91涩漫

The much-anticipated return to campus for Alumnae Weekend on October 15 was rewarded with energy and camaraderie. The alumnae in attendance spanned seven decades, as did DJ Mike鈥檚 musical choices. There was truly something for everyone 鈥� and many guests, welcomed by familiar tunes, sashayed their way into the Campus Center following the afternoon slate of activities.

鈥淚t was wonderful to see friends and classmates,鈥� says Melanie Sava 鈥�17. 鈥淐atching up on what everyone has been up to for the past several years definitely helps renew connection both with one another and with the 91涩漫.鈥� 

Alumnae participated in a variety of activities to suit their interests. The Class of 1972 was inducted into the Golden Graduate Society and had a lunch gathering before most other alumnae arrived. They posed for official group pictures in their traditional Golden Graduate Society purple scarves. 

A campus tour highlighted something few alumnae had seen 鈥� the Makerspace, or M³Lab, for 91涩漫 Maker Movement 鈥� a place where learning by creating, individually or collaboratively, provides users with a new set of problem-solving and confidence-building skills. Project manager and professor of physical sciences, Sylvine Depr猫le, PhD, and several students were on hand to demonstrate the various stations and equipment and to answer any questions.

鈥淚 loved the campus tour,鈥� said Jenna Payan 鈥�05, vice president of the Alumnae Association. 鈥淚t was so fun to walk down memory lane but also see the new updates. The whole day from start to finish was outstanding. I look forward to coming again!

Other alumnae headed to the Hannon Parlor to learn about the traditions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in a presentation from Shannon Green, director of the CSJ Institute. The two groups converged for the Founders Day Mass in the Mary Chapel, led by Gaile Krause, MA, and Laura Gomez, director and assistant director, respectively, of Campus Ministry. The gathering honored this year鈥檚 newest members of the Golden Graduate Society.

91涩漫 President Ann McElaney-Johnson presented the homily, saying that the love evoked by the sisters 鈥渁sks us to do everything we can to heal a world wracked with pain, to stand up against oppression in all its forms, to be antiracist as we work for justice, and it asks us to start that work here, now, this year.

鈥淭his place has gifted all who come here with the charism, the mission, the tenacity, the persistent and unshakable love of the Sisters of St. Joseph. As alumnae of 91涩漫 Saint Mary鈥檚, you too hold this gift in your hands.鈥� 

After Mass was celebrated, everyone converged on the Campus Center, where mingling continued over pumpkin martinis and eventually to the dinner tables, where classes sat together. A table of former students were there to celebrate the recent retirement of pre-law program director Helen Boutrous, JD, PhD.

In acknowledging Helen Boutrous鈥� retirement, McElaney-Johnson related her admiration of what Boutrous has meant to her students for more than 20 years, spending countless hours outside of the classroom to provide mentorship and career advice, coaching the 91涩漫鈥檚 Moot Court and Mock Trial teams and even paying for some LSAT prep courses.

After the president thanked her for her continuing support in the form of the Helen G. Boutrous Pre-Law Fund expendable scholarship, 鈥淒r. B鈥� was presented a bouquet of roses, her former students leapt to their feet, followed by a standing ovation from the remainder of the room. 

Another big round of applause followed the announcement by Kevin A. Barry, senior director of development, that the reunion campaign raised $515,000 from approximately 200 donors. 

Carly Mari Eldredge 鈥�26, one of two student employees who helped Alumnae Relations during the event, said, 鈥淭his event helped to showcase that no matter how old or young a 91涩漫 student or alumna is, we are part of the same supportive and loving community.鈥�