August 2009 Alumnews

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9A L U M N E W S O F X A V I E R H I G H S C H O O L

It’s all aboutSERVICE

In this Issue

August 2009 Vol. 12 No. 2

XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

John R. RaslowskyPresident

Michael LiVigniHeadmaster

Office of Advancementand Alumni RelationsJoseph F. GorskiVice President for Advancementand Alumni Relations

Mark A.Mongelluzzo, Esq.Director of Annual Givingand Planned Giving

Michael L. Benigno ’00Managing Editor of AlumnewsDirector of Alumni Relationsand Public Information

Loual Puliafito ’00Director of Emerging AlumniConstituencies andWeb Communications

Helene StrongParents’ Association Coordinator

Barbara CiullaAdvancement Office Manager

Norma PiecykAdministrative Assistantto the President and to theVP for Advancement

ContributingWritersLt. Col. Roy CampbellElizabeth DohertyPat Dowdell ’01Benjamin HammMaj.Doug LeVien ’90Tom O’Hara ’69EliasWahesh ’92

PhotographyDenise Coleman P ’10Davis Studios

Alumnews, the Xavier High Schoolmagazine, is published three timesa year by Xavier High School.

Correspondence and addresschanges should be mailed to:AlumnewsManaging EditorXavier High School30West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011-6302

Or by email to [email protected]

2 Meet Xavier’s New PresidentIn July 2009, Xavier was proud to welcome its 33rd president,Mr. JackRaslowsky.The Xavier community bid farewell to Fr. Dan Gatti, S.J. ’59who spoke at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2009.

16 Rubgy Team Goes FarXavier sports guru Tom O’Hara ’69 spins the tale of the 2009 XavierRugby team that almost made it all the way.

22 We need to Share this StoryAlumnews is pleased to announce the start of an ongoing effortto collect the first-person writing of Xavier graduates returning fromtheir deployments. Inside contributors include Cpt. Patrick DowdellUS Army ’01,Maj. Doug LeVien US Army ’90, Elias Wahesh ’92, formerUS Army Major, and Elizabeth Doherty, the sister of LCpl.MichaelGlover ’97.

D E PAR TMENTS

1 President’s Message4 From the Headmaster5 News from the Quad12 From the

Advancement Office

30 New Faces at Xavier36 Class Notes38 Mileposts

16

20

14

Cpt. Patrick Dowdell ’01 in Iraq

Mark Mongelluzzo with Gerry Knapp ’59

The Xavier Rugby Team

The Board of Trustees atthe 2009 CommencementCeremony

1AUGUST 2009 — ALUMNEWS

Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,

It is with great humility that I begin my work as Xavier’s 33rd president. I am thrilledto be at Xavier and honored to count many of my predecessors as friends. It was nearlytwenty-five years ago that Fr. Bill Wood invited me to work at Xavier High School inMicronesia. (In reality, Bill sent me to Micronesia.My not being a Jesuit did not interferewith Bill’s ability to send me halfway around the world! Fr.Wood said go. I went.) Fr. JimKeenan and I spent over a dozen years working together at St. Peter’s Prep in JerseyCity.They were delightful years in every way. Fr. Ken Boller has been a trusted mentorduring my years working with the Society and Frs. Pat Sullivan and Dan Gatti are valuedcolleagues. I am especially pleased to be following Fr. Gatti as president. He led Xavierwith distinction for the last twelve years, the longest tenure of any of our presidents.He led with great care for the men of Xavier and their families and with great fidelityto our mission. I look forward to building on the work of my predecessors, in partnershipwith you and our staff, to continue Xavier’s great service to the Church and society.

As I write this letter, Sonia Sotomayor has just been confirmed as the nation’s firstHispanic Supreme Court Justice. She joins our distinguished alumnus, the HonorableAntonin Scalia ’53, on the bench on the nation’s highest court.Whatever political andphilosophical differences may exist between the two, I am struck by the powerful storyCatholic education has played in their lives. For both justices, their Catholic high schoolexperiences in NewYork City played a very significant role in their growth and development.Spellman (Justice Sotomayor’s alma mater) like Xavier was, and is, rooted in the firmbelief that God is incarnate in our world.“The world,” in the words of the Jesuit poetGerard Manley Hopkins,“is charged with the grandeur of God.”This belief that Godin all God’s goodness is present in our world, walks with us and invites us into serviceof the Kingdom is the foundation of all that we do at Xavier.

For both justices, and generations of others, Catholic education in New York Cityhas been the story of opportunities. Opportunities provided by high standards, greatfaith and the holy desires that emerge from both. Xavier continues to present countlessopportunities for the young men entrusted to our care.The 1000 students that compriseour student body this year reflect the breadth and depth of New York City in their diver-sity and the experiences they bring to 16th Street. For each of them we will provide achallenging academic program, great care and the opportunity to grow into men whowill embody the values and virtues that are essential in our world—love, justice, hope,loyalty, hard work and excellence.The list is long and the goals ambitious. But whatis a Jesuit education if not ambitious?

I look forward to sharing this work with you.

My prayers, God’s blessings,

John R. RaslowskyPresident

PPRREESSIIDDEENNTT’’SS MMEESSSSAAGGEE

Greetings from the New President

2 ALUMNEWS —AUGUST 2009

On June 12, 2009, Xavier High Schoolannounced with pride the name of its33rd president, John R. Raslowsky II,who began his term on July 1st whenRev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59 steppeddown after a 12-year tenure.

Mr. Raslowsky, an experienced educator and administrator, brings toXavier exceptionally strong educationalleadership skills and more than 20years of intensive involvement in Jesuiteducation. His association with theSociety of Jesus has been extensive,beginning as a student at St. Peter’sPrep in Jersey City (1975-1979); then atSt. Peter’s Prep as a teacher, moderator,coach, and principal (1985-2003), andfinally as an assistant in the New YorkProvincial’s Office (2003-2007). His in-depth understanding of, and commitment to the teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola, made him an idealselection as Xavier’s next president.

For the past two years, Jack, as he is known, has been the superintendentof schools in Hoboken, New Jersey, aneducational system with 2,500 studentsat six schools. In this position, his focusand leadership has resulted in a rein-vention of expectations for the district,as well as some remarkable progress.Under his leadership, the District’s highschool was recognized for its dramaticimprovement by New Jersey Monthlyand the U.S. News and World Report.

Prior to that, he worked in variouscapacities in the office of the New YorkProvince of the Society of Jesus, includ-ing serving as the Provincial’s Assistantfor Secondary Education, as well as hisAssistant for Lay Faith Formation. In thesepositions, he had vital roles in addressingmission, clarifying identity issues, and inensuring effective governance. Raslowskywas the Provincial’s personal designeeas a member of each board of the

John Raslowsky II Named Xavier’s 33rd PresidentExtensive Experience in Jesuit Education Made Raslowsky an Ideal Candidate

Jack Raslowsky with Fr. Gatti at the presidential announcement, June 2009


Province’s seven high schools and threeprovince-sponsored middle schools. Healso sat on the boards of other Jesuitapostolates of the Society in New YorkCity and Buffalo.

John Raslowsky will be Xavier’s 33rdpresident and the first layman to leadXavier. While this may be a milestone, it is an event that the Jesuits and theirlay collaborators in this Province and in Jesuit education across the countryhave prepared for some time. Knowingthat the society was “graying” and thatvocations were decreasing, Jesuit lead-ership throughout the nation over thepast thirty years set forth on a missionof igniting the Ignatian flame amongthe Jesuit laity. He is among the authorsof What Makes a Jesuit School Jesuit, andnow joins the two other high school laypresidents in the New York Province and

the ten from the 52 Jesuit high schoolsthroughout the country.

Mr. Raslowsky’s academic preparationincludes an undergraduate degree inzoology from the University of Vermontand a master of education in adminis-tration from Harvard University. Nextspring he anticipates receiving a master’sdegree in systematic theology fromSeton Hall University’s ImmaculateConception Seminary School ofTheology.

In his announcement, Richard T.Nolan, Jr., Esq. ’83, chair of Xavier’sBoard of Trustees, stated “it is with greatconfidence and enthusiasm that theBoard of Trustees welcomes Jack asXavier’s 33rd President. We are confidentthat he possesses the educational skilland experience, the understanding ofand commitment to the charism of the

Society of Jesus, and the authenticity of formation in Ignatian spirituality that the Board believes are essential in Xavier’s next President.

“We see Jack’s educational leader-ship experience as a most compellingattribute. He’s a proven leader of Jesuiteducational institutions, with real worldhands-on experience that ranges fromteacher, retreat leader, coach, anddepartment chair to principal, trustee,board chairman, and superintendent of schools. It is with strong convictionthat we believe he is the leader Xavierneeds to achieve even higher levels of performance and success as it seeksto prepare the young men of today andtomorrow for service to our Country,our City and our Catholic faith. “

Mr. Raslowsky speaks with Xavier faculty members Mr. Chris Napolitano and Mrs. Margaret Gonzalez

The Xavier school community’s plans for the presidential introduction include an installation Ceremony and Mass at the Mass of theHoly Spirit on September 11, 2009, and introductions to alumni at a number of events during the fall, as well as on an expandedround of regional receptions set to take place throughout the 2009-2010 academic year.


Dear Xavier Alumni and Friends:One of the things I am most proud of at Xavier is the growing dedication of our students

to serving others. As a hallmark of Jesuit education, placing oneself at the service of othersis central to what we teach students at Xavier. There are many different ways that our studentsare taught this ideal, but one way in particular is unique to Xavier—the JROTC Regiment.The Regiment fosters the principle of leadership and service, which leads to many of our graduates choosing a life of service to our nation as a member of the armed services.

At Xavier open house events I am often called upon by visitors to explain how theteachings of the Church and the Society of Jesus can be reconciled with the philosophyand teaching of the armed services. At first thought it would seem that this is not the easiest of questions to answer, but after reading the mission and philosophy of the JROTC program, what becomes apparent is that at its core the program exists to teach studentsself-discipline, leadership and morality. All of these traits go to the heart of what we hope a Xavier education will provide. These characteristics seem to have great resonance with our incoming students and their families as participation in the Regiment continues to grow, with 40% of the student body voluntarily joining.

The JROTC program is a vehicle that enables Xavier to teach students leadership that is grounded in morality and faith. It is one more avenue for students to feel a part of something greater than themselves. By fostering self-discipline through programs such as the JROTC we continue to teach our students that even the most minor choices can have consequences. Above all the JROTC program, like so many other things we do here on 16th Street, teaches our students the value of placing their gifts and talents at the service of others. None of these actions are inconsistent with the goals of Xavier HighSchool, nor are they inconsistent with the teachings of the Church.

Every year several of our graduating seniors will go on to the service academies, enteran ROTC program or join a branch of the armed services directly. These young men areapplauded and supported by our community and greeted with great pride when theyreturn to visit Xavier. When I get the chance to talk to a Xavier graduate who is serving as a soldier, airman, or sailor I am always impressed and touched to hear and see the pride they take in the service they render to us all. Although military service is not for all, at Xavierit is embraced as one more way to be at service to others and, ultimately, to God.

We are lucky to have such a rich military history at Xavier, and the program continues to evolve year after year. Our military staff and all of our faculty and staff aim to engage our young men to the fullest extent while helping to shape a graduate committed to excellence, leadership, service and the ideals outlined in the “Graduate at Graduation,”which has provided guidance for Jesuit institutions across the country. At Xavier, we hold the highest expectations for our young men, and I would like to thank each of our supporters for the generosity that enable us continue providing the means for our students to meet those expectations.

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Xavier’s JROTC Today

MIKE LiVIGNIHeadmaster


The 25th Annual Xavier GolfOuting took place at theWestchester Hills Golf Club…

The Class of 2013 is set to arrive for classes in September…

The Xavier Business Councilcapped off a successful inaugural year…

The Parents’ Association hosted a FUNdraiser themedHawaiian Knights!…

The Block X Awards recognized Xavier’s finest…

Major renovations are taking place in the Church of St. Francis Xavier…

Father Gatti finished his 12-year term as president and addressed graduating seniors…

Back by demand, Tom O’Hara ’69 spins a dramatic Xavier Rugby tale!…

QuadNews from the QuadNews from the

I N B R I E F :

25 Years of Xavier GolfOn May 19th, the Westchester Hills Golf Club

played host to the 25th Annual Xavier Golf Outing.Before the shotgun start, the registration booth welcomed alumni and friends by handing out welcomebags and course assignments. After brunch, two of ourpopular competitions from past years continued—a putting contest & the JetBlue Challenge.

The addition of the putting contest and the JetBlueChallenge two years ago has given the tournament a new level of enjoyment. The winning putt camefrom Peter Colao ’74. At the end of the tournament,the second round of the JetBlue Challenge beganwith the four players who qualified during play by reaching closest to the pin. Dennis Sullivan,Carmine Esposito ’84, Vincent Birbiglia ’58and Bob Devine ’57 teed off against one another to see who would make the 155yd hole-in-one shot.Congratulations to Dennis Sullivan were he was thecloset out of our four competitors!

AwardsLow Gross: 76 Dennis SullivanLow Net: 70 Anthony DragoniLow Allaway: 73 Nicholas PanarellaJetBlue Challenge Winner: Dennis Sullivan

Martin F. Hayes, Esq. ’66, D’Agostino III ’79, Nicholas J. D’Agostino, Jr. ’56, Nicholas J., Mr. Don Steffens

Carmine Esposito ’84, Gilbert Santaliz ’84,Christopher J. Nolan ’84

The Westchester Hills Golf Club


News from the Quad

The incoming freshman class of 2013is another intelligent and large one. 280young men from the New York City areawill be joining us as Xavier students forthe first time this September. In a timewhen many Catholic high schools areconcerned about enrollment, Xaviercontinues to attract some of the mostintelligent and hardest-working youngmen in New York City. The tradition of Jesuit excellence continues!

Xavier remains an attractive optionfor many students and their familiesfrom Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island. As usual, the majorityof the incoming class is from Brooklyn(30%), Queens (25%), and Manhattan(19%), but we continue to see more students from Staten Island (11%)choosing Xavier as well. Also, 17 studentsfrom the Bronx will be attending Xavierin the fall, as will seven from WestchesterCounty, both of which are significantincreases from those areas in relation to recent years. Our largest “feederschools” for the incoming class are St. Francis De Sales and M.S. 23—Scholar’s Academy in Rockaway,

Queens; St. Joseph Hill Academy in StatenIsland; and St. Saviour, Good Shepherd,St. Anselm and St. Patrick in Brooklyn.

Of particular interest this year is the rise of freshmen students from non-Catholic schools (public, private, orindependent schools). Over 30% of the Class of 2013 will be joining us froma non-Catholic middle or elementaryschool, a 9% increase from only six yearsago, and a 4% jump from last year. TheAdmissions Office is attuned to the factthat as Catholic grammar schools in the Archdiocese of New York and theDiocese of Brooklyn and Queens con-tinue to struggle, we will have to focusmuch of our attention and recruitingefforts to students from public, private,and independent middle schools.

Our best recruiters are you, thealumni. When we ask the question,“How did you hear about us?” in a survey distributed at our open houses,the most frequent responses are “Wordof Mouth” or “Friend, Neighbor, orAlumni.” Encouraging the young menin your neighborhoods, communitiesand parishes to apply to Xavier is the

easiest way for you to help us ensurethat our student body is comprised ofintelligent, focused and diverse youngmen. As always, if you would like to helpthe Admissions Office with recruitingefforts in your neighborhood, pleasecontact the school. We would love to work in partnership with our mostloyal supporters to ensure that thelegacy of Jesuit excellence continues!

Ben Hamm has served as Director of Admissions since 2007.

The Xavier Experience Continues with the Class of 2013

Business Council Events Mark the End of a Successful Year

By Benjamin Hamm

The Xavier Business Council (XBC)concluded its first year of organizationwith a Real Estate Forum in the MeditzFamily Library/Learning Center onMarch 25, 2009 and a summer social on July 9th. Over 50 alumni and friends of Xavier participated, listened to distinguished alumni in the real estateindustry Tom Cannon ’71 (Flag WharfInc.), Dan Denihan ’65 (Tenth AvenueHoldings), and Vincent Giffuni ’61(Merit Operating Corp). The panel discussed geographic trends and theoutlook for both residential and com-mercial real estate and was moderatedby Joe Genovesi ’78 (Studley Brokerage)and Co-Chair of the Business Council.

The next XBC event, set for theevening of Thursday, October 15th at Xavier, will focus on Xavier’s long,

proud tradition of alumni serving in theMilitary. Featured speakers will includeRear Admiral Thomas Steffens ’65 USNavy Ret. Tom spent his entire careeras part of the SEALS, with his lastassignment as Head of the Navy’s Anti-Terrorism Command.

This is a complimentary event opento all alumni and friends of Xavier. The

XBC would particularly like to invitethose alumni active or retired militarypersonnel to participate or attend.Please reserve as early as possible [email protected]. You may also emailthe XBC to register your current contactinformation to be used for futureannouncements of events. In addition,you may join the XBC on LinkedIn.

Hawaiian KnightsOn Friday, May 8, 2009, Xavier parents

and friends joined together to raise moneyfor the school at the Parents’ Association’sFUNdraiser, “Hawaiian Knights.” More than350 people enjoyed the bright, colorful,tropical decorations as they bid on greatsilent auction items, bought raffle tickets,and cheered on the ponies. The Parents’Association is very grateful for the supersupport in difficult times that enabled us to raise money for school operations. As always, the proceeds are used to providethe best possible environment and resourcesfor our sons.

—Helene StrongParents’ Association Coordinator


News from the Quad

The “Polynesian Pearl” booth volunteers!

Fr. Gatti greeting Xavier parents.

Helene Strong congratulates the Mauna Loa Moola winner

To volunteer your time at an upcoming Xavier Parents’ Association event,

contact Helene Strong at 212-924-7900 x.1654!


News from the Quad

Basketball (Rev. Thomas L. Matthews, S.J. Award) Christopher Coyne ’09

Bowling Frank Finn ’09

Boxing Club Steven Garger ’10

Cartooning and Illustration Michael Cunningham ’09

Chess Club Raju Srinivasan ’09

Color Guard Giancarlo Rindone ’09

Cross-Country (Rev. Joseph W. O’Donovan, S.J. Award) Jordan Elie-Vieux ’09

Dramatics Nicholas Pope ’09

Film Club Michael McManus ’09

Football (Rev. Edward Herlihy, S.J. Trophy) Seamus Kelly ’09 (Roger McTiernan Scholarship Award) John Wilson ’10

Golf Club Christopher Duffy ’09

Hockey Michael Biagioni ’09Joseph Gilhooly ’11

Lexicon Conor Casey ’09Ryan T. McCarthy ’09

Military History (Walter Settle Memorial Award) Stephan D’Urso ’09

NYSHS Jonathan Messina ’09

Photography Club Jack Raisch ’11

Raiders Francesco Piccione ’09

Review Chelien Brown ’09

Rifle Team Shane Lonergan ’09Mario Dell’Aguzzo ’09

Rugby (Nigel Milton Award) Seamus Kelly ’09

Saber Guard Paolo Chioni ’09Matthew Cassara ’09

Soccer Edward Sullivan ’11

Stage Crew Robert Rumely ’09Keith Zoufaly ’09

Student Council Christopher Coyne ’09

Student Events Dominic Brockway ’09Jeremy Garcia ’09

Swimming (Rev. Gerard F. Knoepfel, S.J. Award) Ryan Furlong ’09Jeremiah Hanson ’09

Tennis (John J. “Pat” Rooney Award) Thomas Klosinski ’10

Track [Indoor] (James J. Walsh Award) Jose Miranda ’09

Wrestling (Rev. Russell J. Sloun, S.J. Award) Andrew Murano ’10

X-Squad Edwin Flores ’09

Yearbook Robert Furatero ’10William Lorenzo ’11

The Triple “C” Award from the State Attorney General Office Christopher Duffy ’09

The Office of the State Comptroller Award George Adams ’09by the State of New York

The Office of the City Comptroller Award Michael D’Amato ’09by the City of New York Stephen D’Amato ’09

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Peter Xavier ’09 Benevolent Association Statewide Scholarship Award

The Kassenbrock Brothers John Young ’09Memorial Scholarship Fund Award Michael Cunningham ’09

The Rev. William T. Wood, S.J. Award Brent Scardapane ’12

The Rev. John F. O’Shea Award Christopher Mattina ’11

The Francis X. Bambury Award Sean Carley ’10

The Leo F. Paquin Award Thomas McNoble ’09

The Sean Lugano Scholarship Award Patrick Coleman ’10

The Rev. Peter Arabia, S.J. Memorial “Man for Others” Award James Leonardi ’10

The Gerard J. Werckle Award Peter Kouretsos ’09

The Rev. Edward J. Spinello, S.J. Award Nicholas Pope ’09

The Bernard M. Moynahan Award Seamus Kelly ’09

On May 12th, in the longstandingXavier tradition, students, scholars andathletes were presented with Block Xawards to recognize outstandingachievement in Xavier’s manyextracurricular clubs and activities.

Members of the Xavier communitygathered in the Church of St. FrancisXavier to honor the students from the range of four years of academicstudies who were being awarded.

The names of honorees will beadded to the many Block X awardsdisplayed outside of the Headmaster’sOffice in Xavier’s Lynch Building. Overthe past year, a number of alumni havevisited the school, recalling Block Xceremonies of the past, which weretypically celebrated with a banquetstyle dinner. While that custom evolvedsome time ago, the Block X ceremonystill stands as a major milestone, culminating a year of excellence and dedication among our studentsas they continue the pursuit of a well-rounded Xavier education.

Block X Awardsfor Xavier’s Finest

AWA R D E E S I N C LU D E D :

The Rev. Thomas L. Matthews, S.J. Award and the Gerard J. Werckle Trophy


News from the Quad

As a Xavier High School Alum, yousurely have spent time sitting, prayingand worshipping in the historic Churchof St. Francis Xavier. Perhaps during amoment or two of fidgeting you foundyourself looking around the Church.

What did you see? Perhaps it was the lush artwork

of the prominent church artist WilliamLamprecht that caught your eye?Lamprecht painted the nearly life-sized14 Stations of the Cross murals, the 14angel medallions on the ceiling (eachdepicting a cherub holding a snow whitebanner telling of St. Francis Xavier’svirtues), and the magnetic and stunning“Apotheosis of St. Francis Xavier” medal-lion above the main altar. Or perhapsyou were drawn to the statues standingguard, the majestic marble columns, thevibrant stained glass or the magnificenthigh altar or reredos? All are rich archi-

tectural details designed by the famousarchitect Patrick C. Keely. Sadly, bothLamprecht’s and Keely’s work havebeen obscured by many decades of fundamental neglect.

The Church has not been painted in more than 70 years. The plaster isdecaying and all the murals show signsof water damage. You may also havenoticed how hot the church might havebeen in September or how cold inDecember and how dark the churchwas—even with all the lights on!

Fortunately, we are movingforward in renewal, renova-tion and restoration. Recentlythe exterior of the church was“sealed” as a first step allowingus to begin work on the interior ofthe church. Plans have been carefullyimplemented to ensure that the gloryand grandeur of our home is not lostand forgotten, but that it lives on forfuture generations of Xavier students as well as parishoners.

In the meanwhile, during construc-tion, while sitting on folding metal chairsin the Xavier gym and making our wayto the make-shift altar for communion,we find ourselves fidgeting and looking…

What do we see now?Perhaps the scoreboard that signaled

many a victory for the Knights, the stagewhere many plays have been performed,or how the Xavier colors are reflected in

the banners placed near the make-shiftaltar? The banners remind us that Massis in the gym because of an $11.5M renovation and restoration now underway in the church.

When the renovation and restorationis completed and the church is re-dedicated in the spring of next year…

What do we all hope to see?With your help, all artwork will

be restored and air-conditioning will finally become a reality. New heating

units, upgraded electricity, modern and historic lighting and a new soundsystem will be installed. The pipe organthat has not been heard in yearsbecause of disrepair will be refurbishedand the 24-ton high altar, or reredos, hasbeen moved forward 12 feet to makeroom for a new sacristy and a new baptismal font.

Since Xavier himself is the reason for both school and church, how fittingtherefore that Father Daniel Gatti, S.J.,and the Board of Trustees of the High School have made possible therestoration of the St. Francis XavierApotheosis Medallion with a 5-yearpledge totaling $100,000.

Generations of Xavier students havebuilt memories upon their experiencesin the Church of St. Francis Xavier, and if you are interested in donating to thechurch, your support would be appreci-ated. In addition, please feel free to shareyour special memories of the Churchof St. Francis Xavier for us to include inour bulletin and website, and, of course,come and visit. We ought to be back in the Church in September and much of the work will be completed by Christmas.

For further information contact PatrickBrewis, Capital Campaign Director at 212.627.2100 ext. 206 or visit www.sfxavier.org/movingforward.

The Church of St. Francis Xavier

Moving Forward in Renewal, Renovation and Restoration

By Patrick Brewis

Stations of the Cross painting in the Church of St. Francis Xavier before and after restoration

The St. Francis Xavier Apotheosis Medallion


In June, bidding farewell to alumni,supporters, and members of the Xaviercommunity, Fr. Daniel Gatti, S.J. ’59stepped down as Xavier’s president afterthe longest tenure of any president to date.

Fr. Gatti was Xavier’s 33rd presidentand the fifth alumnus to hold the posi-tion. His term of 12 years closed withthe celebration of his 50-year reunionfrom Xavier as well as the 50th yearsince he joined the Jesuits.

Fr. Gatti’s indelible mark is all aroundXavier, whether attributed or not. In thespring of 1998, two major gifts from theLynch and Slevin families made possiblethe first round of major facility renova-tions under his administration. The thirdand fourth floor hallways of the Kanebuilding were fit with new lockers, and both the school gymnasium andthe Commons received new floors. Inaddition to other improvements to theschool’s four buildings, the band roomwas modernized and an extensive,

organized archive room was establishedto properly preserve items and literaturethat tell the story of Xavier’s long history.Fr. Gatti even personally refinishedwooden handrails throughout the Lynchbuilding, as well as furniture in severalschool offices.

More recently, under Fr.Gatti’s lead,major work to the façade of the 15thand 16th Street buildings ensured thatthree of the school’s oldest buildingswould remain structurally sound for the perpetual future.

The impact of Fr. Gatti’s presidencywill be to be felt long into the future.Rallying the support and guidance of alumni, donors and fellow Jesuits, Fr. Gatti has played a crucial role inplanning a permanent athletic practicefield on the grounds of Mount ManresaJesuit Retreat House, in Staten Island.Xavier’s JROTC regiment has also grownto the highest level of participation sincethe program became optional in 1972,and Fr. Gatti’s presence at many

regimental activities and competitions as well as his constant advocacy for the program has in no small part con-tributed to the program’s renaissance.

Under Fr. Gatti’s leadership, Xavier’sannual fund grew from $1.2 million in1998 to a high of $2.5 million in 2008.Xavier’s endowment grew from $10.7million to a high of $27 million in thesame time period. In addition, by theend of his term, more graduates frommore parts of the country were comingback to the school or attending alumnifunctions than ever before.

Fr. Gatti will be taking a year-longsabbatical, during which time he willattend a theological renewal programin California. His other plans includetraveling to Portugal and continuingseveral writing projects.

Xavier—“The little miracle on 16thStreet,” as he calls it—will be indebtedto Fr. Gatti’s efforts and love as he continues on to his future assignments.

Fr. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J. ’59

Saying Goodbye,but Leaving a LegacyFr. Gatti with students in Hurtado Hall

Fr. Gatti celebrating a football victory with Coach Stevens

Fr. Gatti awarding Mr. Michael Tolkin ’85,Rugby head coach


In preparing to step down after 12 years as Xavier’s president,

Fr. Gatti addressed the school community in early June. By

sharing his letter here, he wishes to extend his thankfulness

to Xavier alumni, parents and friends for their unwavering

support and dedication during his tenure.

June 4, 2009

Dear Members of the Administration, Faculty and Staff,

I have been deeply honored to serve Xavier as presidentfor the past 12 years. The school, its programs and its facultyhave grown in significant ways, and yet there is always moreto be done, new challenges to be addressed, and a future to be envisioned and shaped. Change and development areconstitutive of life, and so Xavier, standing firmly on 162 yearsof history and tradition, must chart a course to enhance itsstrengths and be bold enough to break new ground to pro-vide the best possible programs and facilities to accomplishits educational mission, collaborate with its brother aposto-lates and remain attentive to the reality and needs of itslocality and neighbors. This is our Jesuit way of proceeding.Though I depart with some regret and disappointment thatmajor initiatives remain unfinished, I take comfort in the factthat they were identified and pursued, rather than avoided or neglected. Sons of Xavier, truly, keep marching!

I am indebted to many, and to name a few: the threeHeadmasters with whom I’ve served (Dave Ciancimino, S.J. ’77,Joe Gerics and Mike LiVigni); Joe Gorski and his entire devel-opment staff; Ken Sidlowski and his staff; Frank Leahy, NormaPiecyk; past Chairmen of the Board, Frank Morison ’58,Steve Vincent ’75, Gene Rainis ’58 and Tom Conniff ’52;past Trustees and Committee members; hard working, self-sacrificing, devoted faculty and counselors; countless loyalalumni benefactors and dedicated parents.

As Xavier’s fifth alumnus-president, while in office I havehad the unique privilege of celebrating a double anniversarythis year: my 50th year since graduation and my 50th year asa member of the Society of Jesus. No, I don’t in any way feel“golden,” just a bit “olden!” I thank God for this double joy inmy life, and that it coincidently provides me with a fittingtime to step down.

In one sense the farewells have already been said, the par-ties given and the gifts gratefully received—last year! I wouldnow only add a paraphrase of General MacArthur’s famous“old soldiers never die, they just fade away” speech: ‘I nowclose my presidency and just fade away, a grateful presidentwho tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see thatduty. Good bye.’

Yes, I look forward to my sabbatical year, and I pray God’scontinued blessings on each of you, and upon our communityof faith, learning and service: Xavier High School.

Speaking at the 2009 Commencement Ceremony

Mr. Rocco Iacovone ’62, Fr. Gatti, and MSG James Jones


As all of you are by now aware, the impact of the ongoing economicrecession has negatively affected collegesand independent high schools alikeduring fiscal 2009. Xavier has been similarly affected. Many of our students’families and many alumni have foundthemselves in reduced circumstances,many suffering investment losses andothers job losses. These conditionsincrease the financial needs of our students and their families while at the same time causing reductions in both annual funds raised anddecreases in investment earnings from our endowment.

The good news is that we are in a financially sound position. While weclosed the 2009 Annual Fund below our budgeted goal of $2.0 million at$1,904,000, the results were still the thirdmost successful annual fund performancein the history of the school. That per-formance, added to increases in tuitioncollected because of additional studentsin the building, kept us on track to a balanced budget for the year. Ourendowment, down 31.6% in calendaryear 2008 to a low of $17,523,000 fromits high of just under $26,000,000 inJune 2008, has rebounded to just under$20,000,000 (including a withdrawal of slightly more than $1,000,000 whichwas used for financial aid, professionaldevelopment and facility improvements).Thanks to each and every one of you whocontributed to our annual fundraisinginitiatives in fiscal 2009, Xavier remainsin fine financial shape.

Looking ahead to the 2009-2010school year, Xavier has taken steps toinsure our continued financial goodhealth. Departmental budgets have beenheld to levels no greater than those fromour just-completed school year and inseveral instances have been reduced.The tuition and fees increase was heldto less than 5% for the upcoming year($550). Our student population continuesto be strong with 278 registrants for theincoming freshman class and a totalprojected student count of approxi-mately 978 expected in the building

in September. However, withdrawalsfrom the endowment are calculatedusing the “Yale” formula, based on arolling base of three years. Money forfinancial aid will still be available, but if the stock market does not improvethere could be less money available inupcoming years. As the total operatingbudget was constructed, the financecommittee and the business office recommended to the Board cutting backthe 5% salary increases that had beenagreed upon for the final year of athree-year agreement to 1.5%. Faculty,administration and staff, after beingapprised of the initiative at a school-widemeeting, supported it without reserva-tion. All other benefits, including healthand pension plans, remain the same as they have been in recent years.

With these plans in effect, we expectXavier’s annual budget for the upcomingyear to once again be balanced. To insurethat balanced budget, it is importantthat the Annual Fund reach its goalnext year. The Annual Fund at Xavierprovides roughly 14% of the operatingexpenses at Xavier High School eachyear. The Advancement Office has set a goal for fiscal 2010 of $1,950,000 or a 1% increase over the dollar totalachieved in fiscal 2009. To reach thatgoal we will once again need the helpof alumni, parents (current and graduate)and friends.

In 2009, it was especially gratifying to realize that many of the school’s con-stituents who had not given in recentyears, had, in this great time of need,rejoined our efforts. It was wonderful tosee the number of donors who increasedtheir gifts, both large and small, to helpthose less fortunate than themselves. It was equally inspiring to see donors,whose companies eliminated matchinggifts in 2009, make up the lost matcheswith their own increased gifts or realizethat some donors who had lost theirjobs in the downturn of the economystill managed to make sacrificial gifts to Xavier. Thank you for your continuedgenerosity and support. We could notdo it without you.

JOE GORSKIVice President for Advancement

Xavier and the Economy


On a trip to Boston and environs inJuly, my family and I visited Peacefieldin Quincy, MA where John and AbigailAdams and their children, most notablyson John Quincy, lived most of their lives.It is a place that tells the story of the firstgreat American dynasty as well as thecountry they helped create and sustain.

The Adams story is an inspiring one,wrought with courage, hardship, love,loss, arrogance, and unparalleled perse-verance. John Adams, the patriarch,signer of the Declaration andWashington’s first successor asPresident; Abigail, the strong-willedother half of America’s first “power couple;” and John Quincy, the “goldenboy” who served his country as Ministerto Russia and the Court of St. James,Secretary of State, President andCongressman. “Quincy” had remarkableperseverance: rather than retire followinghis defeat to Andrew Jackson in his 1828reelection bid, JQA instead ran for andwas elected to, Congress. As JQA oncehimself noted, “Patience and persever-ance have a magical effect before whichdifficulties disappear and obstaclesvanish.” What followed was the greatestsecond act in American history. Adamsspent the rest of his life furthering thecause of liberty as an outspoken aboli-tionist. No other president before or since ever had such a remarkablepost-presidential impact.

I always find it interesting to learnhow great people in history faced thechallenges of their times. It strengthensmy outlook on life—for I am a firmbeliever that the past holds inspirationand even advice—and helps put thepresent in perspective. Being remindedagain of the great Adams story this July helped me to put the 2009 Annual Fund into perspective.

My first week at Xavier, in October2008, the Dow Jones closed at 8,378—down 60% from the year before—andthe Annual Fund was running more than20% behind from the previous year. Allindications were that fiscal 2009 wouldbe extremely challenging for fundraising.

Still, I took solace in what I had beentold was a great community of alumni,parents and friends who, through theirgenerosity, had time and again securedthe blessings of the Xavier tradition.

While it was apparent that many in the Xavier community had sufferedfrom the economic downturn, it wasalso evident that the Xavier family wasstrong enough to weather the storm.After months of waiting patiently for a significant increase in donations,suddenly, between March and May,$455,000 came pouring into the Fund;then another $534,000 by the end ofJune! In the end, the Annual Fund totaledjust over $1,904,000, slightly off our goalof $2,000,000, but unprecedentedgiven the times.

As Fr. Gatti reminded us in the lastissue of Alumnews, Xavier’s history isrooted in perseverance: “…Xavier HighSchool came within a hair’s breadth of disappearing, just five months after Fr. John Larkin, S.J. opened its doors at 40 Elizabeth St., in …1847 New York”[when] “on the Saturday evening ofJanuary 22, 1848…a devastating firereduced the church and school toruins… Remarkably, classes were heldon Tuesday, a mere three days after the fire.” Larkin found a way for Xavierto continue!

Ironically, just one month after the Xavier fire—on February 21, 1848—John Quincy Adams collapsed on thefloor of the United States Congress; he died two days later. He was mournedas a great patriot, son of the Revolution,and shining example American perse-verance.

That same perseverance—so preva-lent in 1848 America—is still alive on16th Street. Xavier remains proud andstrong because of the willingness ofevery generation of alumni, parents andfriends to persevere through all of life’schallenges, and to give generously toensure that the great Xavier traditionendures. The result? The great dynastythat is our Xavier story!

Onward Sons of Xavier!

“Patience and

perseverance

have a magical

effect before

which difficulties

disappear and

obstacles vanish.”

—John Quincy Adams

Patience and Perseverance Prevailin the 2009 Annual Fund

MARK A. MONGELLUZZO, ESQ.Director of Annual Giving


VolunteerThe Xavier VolunteerReception tookplace June 16th inthe Commons. Theevent recognizedparents, graduateparents and othersupporters whodonated their timeto help organizealumni and parentsevents throughoutthe school year.

Cathie Gearity P’10, ’05, ’03, Gina DeSciara P’12, Beth Connors P’11, Mary Ann Lorenzo P’11

Barbara Ciulla and Norma Piecyk, advancement office staff

Parent volunteers enjoying the evening Alumni, staff and friends surround Frank Leahy ’41

BostonThe Boston area alumni reception took place April 16th at the BostonCollege Club, drawing about 15 graduates and several guests, including recent graduates Brendan Roche ’08, Matt Pynn ’06,and John Giachetta ’08.

Were You There? This Season’s Alumni Events…


FloridaA series of Florida alumnireceptions took place during the last week ofFebruary and the first weekof March 2009. Joe Gorski,vice president for advance-ment and alumni relationstraveled with Fr. Gatti tovisit graduates and theirguests at a number ofFlorida cities. Specialthanks to the graduatesthat hosted or sponsoredthe receptions!

Winter Park

West Palm

Miami Ft. Lauderdale

Marco Island Stuart/Palm City


It should have been a storybook ending for Joe Drennan ’08.

After suffering a serious eye injury in the summer before his senior year, Joe could only sit by as the football teamon which he was to have been a startinglineman went 11-1 and captured the2007 division championship. He wassupposed to play forward on Xavier’srugby team the following spring, too,and his eye eventually healed to thepoint where his doctor said that Joecould play again, but his parents andcoaches were understandably cautious.And so Joe mostly stood on the sidelineas The Team Formerly Known as theOutlaws also enjoyed one of their bestseasons ever. (Back when each Xavier sportwas allowed to choose its own nickname,the rugby team voted to call themselvesthe Outlaws, after a rock band of thatera—or so they told their coach.)

That 2008 squad lost just one matchduring the regular season—in Dublinagainst storied Blackrock College. After

taking the Metropolitan New York RugbyFootball Union (“Met Union”) high schooltitle, the 16th Street Kids moved on toWest Point, where they won the NortheastU.S. High School Championship.

Joe’s moment—as dramatic as it was unexpected—came two weekslater in Pittsburgh at the USA RugbyNational High School Championships.Indiana powerhouse Penn High Schoolhad managed to tie the Knights at theend of regulation time in their first-roundmatch, and under the InternationalRugby Board’s convoluted regulationsgoverning tiebreakers in U-19 tourna-ment play, each team designated fiveplayers to take a kick at goal. Two fromeach side were successful; they were still tied.

IRB rules called for each squad to nowdesignate five new players for secondround of kicks, and that’s when Joe trotted out onto the pitch. Xavier’s entirerugby season hung in the balance as thekid who had missed his last football sea-

son and most of the rugby season pre-pared to take his first-ever kick at goal.With his teammates, coaches and therest of the Xavier faithful looking on,hearts in their throats, Joe stepped back, took a deep breath, and thendrilled the ball through the uprights.

Unfortunately, none of Joe’s fourteammates could match Joe’s feat, whiletwo Penn players did. The ref awardedthe match to the Indiana team.

Then Xavier associate head coach(and dean of faculty) Joe Sweeney ’85,had another look at the tournamentrules. The second round of kicking wassupposed to have been sudden death.Xavier should have been declared thewinner when Joe Drennan made thekick of his life. Inexplicably, his decisionwas upheld on appeal by USA Rugby,the sport’s national governing body.

Joe Drennan had come through forXavier in the biggest match of the sea-son, but it was Penn who would moveon to the semi-finals, while the Knights,

The Outlaws

RideAgain

“Rugby is a wonderful show: dance, opera and, suddenly, the blood of a killing.”

By Tom O’Hara ’69 Xavier Sports Guru

Sean Kelly ’10 tackles a Gonzaga College High School opponent


who had been a favorite to repeat as national champions, were insteadconsigned to the loser’s bracket. Eventhough they could now finish no higherthan fifth, Xavier’s coaches and playersput their anger and bitter disappoint-ment aside, regrouped and won theirremaining matches to finish 2-1.

Six months later, as another champi-onship football season came to a close,Xavier’s returning rugby vets turned theirattention to the business of avengingJoe Drennan and the other graduatingseniors who had been robbed of theirshot at the national title. Less than 48hours after they had played on television in the Turkey Bowl, juniorSean Kelly ’10 (That’s “Seamus’s BetterBrother” to you) led nine of his teammatesback into battle at the 50th Annual NewYork Sevens Tournament, the nation’soldest and most prestigious seven-a-siderugby competition.

Kelly & company steamrolled aPennsylvania club and a Maryland high

school on their way to the final againstLa Chasse Galerie of Québec. To theastonishment of the hundreds of rugbyplayers and fans on Randall’s Islandthat day, the 16th Street Kids shut outthe tournament favorites 21-0 to winthe U-19 division title. The boys wereback in town.

Throughout December the kidspracticed on their own, but when formal training began after Christmasvacation, they found that their coacheshad been busy in the off-season. Formost of its history, Xavier Rugby hadfielded just two sides—the illustrious A Team and the legendary Killer B’s. In2008, a U-15 team had been introducedso that the freshmen and sophomorescould gain more game experience. Butnow the coaches had another problem:how to guarantee playing time for allthose underclassmen when they movedup to the varsity. There is, after all, no platooning in rugby, and very limited substitution.

And so it was decreed that, for thefirst time ever, Xavier would field fourrugby teams: freshmen, junior varsity,and two separate varsity squads. “VarsityI” would play in the Met Union’s HighSchool Division I. “Varsity II” would playDivision II teams. In just two years, XavierRugby had more than doubled in size,from 45 to some 105 players, or approx-imately one in every nine Xavier students.

The 2009 edition of The TeamFormerly Known as the Outlaws pickedright up where their predecessors hadleft off. Ranked #2 in the nation by Rugbymagazine in the pre-season, Xavier wasas advertised. After dismantling Union(NJ) RFC 49-0 in the season opener, theKnights headed south to WashingtonD.C. where they handed 6-0 GonzagaCollege High School its first defeat of the season, 34-20.

Back in New York, it soon becameapparent that the gap between Xavierand its league opponents had onlywidened since last year. After defeating

“Rugby is a wonderful show: dance, opera and, suddenly, the blood of a killing.”—Sir Richard Burton

Former Welsh rugby player-turned-thespian

Brendan Murphy ’10 and Sean Carley ’10 fight for possession


Keio Academy 74-0 on the road, theKnights returned home to host theirtoughest Met Union adversary,Greenwich High School. This was a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, however, and it showed. Xavier 48,Greenwich 10.

Now came the hard part of the regularseason. In recent years, as Xavier hascome to dominate the Met Union, it isno longer a question of whether theKnights will make the postseason, butrather how they will perform against thenational powers they encounter there.For that reason, head coach Mike Tolkin‘85 and his staff have used the team’sannual Easter tour as an opportunity to seek out the toughest available opposition, both here and abroad.

Two years ago, the 16th Street RoadWarriors traveled to southern France.Last year it was Ireland. This spring, theyreturned to a region Xavier first visitedin 1978, back when the Knights werethe Outlaws: Northern California.

Northern California is, as it was backthen, a rugby stronghold, and CoachTolkin scheduled three of the region’stop teams: defending national championJesuit High School, 2005 national cham-pion Elsie Allen High School, and RugbySuper League champion San FranciscoGolden Gate’s U-19 side. On the eve of their departure for the West Coast,Xavier’s coaches admitted that therewas a real possibility their squad couldcome out on the short end of all threematches. That was not important, theysaid, as long as the tour prepared theirteam for the grueling playoffs ahead.

Not to worry. In one of the epic chap-ters of Xavier Rugby’s 34-year history, theKids from 16th Street met and defeatedall three teams in the space of just fivedays, winning each match by a greaterpoint margin than the one before: 22-20,49-12 and 55-10. This extraordinary featcaused a stir throughout the U.S. rugbycommunity and was covered at lengthin the national rugby media.

Back home in New York, the unde-feated Knights dispatched the rest oftheir league opponents to take the MetUnion crown. Then it was back to WestPoint for the Northeastern Rugby UnionHigh School Championships. Xavier has won the Northeastern U.S, title every year since the Eastern U.S. HighSchool Championships were dividedinto the present day Northeastern andMid-Atlantic regional tournaments in 2003, and this year was perhaps theKnights’ most dominant performanceever, as they defeated Boston CollegeHigh School, Fairfield Prep and archrivalGreenwich by the combined score of 143-12.

The USA Rugby National High SchoolChampionships were held in Pittsburghfor the second straight year, and theKnights again faced a strong Indianateam—Brownsburg High School—in the opening round, but the Knightswere determined that it would not bedéjà vu all over again. And it wasn’t. The

Chris Tellone ’09, Seamus Kelly ’09, Rinaldo Riboul ’09, andChris Petri ’10 celebrate a hard-fought victory

Greg Voight ’09 adds a conversion kick


Hoosiers outweighed the New Yorkers,but the city kids ran the big farm boysinto the ground. Final score: 43-0, Xavier.

So far, so good, but the Knights werenot yet through paying for the referee’smistake at last year’s Nationals. Underyet another USA Rugby rule, tournamentseedings are determined by how eachregion’s representative finished at theprevious year’s tournament. Xavier wasagain the Northeast U.S. representative,and because the Knights had “lost” in the first round in 2008 and finishedfifth, they were seeded fifth in 2009.

Never mind that Rugbymagazinehad ranked Xavier second only to Jesuit before the season, or that the16th Street Kids had gone on to upsetthe defending national champions justthe month before. The seedings shouldhave been set up so that if the teamsstayed unbeaten, they would meet inthe championship match on Saturday.Instead, #5 Xavier would meet #1 Jesuitin the semi-finals late Friday afternoon.

Furthermore, unlike the final, whichwas 70 minutes long (two 35-minutehalves), matches in the tournament’s firsttwo rounds were limited to 45 minutes.Neither team was going to wear theother down, as the supremely fit Xaviersquad had done to so many opponentsover the years. The brevity of this semi-final match between two opponents ofthis caliber also meant that the first teamto make a mistake could quickly finditself in serious difficulty.

Alas, that team was Xavier. The gamewas closer than the 27-5 score wouldindicate. Two blown calls cost Xavier atleast 8 points, and Jesuit scored its last 7 points as time ran out. But the Knightsfell behind 10-0 early on and pressedtoo hard, resulting in uncharacteristicallysloppy passing and mental errors on defense—mistakes for which thedefending champions made our kids pay.To their credit, our coaches and playersrefused to make excuses. The Marauderswere the superior team that day and

deserved their victory. Although the 16th Street Kids were

deeply disappointed by the loss to Jesuit,they pulled themselves together, cameback out the next day and punishedGonzaga 24-0 to take 3rd place in thetournament. That’s key because shouldThe Team Formerly Known as theOutlaws make it back to the Nationalsnext year, they will be seeded thirdrather than fifth.

To the 2009 Xavier Rugby Knights:congratulations on a terrific season!

As for the rest of you… are youready for some football?!

Tom O’Hara ’69 is a former playerand coach and has been writingabout Xavier football since 2004. To subscribe to Mr. O’Hara’s epic e-newsletter, Xavier Football &Rugby Alumni News (It’s free!), e-mail him at [email protected]

The team celebrates its 10th straight East Coast/Northeast Rugby Union Championship at West Point


An excerpt from Fr. Gatti’s Commencement Address, June 11, 2009.

…I look forward to presenting you withyour diplomas, as I know you look forwardto receiving them. Each is signed by Mr. LiVigni and me; our signatures attestto the reality that each of you has fulfilledthe educational requirements of both theState of New York and Xavier High School.But within those signatures are hiddenboth a home and a prayer—the hopethat you forever remain a loyal Son ofXavier, and the prayer that god continueto bless you throughout your adult life. In the past 12 years I have signed slightlyover 2,500 diplomas; yours are my last,and therefore special to me.

…Jim Riordanwas Colonel of theRegiment and brilliant in Math. He wentto college and later earned a PhD inEconomics. For the last thirty years or so he’s worked for A.I.D., the Agency forInternational Development. He’s fluent inSpanish; spent many years in South andCentral America, working with poor nativepeoples and bringing their hand-craftedproducts to North American markets. He’scurrently working in Albania, homelandto Mother Teresa, assisting in the economicdevelopment of struggling people there.

Excellence on Display at St. Patrick’sThe 2009 Graduates Exuded Class at Xavier’s Commencement

THE PEWS WERE FILLED WITH GRADUATES, friends and family members,and the mighty bronze doors were opened, while Xavier faculty, staff andadministration sat behind the marble altar at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Xavier’s166th Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2009.

For both graduates and those assembled, the night is a formal celebrationof four years of hard work and commitment to Xavier’s mission. The ceremony,held June 11, 2009, provided the chance to laud the accomplishments ofmembers of the graduating class, recognizing students who have distinguishedthemselves in academic, spiritual, athletic and regimental areas.

Seniors David Wong and Matthew Pellerzi received special honors and addressed those gathered as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.Wong graduated with a four-year cumulative average of 95.98, while Pellerziearned a four-year average of 95.50. Both young men spoke eloquently andrepresented their class with excellence.

Rev. Daniel J. Gatti, S.J., ’59 delivered the commencement address, as hespoke just three weeks before finishing his tenure as Xavier’s longest-servingpresident. Fr. Gatti, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his Xavier graduationand of his entering the Jesuits, inspired the young graduates present that nightas he spoke on the lives of several of his own Xavier classmates, and theiraccomplishments over the course of the decades since they left 16th Street.

In addition, several faculty and staff members received Bene Merentiawards recognizing 20 years of service to Xavier, including Mrs. DeniseConway, Ms. Angela DeVita, Mrs. Norma Piecyk, Mrs. Denise Iacovone, Mr. John McGoldrick and Mr. Jerome McKinney.

The procession into St. Patrick’s Cathedral


Anthony Scunzianowas a tough-as-nails kid from the Lower East Side, actually,a member of Hell’s Angels. Coaches at Xavierwanted him to play football, but he nevertried out for the team. They saw he wasbright, first honors most of the time. Whatthey didn’t see or know was that he alreadyhad a heavy burden of extracurriculars.Every day, before and after school, he wouldhelp his mother by carrying the big bundlesof clothing she would have to take hometo work on, then return them to her placeof work in the garment district the next day.This was to supplement her husband’smeager wages, working as a plumber inBrooklyn. Tony also went to college, thento medical school, followed by a residencyin cardiac surgery. Along the way he mar-ried, had five children, and along with hiswife picked up a couple of black belts inkarate. Later in life he switched specialtiesand became an orthopedic surgeon.

Faced with a severe problem in hisown neck, he underwent surgery one dayin Florida; the surgeon was his friend. Thesurgery didn’t go well; he woke up laterthan he expected to; he noticed somethingwasn’t right right away; he couldn’t movehis left arm or shoulder. He called for thenurse. She couldn’t or wouldn’t explainwhat had happened. He called for the

surgeon. The surgeon came in and withtears explained that he had tried to do a good job on the cervical vertebrae, hadbeen a little aggressive and had nicked a nerve. He went on to say how sorry hewas, that he had insurance, and that Tonyshould at least sue him. Tony looked himstraight in the eye and said, “you’re myfriend; why would I want to sue you? I’mnot going to sue you.” And he didn’t. Aftermany months of therapy, Tony regainedlimited use of his left side, but had to limithis full practice of medicine.

Kevin Lawlerwas a fine athlete andhad a long commute from Suffern, NY, into school. He starred in Cross Country, Trackand Baseball. He married happily andbecame a teacher and a good coach.Some twenty years ago he was diagnosedwith MS, Multiple Sclerosis. He lives in anursing home now, and for the last nine-and-a-half years has been confined to awheelchair. I visited him three weeks agofor his birthday. I brought him the classgifts we received at Reunion and we shareda lot of memories and had a lot of laughs.Hismind is fine, his sense of humor is keen;there is energy in his voice and hope inhis heart. He too is tenacious! He asked alot of questions about Xavier, and before Ileft—to catch up with you at your senior

prom—he asked me a favor. I said sure. He said ask your students to pray for all the researchers working on MS and other diseases, that they find a cure, and prevent an awful lot of people fromgetting the disease I have.

Men of the Class of 2009, these threeclassmates of mine would not have thegreat men they are were it not for theirXavier education; I would be my life on it.Men of the Class of 2009, be another JimRiordan in your own way and work forjustice! Be another Tony Scunziano in yourown way and forgive those who harm oroffend you! And be another Kevin Lawlerin your own way and have faith and hopeand cheerfulness even when you’ve beendealt a tough deck in life!

And come the 50th anniversary of yourgraduation, may tales be told of you byone of your own class; of how well youstruggled, how well you lived, now foryourselves but for others. And in thattelling, all shall know that Sons of Xavierare strong and true, faithful to Maroonand Blue! God bless you always!

For a complete list of graduate awardees, please visitwww.xavierhsalumni.org/gradawards.

The Class of 2009 awaits diplomas

Fr. Gatti delivering the commencement address

Fr. Gatti and Mr. LiVigni present Giancarlo Rindone with the Col. Donald G. Cook, USMC ’52 Medal

It’s all aboutSERVICE


Reflection plays a crucial role in life at Xavier.

As soon as young students enter the building to start their freshman

year, Xavier strives hard to give them to the tools, the spirit, and the

education they need to exit as conscientious, inquisitive men.

Juniors who return from Kairos retreats are challenged with finding

ways to effectively share their experiences with others—classmates, friends,

family, loved ones who either were simply were not present on their retreat

or cannot not easily imagine their sons confronting mature issues or

asking “big questions,” nevertheless helping others to confront those

issues or find answers to those questions.

The Xavier man does not stop questioning the world around him upon

graduation, but instead continues searching for and embracing meaning

in his life. But in perhaps no other area is reflection and communication

more crucial right now than among servicemen and women in the United

States Military.

Xavier graduates have served in every major war throughout the

20th century, and their lives have been intertwined with American history.

In recognition of Xavier’s longstanding military tradition, Alumnews is

pleased to announce the start of the Sharing This Story project, an initiative

to collect the first-person, personal stories of Xavier graduates returning

from their deployments and to provide a forum for those individuals

to reflect on and share their experiences both abroad and upon

returning home.

On the following pages, three Xavier graduates, and one sister of a

Xavier graduate write in their own words. In addition, Lt. Col. Roy Campbell,

Xavier’s Senior Army Instructor, writes on the current Xavier regiment.

They have been frank and honest, and have trusted us with accounts of

how they understand—and how they sometimes continue to struggle

to understand—their experiences.

A comprehensive collection of these essays will be gathered and

published in print and digitally, and will also be preserved in the school’s

archives. I would like to invite other graduates servicemen and family

members to contact the school and help continue the project. By sharing

your stories, you will share with the Xavier community a continuing

illustration of Xavier’s strengths on the grounds of spirit and honor.

Thank you, Liz, Pat, Eli, Roy and Doug for your trust, and thank you

for your strength and service.

TheSharing This StoryProject

MICHAEL BENIGNO ’00Director of Alumni Relations

24 ALUMNEWS — AUGUST 2009

When I was asked to share my combat experiencewith Alumnews, I was hesitant. I left the Army in 2007,after ten years of service and five combat deployments,and I never thought much about how often I sharedmy military experience with others. After somereflection, I realized that I was not completely comfortable sharing my experience. I feared upsettingpeople by discussing uncomfortable topics, such asthose related to violence. Additionally, I was conflictedabout discussing, what I can only describe as, theevil I observed in our enemies.

However, despite the horrors of war, I observed agreat amount of good. I witnessed the best in people;I witnessed ordinary people accomplishing extraor-dinary things; I witnessed sacrifice, selfless service,and love for our fellow man. I believe extraordinarytimes call for extraordinary people and I met manyextraordinary people during my military service.These are a few experiences I would like to share:

In the week following the September 11th attacksI met with a young lieutenant, Russell Rippetoe, totell him he had been invited to attend the selectionprogram for the 75th Ranger Regiment. This was achoice assignment for any officer and as such theinvitation was difficult to attain. I told him this wasan incredible time to be a Ranger, because if any unitwere to be called to action, the Rangers would be first.(For those who were not in the military prior to 9-11:back then, soldiers wanted to deploy to combat. Thosewho experienced Somalia, Desert Storm, Panama,and Grenada were greatly admired) Russ was excited,but he told me something that I had not heard fromlieutenant in his position—that the high probabilityof experiencing combat scared him. I was a bit takenback by his honesty. Russ deployed twice with 3rdRanger Battalion and was killed by a suicide bomberon April 3rd, 2003 when he ran to assist a pregnantIraqi woman screaming for help. He, more than any-one I knew, understood the hazard of his profession,accepted the fear that resides with all soldiers, andcourageously gave his life for others.

Regiment in 2004, I witness much of the samecourage and selfless service. In a fierce firefight, I observed four young mortar-men freeze from a dead sprint because of the intense machine gunfire impacting around our position. Their sergeantimmediately sprinted into the gunfire, then called to them “let’s go...get on the gun”. I remember seeingthe lead Ranger take a deep breath, tilt his head downand charged toward the fight. They put the mortarin action and helped quell the attack. They all couldhave stayed behind cover to keep themselves safe,but the sergeant’s audacity and courage inspiredthem to act—not for themselves, but for others. Ishould note that I witnessed the same courage displayed by howitzer crews in the 82nd Airborneduring rocket attacks.

After an ambush in an Afghan valley, the Air Forcecontroller working with me lost his left eye whenour vehicle was hit by an RPG. He was on a stretcherwaiting for an air evacuation when I found him. Hesaw me and said “Sorry sir, I have to go. Please takecare of the guys. I don’t want to leave. Please takecare of the guys.” A few moments later he insistedon walking to the helicopter, so the unit could holdon to the stretcher in case there were more casualties.This is just one of many more examples of soldiersgiving of themselves for the good of others.

I believe war is evil, however it is an amazingthing to witness young men and woman so readilyrisk their lives for something greater then them-selves—to see good prevail over evil. Our servicemensacrifice themselves to give Iraqis and Afghans thechance for a better life. They sacrifice themselves todisrupt terrorist efforts to attack our homeland. Theysacrifice themselves for the man or woman next tothem on the battlefield. Every time I witnessed anextreme situation, I witnessed people concernedmore for others than themselves.

I thank God that there are still so many brave menand women who give of themselves for good of oth-ers. I have lost many friends in Iraq and Afghanistanover the past few years. When I think of them, I reflecton John 5:13, that “Greater love hath no man thanthis, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

Our Selfless ServiceBy Elias Wahesh ’92

Elias Wahesh ’92 is a former Army Major who served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regimentin both Iraq and Afghanistan. His awards include two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, Master Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab. Elias is currently an IT Strategy Consultant for Accenture.


Throughout my life I have known real heroes;people who are willing to put their lives on the linefor a common good whether it is to save a life or tohelp another; people who are selfless, inspiring, tough,and courageous. However, the way I learned aboutthe bravery displayed by these people is through thestories and conversations of others. I have not met a hero based solely on the fact that they themselvesclaim to be one. I feel this is due mostly to the fact thatthese people are either uncomfortable talking abouttheir experience or are too humble to talk about theirown actions. The idea that “real men” do not sharetheir emotions or talk about tough times is somethingthat many grow up with, and to be completely honest,I have adopted myself over the past seven years.

Growing up, I was somewhat unaware of what myfather really did for a living. I knew he was a New YorkCity fireman, but I never conceived what that reallyentailed. I understood his job was to help people,but it wasn’t until later that I was told of some of thecourageous acts that earned him both medals andthe respect of his peers. Looking back, I am amazedat his ability to separate what he saw at work fromhis role as a husband and father at home. After he

was killed in the terrorist attacks at the WorldTrade Center on September 11, 2001, I foundmyself surrounded by his comrades who tookme in as one of their own as we worked in therecovery efforts at Ground Zero. At eighteen-years-old, this was an eye opening experienceand forced me to grow up. It taught me a lotabout what it takes to be a man and drive onwhen times get tough. While working with themwe didn’t talk about what we saw, we didn’t cry,

we basically shut off our emotions and focused ongetting the job done. At the time, I was applying foracceptance into West Point and was told that beingable to handle working at Ground Zero would help if I was deployed to a war zone, and it did.

Since I was denied entry into West Point aftergraduating from Xavier in 2001, it became my goal to reapply while attending Iona College. The eventsof 9/11 only strengthened my desire to serve in theArmy and gave me the motivation to graduate. WhileI was at West Point I was privileged to be mentoredby several combat veterans who had already servedin Iraq and Afghanistan. They gave me insight intowhat it takes to be a leader by sharing some of their

experiences from their deployments. The reality ofwhat we would face after graduation became realwhen an announcement that a graduate had beenkilled in action was made during lunch, followed by a moment of silence. These came too often, but myclass graduated on May 27, 2006 ready for whateverwe would face in the near future.

I deployed to Iraq in March 2008 for a 12 monthdeployment. Throughout this time I served as a PlatoonLeader, responsible for a 25 man combat patrol teamin Baghdad. We served in several capacities rangingfrom helping the local population with their electricityand sewage issues, to conducting raids to capturesuspected terrorists in our area of operation. Whenmy Battalion lost a soldier, I could see how it affectedothers in the unit just as it had affected the firemenand their families after 9/11. This, along with othertraumatic experiences where a soldier is placed inextreme danger, can resurface after returning from a deployment. Instead of dwelling on this experience,many soldiers tend to try and forget. W. H. R. Rivers,the famous anthropologist, describes this as “theattempt to banish from the mind distressing memoriesof warfare or painful affective states which have comeinto being as a result of their war experience.”

Upon returning, I found myself only talking aboutmy deployment when asked and focusing on the goodexperiences I had while deployed. I speak about hand-ing out soccer balls to the local children or a funnyoccurrence that happened. I think that many soldiersare uncomfortable sharing the difficult experienceswith those who were not there, and they feel, thereforeprobably would not understand. In my experience,this is similar in many dangerous jobs. I am not sayingthat this is right, but if I have learned anything it isthat everyone handles challenging times in their ownway. I talk about my deployment to other soldiersboth to reminisce and to share knowledge that mayhelp them during their next deployment overseas.I’m not against sharing stories about my time in Iraq,but when I think about it, I don’t offer the storieseither. Perhaps the best way to gain this informationis to simply ask a veteran to share their experiencesso they are not forgotten.

Having seen real heroes in action with my owneyes, I can only say that I am proud of their service,and the least we can do is continue to support themas they protect us, both home and abroad.

On Quiet HeroismBy Capt. Patrick Dowdell ’01

James Dowdell ’02, Patrick’s brother, is now a firefighter at Ladder 174. James and his mother, Rose Ellen, recentlyattended a scholarship reception at Xavier in gratitude of the scholarship established in memory of Lt. Kevin Dowdell.


Doug LeVien’s promotion to Lt. Col. Took place August 20 at a ceremony held in Philadelphia, Pa.

Teamwork and LeadershipBy Lt. Col. Doug LeVien US Army ’90

In the 19 years since I graduated from Xavier, I have visited and served in more than 30 countries,having been assigned to infantry, mountain, and airborne divisions in South Korea and Iraq, receivingtraining around the world in various specializations,and representing the United States and NATO at D-Day and Battle of the Bulge anniversaries in Europe.Throughout my career, and especially during mymost recent deployment to Afghanistan, my Xaviereducation has followed me.

Xavier’s philosophy of encouraging criticalthought and evaluation that teaches ‘how to think,rather than what to think’ are invaluable learned skillsets. These skills are essential to the U.S. military’scounterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan thatinvolves political, military, economic, cultural, social,religious, and information operations focused onwinning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the population.

As a logistics officer for NATO’s Joint ForcesCommand in the Netherlands, I have been inAfghanistan since the fall of 2008, working at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)headquarters in Kabul. My job has been to coordinateconvoy movements and security efforts alongAfghanistan’s Main Supply Routes to ensure the freedom of movement of security forces and humanitarian organizations throughout the country.

As a result of the efforts of my team, there was a substantial decrease in insurgent attacks againstconvoys on Afghanistan’s highways in January 2009,and all of the United Nations’ World Food Programconvoys, which included over 700 trucks carryingenough wheat to feed more than 1 million peoplefor a month, arrived safely at their destinations without the loss of any trucks or cargo.

In the higher outlook, I am proud to saythat we were responsible for setting the condi-tions for successful freedom of movement for the 41 ISAF nations and over 52,000 international soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines working to make Afghanistan an insurgent and terrorist-free country.

While at Xavier, I was a cadet in Xavier’sJROTC program, which taught me the impor-tance of teamwork and leadership and providedopportunities to build character and confidence that have influenced my role as a mentor, coach, and teacher to younger soldiers.

During a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq that began in 2005, I served with a task forcecharged with improving speed and securityon ground and air routes used to move criticalsupplies to military bases throughout Iraq. I also lent technical expertise to a project thatestablished a NATO-supported Iraqi Training,Education, and Doctrine Center that provided logistical training for Iraqi military forces and civiliancontractors. It was with great pride and humility thatI accepted the Bronze Star for my work.

I can most definitely see parallels between theoutreach efforts of my alma mater and the effortsthat I have been involved in to promote peace inwar-torn areas. Xavier’s example of building and partnering in a caring, respectful, and multiculturalcommunity is a value that the U.S. Military and NATO’sInternational Security Assistance Force are currentlyconducting with Afghanistan’s national army andpolice. Building trust and confidence and overcom-ing cultural differences improve cooperation andcoordination required for a successful future.


On August 16, 2006 Xavier High School lost one oftheir Alumni. Lance Corporal Michael Dennis Glover ’97was killed while serving his country in Al Anbar, Iraq.My parents lost their only son and I my little brother.The aftermath of this loss was a daily struggle of put-ting back together a shattered family. You go on thebest you can and put the pieces back together butnothing fits the way it did before. After losing MichaelI became intent on sharing the story of his life. I believeMichael was in a state of grace during the last fewyears of his life.Michael chose a life of service duringa time when our country was prospering. He turnedaway from the safety and comforts America offeredand chose to leave for a land full of War and HumanSuffering. He did this so that the number of Americansgrieving a loved one due to War or Terrorism stayssmall. That was Michael’s goal and he gave his life forit. I wanted to focus on how proud he was to stand upfor his country but mostly how he came to realize thathe was compelled to live for something bigger thanhimself. By sharing his story, I hoped to inspire othersto find their strength and courage to face their lifechallenges along with making time to serve others in need.

Losing a loved one to War is a burden a familycannot face alone. Once the shock of the way Michael’slife ended, my ability to publicly honor my brotherfaltered. Xavier High School is where Michael’s bestfriendships were formed and cemented. So strongwere these friendships that they never wavered fromboyhood to manhood. His Xavier brothers AdamLynch ’97 and Martin Tubridy ’97, along with ourcousin Mary Hayden that have provided enormouscomfort and support by forming the Friends of MikeGlover Organization. Through this organization somany people have been able to outwardly show theirrespect and love for Michael and his sacrifice. TheFriends of Mike Glover have established a scholarshipin his name to be awarded annually to a student atXavier High School. The Friends of Mike Glover haveraised funds for the scholarship through two eventsheld in Xavier’s Gymnasium. The organization hasalso created numerous web pages where donationsare accepted and T-Shirts and Bumper Stickers aresold. Xavier has further recognized Michael’s Sacrificeby creating the LCpl. Michael Glover ’97 Medal, which

will be awarded annually during graduation ceremoniesto a Xavier senior that best defines Mike’s selflesscharacteristics. The gratitude by his family for every-one who has helped persevere his legacy; family,friends, Xavier, Marines, and strangers is immense andwe carry every tribute and remembrance in our hearts.The Scholarship in Michael’s name will serve as areminder of the need for men like him. It will keep hisstory alive for generations of Xavier’s “Men for Others”to learn from. The good of what will come fromsomething so tragic will be immeasurable.

Out of the numerous memorials and fundraisersheld in Mike’s honor, The Friends of Mike Glover eventstruly capture Michael’s spirit & love of family and friends.It is horrible to lose someone you love and who wasso vital to your world due to something so hard tounderstand and still so unbelievable. During thosemoments of frustration and grief, thoughts of walkinginto Xavier’s Gymnasium on what would have beenMichael’s thirtieth birthday, with the balloons thatspelled out Michael’s name, pictures of him and his biggrin and the support of all his friends help to makethose hard moments without him more bearable. The Friends of Mike Glover have not only extended to Michael the respect he deserves for being a greatpatriot of this country but more importantly a lovedand outstanding human being.

Shortly after Michael died I read a quote inNewsweek that has stayed with me: “Nations go to war over ideas and politics, but minds can changeand politics may shift. What is constant is the essentialhumanity of the warrior, and the pain of those leftbehind, who reach for hands they can no longer touchand listen for voices they can no longer hear.”

There was no doubt or hesitation on Michael’s parton what he chose to do with his life. He wrote to mefrom Iraq of a Muslim saying that helped him keepthings in perspective. “Al huna du Allah.” It means “It’sGod’s Way.” Michael took the time to search his souland listened to what he felt he needed to do whileon this earth. He had faith and trust in God’s Way.

Thank you Adam Lynch, Martin Tubridy and mydear cousin Mary Hayden along with all the Friendsof Mike Glover for helping to keep our Warriors Spiritalive and forever with us! May his Spirit and strengthassist us in trusting God’s Way.

Something Bigger than HimselfLiz Doherty

Visit the Friends of Michael Glover website at www.friendsofmikeglover.com.

When LCpl. Michael Glover ’97 was killed in action in August 2006, his family set out to share his sense of sacrifice and to tell his story. Liz Doherty, Michael’s sister, reflects on keeping his legacy alive.


Lt. Col. Roy Campbell serves as Senior Army Instructor of Xavier’s JROTC Regiment.

Xavier’s Ignatian identity as a Jesuit institution of secondary higher education hinges directly on the study and practice of spiritual warfare. One mightargue that Xavier’s historical identity as “that militaryschool in Manhattan” builds upon this Jesuit legacy by offering the study of military warfare to today’s students as well.

Spiritual warfare? Military warfare? Where is the commonality?

Both concepts use strikingly similar vocabulary—armor, enemy, and weaponry, to name only a few common words. (Indeed, early American Protestanthymnography utilized extensive martial language in works such as “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “TheBattle Hymn of the Republic” quite liberally.) As GeneralDouglas MacArthur famously remarked in his FarewellAddress to the Corps of Cadets at West Point in 1962,the soldier above all prays for peace because he knowsthe abject horrors of war.

What role, then, should the study of military historyplay in 21st Century Xavier pedagogy? Even thoughsome marvel at “why we are still throwing rocks andstones at each other to resolve our differences today,”two millennia after the Resurrection of Christ, themournful reality is that worldly peace does not appearto be right around the corner. Thus, it behooves us to provide a broad orientation for Xavier students on the role of military society in both the past and the future of Western Civilization.

Today’s students have a keen interest in under-standing the reasons for our current involvement inthe Middle East. Additionally, many Xavier men have a fascination with the current tactics and advancedweaponry of world armies. (Perhaps it stems from theirexposure to popular video games or to the DiscoveryChannel!) Other students question the very need for a Department of Defense.

Clearly, there are fertile grounds for solidly reflective education in the midst of such a variety of student concerns!

Xavier students hear presentations in classfrom soldiers from a variety of conflicts, World War II,Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Students admire such menand honor their sacrifices during thoughtful and respectful question and answer periods.Xavier graduates such as John Walsh ’39, and George Constantine ’02 are only a few of the many visitors (American, French, British,and Russian) who have addressed the MilitaryHistory Club in recent years.

Such contacts and experiences help to ground ourstudents with a sense of perspective on military affairs.When today’s graduates are serving in leading positionsin business, government, and the various professions,they will recognize that the military establishment,while not without its own share of human corruptionand failure, stands as a bulwark to preserve our poster-ity under God and country against those who wouldthreaten our way of life as a free people.

After the onset of the Volunteer Army in the early1970s, the military intellectual class had begun tolament a perceived disconnect between our militarysociety and the larger American society that it serves.Some suggest that the problem of civil-military rela-tions has reached a crisis stage in Administrations andin U.S. Congresses in which only a very few personshave actually worn the uniform of our country.

In the not so distant past, Xavier graduates pursuedmilitary careers in substantial numbers, and Xavier’sranks of highly decorated servicemen from all branches(Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, andMerchant Marine) “stand for all the world to see!”Graduates continue to volunteer for military servicetoday, and their contributions are of the highest caliber and bring great credit upon themselves, their families, Xavier, and the nation.

Xavier graduates rectify civil-military relationsproblems within their own spheres of influence, largelydue to their exposure to a level-headed approach tothe challenges and dynamics of international relationsand military affairs, an appreciation gained in the hallowed halls on 16th Street.

Xavier TodayXavier TodayBy Lt. Col. Roy Campbell


It’s another year, and there is another new set of faces

here at Xavier! Alumnews began profiling new staff members

in the February 2008 issue, and the initial piece received lots

of positive feedback.

The faculty and staff at Xavier have the most contact

with our students, and it is important for our alumni to be

introduced to them. Here, six new members of the Xavier

community respond to questions in their own words, giving

a look into their individual perspective of life on 16th Street.

New Faces at Xavier

Jessica GarciaMathematics

Hometown: Pueblo, Colorado

High School you graduated from: Pueblo Central High School

College(s) you graduated from and degree: Manhattan College, SecondaryEducation/Mathematics

Favorite TV show: The Simpsons

Favorite food: Cooked oatmeal with bananas and peanut butter

Best book you’ve ever read: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Thing that annoys you most: Negativity or dishonesty

What type of music do you listen to: Whatever makes my soul feel good

Something you can’t live without: Communication

Favorite spot in NYC: Gaelic Park in theBronx on 239th Street and Broadway

Favorite summer activity: Playing soccer in the evening

Worst job that you’ve ever had: Kitchen Assistant (over-worked and under paid!)

Do you collect anything: Unique socks

Habit you’re trying to break: Sleeping in on the weekends

What you do the minute you get home: Change out of my work attire

Favorite movie: It’s a toss up betweenDrop Dead Fred or Little Monsters

Favorite Quote: “I have no Special talents. I am only passionately curious.” — Albert Einstein

Jennifer VelazquezMathematics

Hometown: Queens, New York

High School you graduated from: St. John’s Prep.

College(s) you graduated from and degree: St. John’s University

Favorite TV show: Sex and the City, The Cosby Show

Favorite food: Mom’s home cooking

Best book you’ve ever read: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

What type of music do you listen to: Mostly R&B

Something you can’t live without: My sister and parents

Favorite spot in NYC: The Brooklyn promenade

Favorite summer activity: Tanning at the beach with my best friend

Worst job that you’ve ever had: Cashier at Orange Julius (yuck!)

Hidden talent: Singing

Do you collect anything: Pens

What you do the minute you get home:Change into something more comfortable

Favorite movie: Brown Sugar

Favorite Quote: “You will remember the things you did for a while, but you willremember the people you did them with forever.”

Mark Mongelluzzo, Esq.Director of Annual Giving

Hometown: Bayside, New York

High School you graduated from: Holy Cross High School in Flushing, Queens

College(s) you graduated from and degree: Yale, BA in History; Boston University, JD

Favorite TV show: Tie: “Fox Business News” and AntiquesRoad Show

Favorite food: Broccoli Rabe

Best book you’ve ever read: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens—Mrs. Haversham rocks! I want a piece of that cake!

Most embarrassing situation: Failing the bar exam…and then receivinga letter 10 days later notifying me that I passed! The Bar Examiners made amistake

Thing that annoys you most: People who walk slowly

Something you can’t live without: My wife and two children

Favorite spot in NYC: The promenade of the Brooklyn Bridgeon a cool Spring day

Favorite summer activity: Floating aimlessly in the ocean atAtlantic beach/visiting historical sites

Worst job that you’ve ever had: As an attorney, attending heated courtconferences

Favorite Quote: “The only thing that’s new is the history you don’t know”—President Harry S. Truman



Gregory NorrisScience and Religious Education

Hometown: Durban, South Africa

High School you graduated from: St Henry’s Marist Brothers College

College(s) you graduated from and degree: University of Kwa Zulu Natal (South Africa), B. Ed Honours Secondary Science

Favorite TV show: House

Favorite food: South African Chicken Balti Curry

Best book you’ve ever read:Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Most embarrassing situation: Hugging a complete stranger who I thought was my mother when I was about 6 years old

Something you can’t live without: Rugby

Favorite spot in NYC: Watching the sungo down on the West Side

Favorite summer activity: Going to the beach

Worst job that you’ve ever had: Waiting tables

Hidden talent: I can sing and dance

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption or The Mission

Favorite Quote: “I said to the man who stood at thegate of the year: ‘Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown.’And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’” —Marie Louise Haskins

Kacey BushEnglish

Hometown: I don’t really have a hometown! Growing up, my familymoved a lot. Home is wherever my family is living at the time.

High School you graduated from:Manalapan High School (Manalapan, NJ)

College(s) you graduated from and degree: Syracuse University, BA in English andSecondary Education (double major)

Favorite food: Anything that involves cheese

Best book: I definitely don’t have onefavorite book. I really believe that wordsmean different things to you at differentpoints in your life. However, two booksthat have really resonated with me are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Leeand Beloved by Toni Morrison.

Thing that annoys you most: Ignorance

Favorite spot in NYC: Central Park, especially in the spring.

Favorite Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Evening, and The Departed

Hobbies: Drawing and painting

Favorite summer activity: The beach is my favorite place in world. I spend as much time as I can at the beach during the sum-mer!

Mrs. Veronica AlversonHeadmaster’s Office

Hometown: New York City

High School you graduated from: St. Michael’s Academy

College(s) you graduated from and degree: Pace University and NYU

Favorite food: Soft shell crabs and lobster

Thing that annoys you most: Rude and ignorant people

What type of music do you listen to: All kinds, but I’m a big Springsteen fan

Something you can’t live without: My family

Favorite spot in NYC: Soho; it’s myhome. I was born and raised in NYC and still live on the same street

Favorite summer activity: Sitting on the beach, tanning and water skiing

Worst job that you’ve ever had: Working at a beach club down the shore and being stung by bees everyday

Do you collect anything: Shoes and clothes

Habit you’re trying to break: Buying shoes and clothes!

Favorite movie: The Godfather

Favorite Quote: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”


Reunion Gala 2009

On May 1st and 2nd members of all classes ending with 4s and 9s celebrated their Xavier reunion at events in the school and throughout the city. The events rangedfrom a casual but well-attended event at M.J. Armstrong’sPub for the Class of 2004 to an elegant event for the GoldenClass of 1959, celebrating their 50th reunion on the Friday night of that weekend.

On Saturday, over 350 graduates and their guests cameback to the school for an afternoon of school tours and

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cocktail receptions before enjoying a wonderful dinner. Several classes did especially well with their reunion

year giving goals, including the Class of ’59, which raised$79,830.00.

The Advancement Office wishes to extend its congratula-tions and gratitude to all the reunion classes who helpedmake this year’s reunion weekend very special.

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1 9 8 41 9 8 4 1 9 8 91 9 8 9

1 9 9 41 9 9 4 1 9 9 91 9 9 9

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1 9 7 41 9 7 4 1 9 7 91 9 7 9


1940Daniel Stevens has published twobooks: Stories for the Future and Letter to Lincoln after retiring from a career as a school superintendent and professor of Education/Psychology at C.W. Post College.

1947Harold Brauner joined other 1947grads for a Christmas dinner celebration.Joe Farrell and wife Joan will be cele-brating their 58th wedding anniversaryin July. William Goltermanwas honoredby the Staten Island Rotary Club for his 50 years of service to rotary.

1948Daniel Fitzgerald is pleased to announce the publication of his third novel, titled Donovan’s Dilemma.

1949John J. O’Neill, a proud father of five and grandfather of seventeen,writes that “all is well.”

1950Allan Ahearne has retired from veterinary practice and has moved to Cooperstown, NY where he enjoyshis time playing golf, tennis, and sailing.Allan would love to hear from classmatesat [email protected]. Robert Fickewas honored at the N.H. State Conventionof the Knights of Columbus for his manyyears of service as state membershipdirector. Hank Lavery recently welcomedhis newest grandchild, Carrigan Jean,into the family.

1951Neil Hickey splits the year betweenCape Cod and Jupiter, FL. He would love to hear from classmates at [email protected]. KevinMcFadden teaches part-time in the Life and Elderhostel program at MountSt. Mary College in Newburgh, NY.James A. Walsh had his first crimenovel, Death Comes for the Provost.For more information, see www.johntk-walsh.net.

1952Robert Robertazzi and his wife, Elaine, have retired from their businessafter 33 years. Frank Sherry and hiswife, Barbara, toured the islands of Java and Bali prior to their son’s wedding in December 2008.

1957Ray Madonna and Bob DiAisoare coordinating the painting of a portrait of Vietnam war hero Colonel John Ripley USMC.

1958John Corrado has been designated as a life fellow in the American Collegeof Healthcare Executives. CharlieCrawford and his wife Eileen have relocated to their newly completedhome on Cape Cod.

1959Lawrence Daly writes: “After 25 years in the US Army and 10 years consultingand training in Project Management, Iam living my college dream of teachingat a Jesuit high school—Brebeuf JesuitPrep, in Indiana. Michael Toner led hisHoly Cross Alumni Swimmer Teammatesas he came in second in his age groupin the 44th annual Traversata delloStretto swim competition.

1961Joseph F. Franlin and his wife, Judy,have relocated to New Hope, PA whileJoe continues to serve as a senior advisor in a company he co-foundedcalled Newstar.

1963Thomas Nipper and daughter, Karen,both medical doctors, did a two-weekmedical mission in Peru, performingorthopedic operations on poor peoplefrom the Andes Mountain region.

1964Paul McLoughlin’s show featuringinterviews of business book authorscalled McLoughlin At Work can be heard on Webtackradio.net

1965Robert H. Posteraro joined theDepartment of Clinic Administrationand Rehabilitation Counseling at Texas Tech University, where he will be teaching practice management and developing a course in biomedicalinformatics. Peter Hansen retired fromthe World Bank in 2007 and now livesin Paraguay.

1967William Strasser was recently appointed Director of the Saddle RiverValley Bank based in Saddle River, NJ.

1968Fred Koechley has completed a six-year term on the Board ofDirectors of the United ServiceOrganizations. James Mantleis the program coordinator for theBrenda Pillaes Asthma EducationProgram at Long Island University.

1969Greg Belli and Robert O’Grady hadtheir own mini reunion over St. Patrick’sDay. Casey Rogers writes: “My wife andI have moved to Honolulu where I amthe Chief of Ophthalmology for thePacific Islands Health Care System forthe Department of Veterans Affairs.”

1972Charles Dupont writes: “the tank is old and worn but still going forward.”Charles is beginning his 19th year with the San Diego City Public WorksDepartment and lives in the AnzaBorrego Desert region. AnthonyPiantieri recently visited Xavier to drop off a copy of his first book, Pont Max: Summer Sojourns in the Rome of the Popes. Part travelogue, part tourists guidebook, the book provides a pedestrian history of Rome,a world of art, architecture, and men of genius—sinners and saints, pontiffsand prince—that defined an age. His book can be purchased atwww.deckardpress.com or at Strand Bookstore.

Class Notes


1973Edward Zampellamarried formerXavier cheerleader Deborah Carrollthirty years ago, and the couple has three children.

1974Chris Akhermes is an executive director for CBS Studios International in Los Angeles and would love to hear from other alums in the area. Tim Moriarty, a support contractor for the Department of HomelandSecurity, has been able to reconnectwith fellow Xavier classmates on thenetworking website facebook.com.

1975William “Chip” Stokes celebrated his 10th year as Rector of St. Paul’sEpiscopal Church and will be a deputy at the church’s general convention in July.

1976Manny Barros is a senior engineeringmanager with Raytheon in Largo, FL.Edward McKeown, a manager at CanalInsurance Company in Charlotte,recently published a book entitled the Sha’Daa Anthology.

1978David Velazquez was promoted to Assistant Special Agent for theFederal Bureau of Investigation for the state of New Jersey.

1984James Curley is happy to report that he and his wife have traveled to China to adopt two daughters.

1986Mark Mulvanerty was promoted to Senior Client Partner at Korn/FerryInternational and was selected as oneof the “40 under 40” awardees by thePhiladelphia Business Journal.

1987David Campion received tenure at Lewis & Clark College and will be spending the upcoming year in Hong Kong as a Fulbright Scholar.

1988Frank Arlia is a real estate broker for Manhattan properties focusing on construction, management and mortgages.

1990Richard A. Grani lives in Miami with his wife and three children. Patrick O’Connell is now residing in Los Alamitos, CA with wife Lauri and their three children.

1996Marc Sigismondo has been a memberof the Philadelphia Phillies baseballorganization for the past four years.

1997B. Gregory Onza has been extensivelyvolunteering in his free time.

1998Joseph Minucci completed his 4th yearas a federal agent for the Departmentof Homeland Security and was recentlypromoted to Gunnery Sergeant in theU.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

2000Jamie Keane works for Merrill Lynch.

2002Eric Fischler works for the MTA in Manhattan.

2003Christopher Orlando is currentlydeployed in Iraq as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

2004Patrick Sezen is entering his secondyear at Suffolk Law School. Stephen T.Umschreif graduated cum laude with a BBA degree and an MBA Degree inpublic accounting from Pace University,as well as a minor in law in May 2009.

2005Angelo Bonvino graduated from Iona College. Jeffrey Concertograduated cum laude from the Schoolof Communications at the University of Miami and was awarded MostOutstanding Student in the MotionPicture Division. Jacob Fountaingraduated from the Citadel on May 9th.William Lembo is on active duty withthe US Army Airborne that will bedeployed in the later summer forAfghanistan. Carol Muraco graduatedfrom St. Joseph’s University. Eric Saaattended Barack Obama’s PresidentialInauguration as part of the CongressionalYouth Leaders. Andrew Virga, a gradu-ate of SUNY Buffalo, says “hi” to all hisXavier buddies.

2006John DeMarinis, a third year student at St. Johns University, is interning with Met Life Co. this summer.

2007Kevin Kenefick studied abroad this past spring at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia.

Class Notes

James Weatherall ’74 recently wrote Alumnews to congratulate his classmate, Robert Burns ’74after Robert received his second master’s degree from the School of Systems and Enterprisesat the Stevens Institute of Technology on May 21, 2009. James wrote: “My wife has a seniorexecutive role in the Stevens Administration, as VP for University Enrollment and Administration,and we live on the Stevens campus in Hoboken, NJ. Bob and I reconnected at our 35th Reunionat Xavier in late April, and we had a great time with our wives talking over dinner about thosegood old times. When the discussion turned to more recent events, and then the topic of Stevenscame up, we soon realized that it was indeed a small world, and that we would be seeing eachother again at Commencement only a month later!”

From left: Robert Burns ’74with his wife, Rose, JamesWeatherall ’74, with his wife,Dr. Maureen Weatherall.


DEATHSAlumniValentine Meehan ’26, February 5, 2009

Rudolph A. Blas ’30, July 15, 2006

John Ravel ’30, August 31, 2008

Gerard J. Zopf ’33, July 16, 2008

John H. Galbraith ’35, March 17, 2009

Harold Masem ’36, January 26, 2008

Daniel J. O’Connell ’36, January 5, 2009

Charles A Hofmann, Sr. ’37, November 19, 2008

Henry Cooney ’38, November 1, 2007

Frank Tully ’38, August 10, 2008

Louis R. Ford, Jr. ’39, February 7, 2008

William H. Burgess ’41, December 30, 2008

Edward Lantier ’41, June 9, 2007

John Austin Powers ’44, May 23, 2009

Frank Geoghegan ’45, December 10, 2008

Michael Ingenito ’46, March 19, 2007

Frank McCann ’47, February 12, 2007

Malcolm James Fraser ’48, May 29, 2009

Anthony H. Adamovic ’51, October 24, 2007

John Robert Delaney ’51, March 25, 2009

Thomas Halikias ’51, February 8, 2009

Peter Hanigan, Jr. ’51, October 11, 2008

Eugene T. Johner ’51, February 7, 2009

Joseph A. McVay ’51, December 20, 2008

Edward Brent ’52, December 21, 2008

John F. Buckley ’52, December 25, 2008

Russell F. Schuck ‘52, August 25, 2005

Alan J. Griffith ’54, April 22, 2009

Emmanuel J. Murgola ’54, February 5, 2009

Joseph Aquila ’55, October 6, 2005

John Koenig ’60, July 28, 2008

Stephen Stelter ’64, December 23, 2007

Anthony S. Salerno ’65, November 16, 2008

Robert Rainieri ’68, May 21, 2007

Frank Careri ’69, December 27, 2008

Lawrence Rice ’72, February 8, 2009

Carlos O. Llorente ’74, February 13, 2007

Charles A. Hofmann, Jr. ’75, March 21, 2009

Juan G. Diaz, February 26, 2007

Robert F. Munsen ’99, August 2, 2007

FamilyThomas Alexander, father of

Jermaine ’05, Dwayne ’07, and Christopher ’08, April 30, 2009

Anne R. Aldridge, mother-in-law of Kevin McLaughlin ’74, June 8, 2009

Alice Buckley, mother of James ’81 and Patrick ’82, April 20, 2009

Nancy Callahan, mother of Timothy ’03, April 5, 2009

Augustine Casella, mother of Michael ’82 and Joseph ’83, January 12, 2009

Antonio D’Alessio, father of Sean ’06, March 4, 2009

Louis J. DeGennaro, mother of Mark ’76, November 30, 2008

Madaline Gadaleta, mother of Dominick ’78 and grandmother of Anthony ’03, February 11, 2009

Bernadine Gannon, mother of Joseph ’64 and Paul ’75, March 24, 2009

Laura J. Healey, mother of Brett ’00, March 25, 2009

Camille Hogan, mother of William ’81, December 23, 2007

MilepostsIN MEMORIAM Malcolm James Fraser ’48 died on May 29, 2009. Mr. Fraser worked as a research scientist for

Westinghouse Research Laboratories in two Pennsylvania plants and was part of a three-man team that developed superconducting wire. He went on to serve as vice president of technology atCopperweld Steel Corporation, held numerous patents and built plants and equipment throughout his career. His wife, Rose-Marie, wrote “’Mac’ always spoke highly of the priests and brothers who taught him at Xavier. He often mentioned the hours of ‘Jug’ that he had to serve—until Xavier oncewon a particular sports event against your highly regarded adversary, and the Headmaster declared all standing “Jug” hours forgiven! He was proud of the years he spent at Xavier and the discipline hewas taught, which gave him a great respect for the Jesuits.”


Eva Krajlev, mother of Kevin ’11, March 27, 2009

Donald F. Maguire, father of Robert ’91 and James ’94, June 8, 2009

Barbara Murray, sister of Robert Robotti ’71, March 21, 2009

James O’Toole, father of Timothy ’65 and Michael ’67, May 6, 2009

Kathleen Riconda, wife of Harry ’45, former Xavier faculty, June 3, 2009

Claire Rollins, wife of Paul ’50, August 21, 2006

Michael F. Romo, father of Michael ’80 and Raphael ’82, February 10, 2009

Cecelia Roche, wife of Maurice ’44, April 12, 2009

Catherine F. Smith, mother of Michael ’76, April 9, 2007

Anthony Summa, father of Don ’79, March 30, 2009

Joan M. Venino, wife of Thomas ’45, March 8, 2009

FriendsTheresa Caliendo, mother of

Philip, Xavier faculty, February 8, 2009

Joseph G. Gerics, father of Joseph Gerics, former Headmaster,April 13, 2009

Edward J. Heavey, SJ, former Prefect of Discipline at Xavier,March 25, 2009

Joan Nyahay, mother of Regina Valinoti, Xavier faculty, January 22, 2009

Margaret S. O’Shaughnessy, sister of Bridget Galvin, former Xavier faculty, February 1, 2008

Linda Salvati, former Xavier librarian, November 10, 2008

BIRTHSMatthew Robert Maguire,

January 29, 2007Kerry Hagan and Robert D. Maguire ’91

WEDDINGSJohn Brenkovich ’87 and Stacie Jordan,

November 7, 2008

Matthew T. Strong ’99 and Jennifer Callinan,July 2, 2009

Edmund Sweeney ’84 and Lesley Belden, May 16, 2009

Tim Williamson ’00 and Christine Burns weremarried June 6, 2009 at St. Ignatius Church on the campus of Boston College. The couplethen went to Italy for their honeymoon.


Xavier’s Facebook fan page was launched

in the Spring of 2009 to enable the popular

social networking site to act as a gathering

place for Xavier alumni.

To set up a new account on Facebook,

simply go online to www.facebook.com

and create an account. Once you log in,

use the search tool to find “Xavier High

School,” then click the icon with the school

seal marked “Xavier High School Alumni

Facebook Page” and hit “Become a Fan.”

Since its launch, over 500 Xavier alumni

have become fans of the page and have

been linked to one another.

Already a member of the Xavier Online Community?

Then log onto Xavier’s Facebook Fan PageSchool news • discussion boards • event photos • upcoming events

Explore your legacy.NewThis Month...

Use Your IRA to Help OthersIf you are 70 years and six months of age or older,

we hope you’ll take advantage of this gift that lets

you witness the benefits of your generosity.

Giving In Tough Times Can Provide Morefor Your Heirs and Cut TaxesAmericans today are anxious about their money.

Their stock values are falling and their 401(k) plans

are so low that it’s hard to open the quarterly

statements. It may be the wrong time to think

about charitable giving—or is it?

What to Do After a Loved One DiesThe death of a close relative is one of the most

heartbreaking and difficult events you can

experience. In a time such as this, we hope this

list will help you navigate the important financial

decisions you’ll need to make in the first month.

To read these articles, please go to:www.xavierhsalumni.org

Then click on“Planned Giving Advice”

For more information please contact us:

Joseph Gorski 212.924.7900 ext. 1539or [email protected]

Loual Puliafito 212.924.7900 ext. 1611or [email protected]

Explore your legacy.

Alumnews Calendar Xavier Societyand Loyola AssociatesReceptionSeptember 23, 2009

Maroon and Blue DaySeptember 25, 2009

President’sCouncil ReceptionSeptember 30, 2009

President’sCouncil DinnerOctober 8, 2009

Westchester areaAlumni ReceptionOctober 22, 2009

Xavier High SchoolOpen HouseOctober 24, 2009

Parents PhonathonOctober 26-28, 2009

Chicago areaAlumni ReceptionOctober 28, 2009

Northern New Jerseyarea alumni ReceptionNovember 19, 2009

Turkey BowlFootball Rallyand Young AlumniReceptionNovember 25, 2009

Philadelphia areaAlumni ReceptionDecember 1, 2009

Washington,D.C. areaAlumni ReceptionDecember 2, 2009

Beefsteak DinnerJanuary 22, 2010

Xavier High SchoolOpen HouseJanuary 30, 2010

West Coast areaAlumni ReceptionsFebruary 1-4, 2010

FloridaAlumni ReceptionsFebruary 25–March 5, 2010

Career DayMarch 22, 2010

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDManchester, NHPermit No. 206

30West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6302

August 2009 Alumnews

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