “He is the epitome of a Xavier Man. The Rugby Program that he founded in 1976 has brought national recognition to the school, and his constant e-mails are a reminder to us all of his deep love for our school.”

Mr. O’Hara is the proud father of Ciaran ’04 and Liam ’06.

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Advancing XavIER

Persistence Pays

Class Chairmen help Xavier Alumni reconnect

t’s no secret that Xavier alumni have a special bond with their alma mater. That bond leads some to become class chairmen. For Gerald D. Slattery Jr. ’65, however, the catalyst for becoming one of Xavier’s most productive

fundraisers was frustration. It happened a number of years ago during the Phonathon for the Annual Fund.

“I couldn’t reach the guys on the West Coast. They shut me off at 9 o’clock at night,” he recalled. That prompted Mr. Slattery to request official records so he could continue calling alums at home. “Only if you’re willing to take on the class chairman assignment,” was the response. “That’s when I became class chairman,” Mr. Slattery explained.

Class chairmen play a central role in alumni relations, helping graduates get back in touch with their Xavier roots. Each year, they are asked to contact classmates and encourage participation in the Annual Fund and major events like the Hall of Fame Dinner and Beefsteak Dinner. The persistence and dedication of a core group of class chairmen has proven critical to sustaining the Xavier mission.

For Gerald M. Knapp ’59, a class chairman since the inception of the Annual Fund in 1982, the Phonathon has become far more than a fundraiser. “We’re calling first to say ‘hello’ to our classmates, to hear their problems and their successes,” he said. “We ask them about friends they’ve lost track of, and then we help them locate them.”

“You have conversations with people you haven’t talked to in 20 years,” said Joseph J. Buongiorno ’75. “You rekindle memories. You catch up on families and children. It’s about reconnecting with the school we had such a great experience with.”

James E. Tweedy, P.E. ’48 P’70, ’71, ’74, ’78, ’82 has worked many, many Phonathons.

“I appeal to their pride, challenging them. ‘We can be the highest class, the class with the greatest percentage of participation.’ That gives them an incentive to donate.” Mr. Tweedy’s love and enthusiasm for Xavier is highly infectious. At 60 percent the Class of 1948 has one of the highest rates of annual giving, ranking second among classes with fewer than 150 members. James’ sons, Edwin S. Tweedy ’70 and Timothy T. Tweedy, P.E. ’82 P’15 are regular Phonathon volunteers, too.

I

From top, left to right: class chairmen Gerry Knapp ’59, Jim Tweedy ’48 P’70, ’71, ’74, ’78, ’82 with Timothy T. Tweedy, P.e. ’82 P’15 and ed Tweedy ’70 manning the phones, Jim Gildea ’70, Dino J. DelGaudio, Ph.D. ’70 and Gerald D. Slattery Jr. ’65.

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While the telephone has long been a dependable fundraising tool, it was only recently that class chairmen harnessed the power of the Internet. Robert H. Maguire ’73 P’10 was impressed with the reach and impact of the XHS ’73 Facebook page. “At this point, we’ve got more than 60 members,” he said. “It allows classmates to stay connected to Xavier year-round, not just during the Phonathon.” Facebook also helps promote special events, like the Class of ’73 Annual Day After Thanksgiving Reunion.

“Bruce Caufield ’73, one of the owners of Tracks Raw Bar & Grill in Penn Station, hosts the event,” explained Mr. Maguire. “It’s really energizing. It gives us a chance to single out and honor classmates for what they have done, and are still doing, for Xavier. It generated so much interest that alumni from other years wanted to be part of it too, so we expanded it to include grads from 1972 and 1974 as well.”

Class chairman James P. Gildea ’70 believes building relationships with former classmates is central to the

success of alumni fundraising activities. It’s a process that can take years. “I find they get used to me calling every year for the last 20 years,” he reported. “If it’s not me, it’s usually one of our core group: Dino J. DelGaudio, Ph.D. ’70, William F. Presky ’70 or Edwin S. Tweedy ’70. They get the same voices every year, so they’re at ease. We pick up where we left off the last time.”

It’s been a successful strategy. Last year the Class of ’70 led all classes in donations.

Successful class chairs are also team builders. “You can’t do it by yourself,” advised Mr. Buongiorno “I have a couple of good buddies I recruited to help me with the Phonathon. You only know so many people in your class, so the wider you can cast the net with friends who can help you make calls, the better the chance of your success.”

Mr. Knapp recalled, “I had a wonderful crew of people over the years. They have a great sense of humor and they enjoy seeing each other. It is like a little mini-reunion. Some of us live in Jersey, some in Long

Island.” The cohesiveness of this group of volunteers has produced exceptional results. The Class of ’59 has a participation rate of 54 percent, the highest among classes with 150 members or more.

At times, though, technology poses a challenge. Class chairs often find themselves talking to answering machines. But the odds of getting former classmates to pick up the phone improve if they know who is calling. For Mr. Gildea, that means going beyond the Phonathon. “I talk to them at reunions, beefsteaks and other events. I always make sure to say ‘hello,’ put a face with the name,” he said.

Of course, it isn’t always easy. Just ask Mr. Slattery. “If guys say ‘no,’ it doesn’t bother me. Because I know in my heart of hearts what they’re saying is ‘not yet,’” he explained. “The fact that they’re willing to pick up the phone tells you they want to stay connected in some way to the school.”

“Just as in business, successful class chairs know how to ‘close the deal,’” according to Mark A.

Mongelluzzo, Esq., director of annual and planned giving. “The persistence of these class chairmen and their teams has had a real impact on the Annual Fund. Class participation rates are trending up, thanks in large part to their hard work,” he observed.

Maybe the secret of being a successful class chairman is to approach the whole process as fun. That’s what Jim Tweedy does. “I look forward to talking to my classmates. And I get more out of it every year than I give. I enjoy what a good bunch of guys they really are,” he said.

Mr. Slattery concurred. “I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I’ve had with this. And I’ve had good success. I credit my classmates with putting up with me and listening to what I’ve been asking of them.” For this alum, raising money to sustain the Xavier mission has been quite gratifying. “I’m a firm believer that if you’ve got a good story to tell, you’ve got to tell it,” he added. “And Xavier’s got a great story.”

“I look forward to talking to my classmates. and I get more out of it every year than I give. I enjoy what a good bunch of guys they really are.”

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maroon aND bluE

hen baseball players head south, it’s usually to Florida for

Spring Training. Three former athletes from a Jesuit high school in Upstate New York took a much shorter journey south for baseball — to New York City, to coach at Xavier High School.

Dennis Baker, S.J., Benjamin Hamm and Luciano Lovallo, freshman and junior varsity baseball coaches at Xavier, were all baseball

players at Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y. The former Crusaders are now using baseball as an interdisciplinary tool, teaching young Knights a game ingrained with Jesuit values.

According to Mr. Baker, a 1998 Canisius graduate and Xavier freshman baseball coach, participating in high school athletics has a powerful impact on the minds of young men.

“The baseball field is a place they want to be,” he said. “They’re excited

for it, much more than for their Global Studies homework. They do it because they want to be there and not because someone’s making them.”

Mr. Baker went on to say that baseball at Xavier also mirrors life. “It’s a great environment to teach a lot of the things we talk about in a Jesuit education,” he added. “It’s a great environment for that to come into focus for them.”

Hamm, a 1999 Canisius grad and the first of the three to start coaching at Xavier, saw his time on the field

w

More than a gamemembers of Knights baseball learn to seize the day on the Xavier diamond

Xavier baseball coaches (L to R): Dennis Baker, S.J., Lou Lovallo and Ben Hamm on 16th Street today.

XAvieR MAGAziNe 27.

More than a game as a life-changing educational experience. “It was instilled in us that to be a successful ball player, you needed to take care of the small things,” he said. “We all learned how to play the Canisius High School way, which was playing with school pride and making sure that you win graciously and you lose graciously. This is how I’ve continued to approach the challenging moments of my life.”

Lovallo, a 1995 Canisius grad, credits Mr. Baker for inviting him to join Xavier’s coaching ranks. As an administrator and dean of academics, Mr. Lovallo relishes the opportunity to connect with more students.

“[Coaching] is a great chance to get out of the confines of my office, so to speak, and to really get to know some other members of the student population,” he said.

The coaches have long since hung up their high school cleats, but they want their players to value the four years they have to play. “We constantly catch ourselves saying to each other, ‘I wish I could play today,’” said Mr. Lovallo. “We want to make sure that they know there’s a limited amount of time they can wear those uniforms. They have to seize each moment, each game and each practice.”

Xavier second baseman Joe Shashaty ’14 has experienced this passion for the game on the freshman and junior varsity levels. “It’s like a professional sequence,” he said. “Freshman year, Mr. Baker laid the foundation and taught us the fundamentals, and JV has allowed us

to practice these skills to prepare for the future.”

Although they did not play together at Canisius, the experiences of the three coaches were very similar. “It was very competitive,” said Mr. Lovallo. “But there was a great camaraderie that took place between seniors and underclassmen. That’s how I got to know Dennis and even Ben a little bit.”

“The older players took care of the younger guys, welcomed them to the program and showed them the ropes,” Mr. Baker added. “It’s been great to reconnect with those guys. That sense of reconnection has been very interesting.”

James Cappabianca ’05 is the only freshman and junior varsity coach who did not graduate from Canisius. He was, however, a Xavier athlete and a center fielder under Hamm, and after working with his former coaches, the alumnus has experienced their unique coaching styles from both sides of the fence.

“Coming in as a new coach and working with coaches who really know what they’re doing and have a lot of experience has been great,” Mr. Cappabianca said. “They have similar mindsets about the game. A lot of times it’s hard to find coaches who share a common coaching mentality.”

The former Xavier ballplayer said that this mutual understanding between the freshman and junior varsity coaches better prepares student-athletes for the next level. “What they focus on is a lot of teaching of the fundamentals and

basics the right way,” he said. “That means not only learning how to bunt, hit and run, but also how to be a great teammate. I think it’s a Jesuit thing they’ve brought from Buffalo to Xavier fields. And it’s great to learn from them.”

It appears as though current Xavier players are inheriting the camaraderie shared by their coaches. “This season gave us a greater sense of community out on the diamond,” said Shashaty. “We encountered injuries and adversity, but we rallied to come in second in the division. By teaching this Jesuit ideal, the coaches put us in a position to win and bond as a family.”

“It’s a great environment to teach a lot of the things we talk about in a Jesuit education.”

From top: Ben Hamm, Dennis Baker, S.J., and Lou Lovallo during their years on the diamond at Canisius High School.

28. XAvieR MAGAziNe

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(Left): Seamus Kelly, Mike Petri ’02, Mike Fox ’82, Mike Tolkin ’85 in Kingston, Ont. with the USA eagles in June. (Below): Xavier president Jack Raslowsky and headmaster Mike Livigni congratulate Coach Tolkin in February.

Former Xavier student, athlete and coach mike Tolkin ’85 discusses his transition to the national stage as head coach of the USA Eagles Rugby team.

a winning attitude

How have you adjusted to coaching the national team?it has been great. i had three years as an assistant, so i have international experience and, of course, my many years at Xavier and NYAC gave me plenty of coaching experience. i think that our National Team can do many great things and i certainly have a vision of where i see the team and program going. i still live in NYC and travel a lot for games, tours and scouting. The coaching is all over the U.S. and the world!

is it just like old times, with Mike Petri ’02 on the field as scrum-half?i wouldn’t say it is like old times with Mike as there are some pretty high stakes, but i suppose it is all in context — the Xavier games were the most important things for us then

and now the pressure and scope is greater. it’s still special, however, to see Mike playing at such a great level, and i’m thrilled to be part of that and the eagles.

what is most exciting about this opportunity?i’m really excited to help guide the U.S. to play exciting and winning rugby. There is some great talent and athleticism here, along with experience and youthful energy. These guys want to win and enjoy playing and i hope i can foster that environment and find the best players America has. Our goal for this year is to have a winning record in our test matches in June and November to create a winning attitude among our players, and to promote a positive and aggressive style of rugby that fans and players can enjoy.

News that Mike tolkin ’85, Xavier’s legendary Rugby coach, was named head coach of the USA eagles men’s national team, spread like wildfire across the country and overseas after the announcement on Feb. 16. Tolkin’s leadership helped earn Xavier three national rugby titles and numerous accolades over the last 25-plus years.

in an article published in the New York Post, President Jack Raslowsky said, “i’m thrilled for Mike; this is the pinnacle of his rugby coaching career. He’s reached the mountain top and i think he’s gonna do great things for the national team. We’re thrilled for him, we’re thrilled for Xavier. it’s another Son of Xavier who’s achieved outstanding success in his chosen field. We’re really proud of that.”

Xavier Magazine recently caught up with Mr. Tolkin to ask him about his new role coaching at the national level.

XAvieR MAGAziNe 29.

a winning attitude SettiNG tHe StaNDarD

Coach Pat Dormer with Dmitri zuccarello ’12 at Xavier’s Block-X Awards.

First All-AmericanThe Knights outdoor track and field team set the pace for years to come as top-performing seniors delivered record-breaking performances.

After placing sixth in the 400m hurdles at the New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, N.C., Edward Wagner ’12 became the first outdoor All-American in Xavier High School history. Wagner will soon be jogging the streets of Hanover, N.H., when he begins his studies at Dartmouth College in the fall.

“The season was a tremendous success and a testament to all of their hard work,” said Patrick Dormer, Xavier track and cross country coach. “The seniors were a great group of leaders. They actually made my job a lot easier.”

Wagner, Dom DeNiro ’12 and Dmitri Zuccarello ’12 each earned two gold medals at the New York Catholic High School Athletic Association (NYCHSAA) Sectionals. Next year, DeNiro will bring his talents to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., and Zuccarello to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

baseball Subhead

Young Squad Shows PromiseThe varsity baseball team had a 13-12 record (8–8 league record), finishing third in the division. The team lost to Cardinal Spellman in the playoffs after a heartbreaking game that ended the season.

Xavier’s squad was led by Nick DiLeo ’12 on the mound, field and plate. DiLeo will be joining St. John’s University next year as a left-handed pitcher. The offensive work of right fielder Cody Mangano ’13 also helped make the season an exciting one. Xavier’s is a young team — complete with two sophomores — and next year’s action on the diamond looks to be led by Mangano and Tito Oville ’13.

Junior varsity finished 12–5, second place in the division. The team has a deep pitching staff and had many comeback wins, but lost to Salesian High School in the playoffs. The freshman team finished 9–4, with excellent batting that, overall, averaged close to .300. The team also traveled to Cooperstown, N.Y., for an exhibition game on Doubleday Field against Canisius High School.

Post’s Top PlayersVarsity basketball had an exciting run in the playoffs, beating Cardinal Spellman 53–43 in the quarter-finals before falling to St. Edmund’s. Senior Matt Crockett ’12 was named top non-AA boys basketball player by the New York Post, also earning the title 1st team All-Manhattan and being recognized as a top-50 player in New York State by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York. Brendan Ferguson ’12 was named 3rd team.

Freshman basketball (15–7) was named A-division City Champions after a great season. The season MVP was Ryan Kennedy ’15.

The freshman team in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Xavier upperclassmen receive honors for historic and record-setting feats.

30. XAvieR MAGAziNe

2.

On Thursday, March 8, more than 340 parents, alumni, faculty and friends gathered at the Tribeca Rooftop to raise funds for financial aid at Xavier. The Gala featured live and silent auctions, jazz tunes from the Blue Night Band and the debut of “My Xavier,” a special video production by Erbach Communications Group featuring a wide range of students, faculty members, parents and alumni speaking about the parts of Xavier that they hold closest to their hearts. Maroon and Blue Sponsors Kathleen and Daniel Denihan ’65 and

Francis X. Tirelli ’70 helped to spearhead the event. Auction items included trips to Bermuda and Puerto

Rico, Behind the Scenes at March Madness at CBS, dinner at the 21 Club, and Legends seats for the Subway Series at Yankee Stadium. Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J., ’51, Alumni Chaplain, announced our two tuition raffle winners, both current Xavier parents! Xavier is proud to announce that this inaugural event raised $105,000 for student scholarships thanks to our generous supporters!

Gala raiSeS $105,000 FOr FiNaNCial aiD

1. Mike Ford ’63 with Gerald Fitzgerald ’58. 2. Collen Thorburn, Rob Thorburn ’93, Mike Noone ’82, Jennifer Jacobson and Tom Weatherall ’82. 3. Bob Haskins ’77 and his wife, Kim Haskins, with John vorvolakos and his wife, Theresa vorvolakos. 4. Ryan McTiernan ’07, John Burke ’07, John Burke ’84, elizabeth Burke, Margaret Burke, with Alice and John Burke P’84, ’87, ’91, ’94. 5. Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51 6. irma and Dan Rodriguez ’58 7. Ken Sidlowski ’71 and Rev. Jim Keenan, S.J.

Celebrate Xavier gala

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Sons of Xavier

XAvieR MAGAziNe 31.

Class NOTES

1934Dom barilla and his wife, Ann, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20, 2011. Dom turned 96 on January 29, 2012.

1938Jack Caffrey and Harold White, two of the Terrors of ’38, have mellowed. They are duplicate partners in Vero Beach, Fla.

1942John maloney celebrated his 39th anniversary as a deacon for the New York Archdiocese, serving as chaplain for the Nanuet Fire Department. He is still writing a humor column for the local paper and wrote and directed the Clarkstown Senior Show.

1943Phil lally is still working as an engineer two days a week.

1944John O’Connor writes that he remembers that on December 7, 1941, as freshmen they had the Winter Review at the 69th Regiment Armory. His family was associated with the 69th Regiment in World War I and II. His mother’s brothers were killed while serving, and he retired from the 69th Regiment in 1946 as a Captain.

1946Daniel mcnulty is retired in Bloomfield Heights, Mich. After his first wife, with whom he had eight children, died in 1998, he married Patricia Zidar who has nine children. Together they have 60 grandchildren.

1947Joe Farrell celebrated 60 years of marriage with his wonderful wife Joan.

1948John Wolfteich sent a gift in honor of Rev. William T. Manning, S.J., who introduced his students to the Metropolitan Opera — a legacy, he says, that continues to enrich his life.

Paul Connelly went to his 60th reunion at Holy Cross College.

1949Robert Krieg and his wife have moved permanently to Mount Pleasant, S.C., after snowbirding for several years.

1950 Allan Ahearne is enjoying life in Cooperstown, N.Y., with his grandchildren from Freeport, Maine, and Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Hank lavery and his spouse, Edna, celebrated 55 years of marriage in July, 2011 and welcomed their 12th grandchild in February 2012.

1952bill millon just became exemplified in the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus — Assembly 2280. He regrets he could not attend the 60th reunion and says hello to his classmates.

1953Ken Zask attended the November 2011 reception in San Francisco, with Hank miller and Stan Fitzgerald.

1954vern lowery has relocated from Arizona to New York as Vice President of Spartan Product Development, LLC. He says he will never retire.

1955John Gallagher was elected Board President of the Police Reserves of Suffolk, Inc., an organization of business leaders in support of law enforcement agencies.

1956Virginia and John Crane of Ridgewood, N.J. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last summer with family members (including five grandchildren) and friends. John retired from Hertz Corporation in 2004 and has been a member of the Ridgewood Hobbyist Group. He joined his twin brother, lawrence, in celebrating their 50th reunion at Fairfield University in 2010.

1957Alberto del Rosario, former Philippine ambassador to the United States and now Philippine Foreign Minister, is conducting negotiations with China over their maritime dispute.

1959Albert Rosa recently edited the Electric Circuits Text (7th edition), published by John Wiley and Son, 2012. He and his wife, Kathleen, recently visited Israel and celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Daniel Gatti, S.J., officiated at the wedding of Jared marinos ’00 and Megan Hubbard, at the Catholic Chapel at West Point on May 5, 2012.

Tom Harrison was recently elected to his fifth term on the Avon, Conn., Board of Finance, the town’s budget-making body.

mike Toner won the U.S. Masters Swimming National 5K swimming championship for his age group. This is the second time he has won the Open Water Championship and as a result he has become a two-time All-American.

1960Jim malone is working with inner-city students in Rochester and Buffalo public schools to support their career and college planning.

1963Ernest DeWald, D.D.S., was recently named Colonel, Aide de Camp, Governor’s Staff by the state of Tennessee. That title is noted as the highest honor a state can bestow upon a citizen. Dr. DeWald was recognized for his work with the forensic moratorium team after the World Trade Center attacks and his response following Hurricane Katrina, when he served more than 700 hours with the Good Samaritan Ministries Dental Clinic.

1964victor laSala has a new address: 3555 E. Chama Road, Glendale, Ariz. 85310.

vincent lee has retired from his second career as Professor of Business Analytics at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, and is now looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren and his model railroad.

1965michael Abbene has retired, but is still actively engaged as an adjunct instructor at the Cook School of Business, St. Louis University, and at the Sever Continuing Studies Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. These are in addition to his involvement on the Board of the Saint Louis Zoo Association.

1966Gary Horan was selected in the Top Fifty Powerful People in New Jersey Health Care. He was also selected “Man of the Year” by the New Jersey Irish Business Association.

Sons of XavIER

1. The Class of 1962 celebrating 50 years since their Xavier graduation at the Union League Club, May 4. 2. Thomas Healey ’72 with Brian Moroney. 3. Al Roker ’72 and Deborah Roberts with Jack Raslowsky. 4. Members of the Class of 1962 who commuted from Jackson Heights, Queens,during their time at Xavier sat together at the Xavier Reunion Gala. 5. John Darts ’62 and his wife, Jean, with Francis Lynch ’62 and wife, Anne. 6. Luis del Rosario ’52, Alberto del Rosario ’57 and eduardo del Rosario ’62. 7. The Class of 2007 celebrated their 5th Reunion at Rogue Bar on 6th Avenue, May 4, 2012. 8. Charles Dupont ’72, Rev. Kenneth Boller, S.J., Al Roker ’72, Franklin Caesar, ed.D., John vanore ’72 and Richard Moylan ’72. 9. The Class of 1962 gathered in the Jesuit Library prior to the reunion dinner. 10. The Class of 2002 in the Xavier Commons.

Reunion 2012

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XAvieR MAGAziNe 33.

1969After 35 years of service with the Department of Defense, Ray O’Connor retired in January 2012 and has moved to rural Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Terry and Will Yozaites welcomed their first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl, Madison Grace, in December 2011. Their daughter, Marissa, and her husband, Kevin McLean, are the parents.

1970vincent Spampinato has moved back to the North Fork of Long Island, N.Y. and will marry Eileen Becker on October 27, 2012.

1971Stephen Anderson is looking forward to enjoying the sun while savoring the efforts of the ponies at Belmont; after all, Drosslemeyer contributed greatly to the Annual Fund this year.

1972Timothy murdock was present at the recent grand opening of the C&W Shooting, the first public gun range in Colleton County, S.C.

1973 victor vallo, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Department of Music at Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, Ga., where he is also the conductor of the Oconee Regional Symphony Orchestra.

Joel Allegretti’s new collection of poetry, Europa/Nippon/New York: Poems/Not-Poems (Poets Wear Prada), is now available. He writes, “It’s in four sections, one each on France, Italy, Japan and New York. I cover, among other subjects, Edith Piaf, Jules Verne, Fellini, Godzilla, the Riddler, Edie Sedgwick and an individual of my own invention I call the Wolf Man of St. Mark’s Place.”

1974larry Stanton is with Environmental Protection Agency as Director of the Office of Emergency Management.

1975James Carney has been named Managing Director for Global Date Center Planning for CitiGroup Technology.

mike O’Keefe started as Assistant Director of Emergency Medicine Research at the University of Vermont.

1976Kevin O’Keefe retired from the NYPD and the Nassau County Police Department in September 2010. He is now spending more time with family and friends.

1977For Anthony Sarro, Medical Practice Innovations, Medical Billing and EMR Systems are still going strong. His children are now 8 and 10.

Phil Kolb has started a new assignment in Singapore continuing to work at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch as a Managing Director/Head of International Operations and Client Services.

1980Joseph mastrota was promoted to Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and is now retired. Currently he is a Veterans Affairs Police Officer, NYPD.

mike barbieri is now the executive director of the Downtown Giants Youth Football Program.

Jim menendez writes, “My daughter, Caroline, finished her first year at Saint Joseph’s University and was on the Dean’s List for the fall and spring semesters. She’s a member of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity and, over the course of the last year, volunteered in Philadelphia and in El Paso, Texas.”

1981Philip lynch met the President of Ireland on April 30, 2012, in New York City.

1983Gary Keating is currently a senior partner at Environmental Resources Management, a global environmental consulting firm. He is married with two daughters who are away at college.

1984Tony Fable just adopted his third little boy, Anthony Fable IV, who was born on Thanksgiving Day 2011.

1986Rob Suarez underwent back surgery to repair discs injured in combat and has been recovering since December 2011.

1987Edward O’Callaghan became a partner in the White Collar Defense Practice Group at Clifford Chance, N.Y., in November 2011.

1990lTC Doug levien has been assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Strategic Plans and Policy, Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination Cell at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

1992Robert Scally is engaged to Mary Gambino. The wedding is planned for August, 2012. Robert just completed 10 years with the New York Fire Department.

Kevin vulin accepted the position of Manager of Financial Reporting at Atlas Energy, LP, in October 2011.

1993michael buckley was promoted in August 2010 to Supervisory Special Agent, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York.

1997burt Gregory Onza has moved to San Francisco and works at Arnold Porter LLP as a Securities Litigation Legal Assistant Manager.

Andrew Gorski is living in Billerica, Mass., with his wife, Melissa. They are raising their triplets, Caroline, Sabrina and Max.

1998David lavalle and George Joost, Jr., served as groomsmen for the marriage of their classmate, John mcmahon, to Jennifer Dolny on November 5, 2011.

Joseph minucci was transferred to the Las Vegas Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security last March as the Head Firearms Instructor. He welcomed his first child, Mia Chiara, a daughter, in April.

2000 Richard Scarponi recently started a creative marketing company, working in print, web and other forms of media. “I do everything from creative consulting and freelance work to major design and advertising,” he said. “I’ve been doing design work now for over 10 years and have worked on many major brands, so it was a great time to branch out on my own.” Richie recently finished a project for Ralph’s Italian Restaurant in South Philadelphia, and is currently seeking new clients.

Class NOTES

34. XAvieR MAGAziNe

He also spends time hiking all around the country and volunteering for several trail associations. Pictured below is Richie with a 1000-year-old redwood that stands beside the Skyline to Sea trail in northern California. He can be reached at richard_scarponi@hotmail.com.

2002 Ryan Galligan, D.D.S., has recently joined his father’s dental practice. His father, T.J., also graduated from Xavier, class of ’73.

2003Eugene Gibilaro passed the NYS Bar Exam and is working with Ernst and Young.

2004Ryan Doherty was recently serving in Germany as Rear Detachment Commander to the 527th Military Police Company in Hohenfels, Germany. Last May he began a career in civil affairs at Fort Bragg, N.C.

matthew Salber has been named a Presidential Management Fellow for a two-year period and is now employed in Washington, D.C., by the Department of Homeland Security.

2005RJ Peterson is now marketing coordinator at Polo-Ralph Lauren in New York City.

Jacob Fountain, after his return from service in Afghanistan, finished a master’s in history and will complete a bachelor’s in nursing at the Citadel. He competed in the Hilton Head Triathlon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society last May.

2006John Fagan completed his second year at Fordham Law School.

2007Christopher Goetz has joined PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Structured Products Group in the Banking and Capital Markets division as an associate.

nick Hendra is an intern at Banco Espiritu Santo in New York City and is playing basketball in the Reebok Club Rec League.

2010matthew Kopp is in his sophomore year at Georgetown University. He declared an English major and classical studies as his minor. He sends greetings to his follow Thespians.

James leonardi is attending Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, a 7-year B.S./M.D. integrated program located on the campus of The City College of New York (CUNY). James writes, “As part of my healthcare training, I will be in a clerkship at Gouverneur Hospital. My responsibilities will include serving as a liaison between social healthcare workers and patients.”

Robbie maguire played in the NCAA Division I Regionals, in North Carolina. His Sacred Heart University baseball team repeated as North East Conference Champions. This was the first repeat in the NEC in more than 10 years.

Joe Fusaro recently completed a back-breaking culinary journey and graduated from the associate’s program at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). On June 18, he entered the bachelor’s program and plans to graduate from the CIA in September of 2013.

Robert bruns was placed on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2011 semester at the State University of New York College at Cortland.

2011Ken Jean baptiste finished his first year at Princeton University. He spent six weeks this summer at a seminar at the University of Tokyo titled “Hope as the New Normal: Tokyo after Disaster.” The course studied the political and social effects of the March 2011 Japan earthquake.

Daniel Haber will begin his sophomore year at the University of North Carolina. This summer he worked as an intern at Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management office.

2012Chris Chavez finished his first year at Marquette University as a journalism major. A video he made at Xavier announcing his college choice was

recently featured as part of his class’s journalism final. He has also teamed up with matt Filippi to start stirringstraw.com, a Yankees news and analysis website.

Sons of XavIER

birthsJack Benno Vulin to Kevin vulin ’92 and Heather on December 7, 2010.

Michael William Berger to John berger ’85 and Katherine on October 13, 2011.

Kaitlyn Dolan to Greg Dolan ’89 and Maureen on August 13, 2011.

Emma Hazel Duffy to Owen Duffy ’88 and Nina on March 13, 2012.

EngagementsJason Christopher ’02 announces his engagement to Jennifer Murdoch. Wedding to be in late 2012.

marriagesJohn mcmahon ’98, to Jennifer Dolny on November 5, 2010.

Jacob Fountain ’05 to Jade Lawson in Charleston, S.C., May 27, 2012.

Capt. Jared marinos ’00 to Meghan Hubbard at Most Holy Trinity R.C. Chapel at West Point on May 5, 2012.

bruce Romanello ’81 to Jeannine Viola on June 23, 2012.

In Memoriam Alumnimr. James J. mcmanamy ’26 7/14/11mr. John v. mcGrorey ’36 2/20/12mr. Thomas J. mcGuire ’38 3/6/12Rev. Thomas F. Walsh, S.J. ’39 3/26/12mr. James J. Audino ’40 3/23/12mr. Joseph G. nemeth ’41 1/1/12mr. Frank J. vitale ’41 2/5/12Dr. Robert J. Walsh ’41 7/4/12mr. John J. Albanese ’43 3/15/12mr. Thomas J. barden ’44 1/4/12mr. John J. Smith ’44 4/21/12mr. John J. Hopkins ’45 5/9/12mr. Robert A. Fritz ’46 3/28/12mr. John J. Heintz ’46 4/16/12mr. Alan P. Keyes ’46 2/18/12mr. Charles P. moore ’47 9/4/11

Mileposts

XAvieR MAGAziNe 35.

Class NOTES

Charles W. muller, Esq. ’47 P’77 ’81 3/24/12

mr. Joseph Tutundgy ’47 7/26/11Dr. Walter m. Yannett ’47 11/27/11Frederick R. Schumacher ’48 5/29/10Rev. vincent E. butler, S.J. ’49 2/8/12mr. Thomas F. mcGarey, Jr. ’49

10/19/05mr. brendan G. Rafferty ’49 2/3/12Dr. John E. Donnelly, Jr. ’50 2/20/12Donald F. moore, Esq. ’50 1/10/12COl (Ret) John J. murphy, Jr. ’50

3/10/12mr. Ronald C. Clines ’51 12/29/07Peter Eckerson, D.D.S. ’51 12/3/11mr. Francis J. Petriccione ’51 1/8/12mr. Willis J. Reilly ’51 9/19/11mr. J. James bambury ’52 1/20/12

mr. Raymond P. Camano ’52 11/15/11

Rev. Walter D. Cron ’52 7/4/10mr. John A. manicone ’52 2/16/12mr. James P. mcQuade ’52 8/23/11mr. Thomas F. Shea ’53 3/25/12mr. Joseph A. von Zwehl ’53 1/28/12mr. Denis J. Sullivan, Jr. ’54 6/5/11mr. Gerard A. merola ’55 12/10/11mr. John J. Slattery ’55 9/19/11mr. Daniel H. Wilson ’55 10/2/09COl (Ret) William J. Dobson, Jr. ’56

10/14/11Casimir C. Patrick II, Esq. ’56 6/13/12Dr. Richard S. Podgorski ’57 6/15/12mr. vincent J. Zullo ’57 10/7/11mr. Frank m. Kubelka ’58 11/2/10mr. James J. Tallent ’58 2/7/12

mr. Francis W. Chiarella ’62 11/2/10mr. Richard J Jurges ’62 12/1/86mr. Edward J. Keenan, Jr. ’62 5/1/88mr. michael J. marshall ’62 6/21/11mr. vincent J. mcGuire ’62 6/17/11Dr. Stephen J. O’Hagan ’62 10/17/08Dr. Gerard J. Werckle, Jr. ’62 7/14/07mr. michael P. boyen ’63 3/22/09mr. John J. maher ’63 12/26/09mr. Charles A. Randina, Jr. ’63 5/4/10mr. Robert J. Schron ’63 6/13/12mr. victor Paul Addonizio, Jr. ’65

5/4/10mr. Charles J. Herrmann ’70 1/16/12Eugene J. laurich, Esq. ’71 2/15/12mr. Anthony C. Colon ’78 5/3/12mr. Joseph A. margiotta ’85 1/31/12mr. Joseph T. Unger ’87 2/15/10

Parents

mrs. mary Gyves P’66 ’67 ’69 ’78 ’79 ’83 7/5/12

mrs. Ruth Coyle P’60 ’63 ’64 ’70 4/26/12

mrs. Helen Stack P’70 ’76 8/3/08Thomas A. beckett, Sr. P’77 3/1/12mr. William Orchard P’70 ’71 ’80

12/23/11ms. Grace lamour P’82 7/3/12Dr. Janet Carney P’07 ’08 7/9/12mr. John baroudos P’15 1/25/12

Former Faculty

mSG James A. Jones 3/9/12 mr. Robert E. moroney 1/20/12ms. Grace lamour P’82 7/3/12

REmEmbRAnCESMSG James Jones (USa) ret.March 9, 2012For more than 20 years, James Jones served the Xavier community as a dedicated member of the Military Science department

and moderator of the X-Squad. Prior to his work at Xavier, MSG Jones served in the U.S. Army as a member of the only Airborne Mechanized infantry Unit in the world. As a master sergeant, he would go on to teach at the Army Ranger school for 24 years before coming to Xavier in the fall of 1986. He retired in June 2007.

Following his death last spring, several Xavier alumni remembered the indelible impression MSG Jones left on many of those around him.

“Respect is the first word that comes to mind when I think of MSG Jones. I was never sure what the biggest source for the respect I felt toward him was. Perhaps it was in class; with his stoic and stern demeanor, mixed with his ability to always find the right opening for a punch-line or a joke to make us feel at ease. However, there is one particular memory, which has stayed with me for over a decade, that possibly puts things in perspective:

A certain odd morning early in my JROTC experience, I decided to not shine my shoes. Instead, before the drill, I applied a thin layer of vegetable oil onto their tips. This gave my shoes a fleeting — but astounding — luster.

With my friends (who knew what I was cooking) both stupefied and envious, and all the senior cadets duped, and dishing compliments, I was quite content with the genius of my laziness and decided to continue with the ruse indefinitely. I did so successfully for some time until one eventful morning. That morning, MSG Jones walked casually past my column, but something made him stop. He turned around, looked at my shoes, and slowly made his way towards me. He looked at my shoes again, and then bent down to take a swipe at them with his finger. Rubbing the oil with his thumb and index finger, he looked me straight in the eyes and smirked with the hint of a smile. He then simply continued on his path, walking away both chuckling and shaking his head. To my own surprise, I did not question how he knew, but I questioned and regretted what I did. I have been spit-shining my shoes ever since.

In retrospect, what I remember MSG Jones for: the man who taught me valuable lessons in dignity, composure, and respect, all without ever formally saying a word on the subject.”

– Michael Szczesny ’99

Grace lamour July 3, 2012Long-time Xavier faculty member and 2012 Hall of Fame Honoree Grace Lamour P’82 passed away July 3, after a long and brave battle with cancer.

Mrs. Lamour first began teaching at Xavier in the fall of 1969, and was the first female teacher to join the Xavier faculty full-time, and would be a part of the Science and Technology department for 38 years. Her son, Hank, graduated as a member of Xavier’s Class of 1982, while her daughters Jacqueline and Tiffany also worked on 16th Street, both in the classroom and on the fields as head of Xavier’s cheerleading team.

“Some 70 years ago Grace was given to us as a gift from God, and she had an important role in the lives of many of us, with family, friends and Xavier. She was indeed Grace and grace, so aptly named by her parents, but God did not lose her in giving her to us. She was first and foremost a daughter of God. It colored all she did.

We gather today to give Grace back to God; and, just as God did not lose her in giving her to us, so we do not lose her in giving her back to God. She always will be with us in the same important roles she had in the past with family, friends and Xavier. How could she not be? At times in the future we will come to realize this. Grace will always be grace for us.”

– Rev. Jack Replogle, S.J., ’51, spoken during the funeral Mass for Mrs. Lamour, July 10, 2012.

“God rest your soul, dear friend. We, the women who came after you, thank you for your professionalism and class.”

– Mrs. Jayne Lee P ’92, ’93, former faculty member

Grace Lamour P’82

James Jones

36. XAvieR MAGAziNe

back STORy

Proud Day for Xavier

or Frank Comerford ’73, the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade has always been a part of his life. But it wasn’t until he became a student at Xavier that he crossed the line from just watching the parade to

being a part of it, marching proudly with his classmates up Fifth Avenue. Still, nothing could match the honor he received earlier this year, when he was selected as Grand Marshal of the 251st edition of the Parade.

“I saw so many friends there that day, people from high school, my neighborhood, college. People I worked with. I marched with my friends and family. There were probably 150 cousins, brothers and sisters. It was a huge crowd,” Mr. Comerford said.

Preserving and displaying New York’s Irish heritage has long been a personal priority for the Xavier alumnus. The roots of the parade precede American independence. “They were celebrating things that they weren’t allowed

to celebrate in Ireland anymore,” he said. “Wearing green, singing songs in Gaelic. That’s how it started.”

A veteran television industry executive, Mr. Comerford is the chief revenue officer and president of commercial operations for NBC. Despite his hectic schedule, he is a longtime member of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, as well as a Xavier trustee. He helped bring the broadcast of the Parade to WNBC-TV, where it is seen locally by several million people on the NBC network’s flagship station, and it is streamed live to a worldwide audience on nbcnewyork.com.

“You know, someone said to me, ‘You’ll never have as good a St. Patrick’s Day again.’ But I thought to myself, ‘I think I will, because I’ll always look back at this day.’ I got to march. My son is three. He may not remember it totally, but he’ll remember the pictures. St. Patrick’s Day is always going to be something special.”

Alumnus Leads 2012 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

F

2012 ANNUAL FUNDXavIER hIgh SChOOl

Xissa Sylla ’13 rises to challenges. A young

Muslim man, he has savored his three years at

a Jesuit institution. “it has helped strengthen my

own faith,” he said. “And for that, i am thankful.

Xavier is a great fit for me.”

With your support, Xavier can continue to instill

Jesuit ideals in issa and 1,050 other students.

To make your gift to the 2012 Annual Fund, call

(212) 901-5151, or visit xavierhsalumni.org.

“My Xavier is a tradition of excellence.”

Proud Day for Xavier

XavIER Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAiDPermit No. 85Bridgeport, CT30 West 16th Street • new York, nY 10011-6302

Alumni news CalendarClass of 2012 College Send-Off Aug. 14, 2012

Drinks at Xavier Aug. 15, 2012

Long island Reception Aug. 16, 2012

Cape Cod Reception Aug. 18, 2012

Xavier Society/Loyola Reception Sept. 19, 2012

President’s Council Dinner Sept. 26, 2012

Fall Open House Oct. 20, 2012

Hall of Fame Dinner Nov. 9, 2012

Young Alumni Luncheon Nov. 21, 2012

Turkey Bowl Football Game Nov. 22, 2012

Washington, D.C. Reception Nov. 28, 2012

CFX Acoustic Coffeehouse Dec. 7, 2012

Fall Play Dec. 14–16, 2012

Beefsteak Dinner Jan. 18, 2013

tHe 3rD aNNUal FrieNDS OF tHe JeSUitS GOlF OUtiNG Monday, Sept. 24 • Meadow brook Club, Jericho, Ny

• To benefit those in need through the works of the Jesuits• To support the care of elderly and infirm Jesuits

Golf Outing Co-Founders: Pete Dagher, Brian Devaney, Gary Goodenough; individual golfer: $1250.

For registration, sponsorship information and journal ads visit: www.nysj.org or contact Debra Ryan at the New York Jesuit Office, ryan@nysj.org or 212-774-5544