Alumni gather in California, Florida
Alumni gathered at events from San Francisco to Naples to reconnect with each other and their SJ network.
CALIFORNIA
This past month, Headmaster Michael Welch ’78 and Director of Development Eric Butler ’02 headed to California to help strengthen our Pioneer network, learn about the passion, innovation, and creativity our alumni bring to their work on the West Coast, and update them on the current state of Saint John’s.
Former Trustee Bill Tanona '92 brought a small group of alumni together for dinner where Bill emphasized the importance of creating and cultivating a new generation of Pioneer leaders at Saint John’s. In many ways, the conversations and visits held in San Francisco emphasized how much of a broad impact our alumni are having through their varied professions. While in Northern California, Michael and Eric met and united alumni across a variety of fields: law, consulting, finance, technology, architecture, non-profit management, and education.
In Los Angeles, John Keenan ’88 treated area alumni to an unforgettable VIP pre-game reception and LA Kings game at the downtown Staples Center. As alumni swapped Saint John’s stories in the Center’s Green Room, attendees could hear the sound of soccer balls bounce off the exterior walls as the Kings warmed up before their 2-1 victory against the Oilers. The highlight of the night came when John presented Headmaster Welch with a customized Kings’ jersey to celebrate Michael’s fifteen years of service at the school.
While in Southern California, Saint John’s also visited with Mike Pardee ’88 at The Mission, a high-end visual effects studio in Venice. Mike and his team were behind the CG magic found in the most memorable (at least for Patriots fans) commercial of this past year: Nike’s Snow Day. Former alumni director Joe Lane ’56, always said, “Everywhere you go, you’ll find a Saint John’s man.” In this case, you can even find the mark of a Saint John’s alumnus during a Monday Night Football commercial break.
Check out pictures from SJ's visit to California in our alumni photo album.
FLORIDA
The tour continued in Florida, where Alex Zequeira P’19, Saint John’s next headmaster, joined to introduce himself to alumni ranging from the 1940s through 2015. Receptions were held on both the West and East Coasts of Florida where alumni, parents, and grandparents united at the Naples Yacht Club, hosted by Jack ’56 and Judy Shields, and Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, hosted by Paul Tinsley ’64.
While in Florida, Alex was able to meet some of Saint John’s most loyal families. Throughout these introductions, the themes of community, academic excellence, faith, and brotherhood persisted. Whether or an alumnus from the Temple Street era or from last year’s graduating class, our alumni help prove the core tenets of a Saint John’s education have remained consistent throughout the ages. Browse through photos from the 2016 Florida alumni & friends of SJ receptions.
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