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Message from the President of the The National Alumni Council (NAC) has expanded on many of the activities initiated last year. We have started our chapter revitalization project by sending questionnaires to alumni in Bergen County, N.J., Fairfield County, Conn., Albany, N.Y., and the Western tier of New York State. Our data shows a large concentration of alumni in these areas. Based on the answers to these queries, we will develop alumni programs and activities that are pertinent to each area. Chapter chairpersons have been selected and will be contacting the alumni in their regions. Additionally, we are in the process of expanding our vista to other areas, and eventually all alumni will be asked to participate. Our plan is to make the National Alumni Society a vehicle that will involve more alumni and make the College more relevant to them. Our Black Alumni Club (MCBAC), under the leadership of Charles Ntamere ’96 and his committee, held its first event, Family Fest, on Sunday, February 5, following the Manhattan-Loyola basketball game. It was highly attended and bodes well for the future of this new chapter. On Wednesday, February 22, the Latino Alumni Club (MCLAC), chaired by Maria Khury ’77, organized an evening at the “Repertorio Espanol Theatre.” The response was excellent, and everyone enjoyed the show. Our newly organized Manhattan Alumnae Club, under the leadership of Meg Walsh ’79 and Michelle Colamartino
Alumni Society
’98, hosted a campus spa event on Sunday, March 26. There is a great need for more alumnae participation at Manhattan, and I invite all of you to suggest ideas for future events. In review of some of our other annual events, the Career Fair in October attracted more than 600 students. Thanks to Ken Kelly ’54 and his volunteers for all the hard work before and during the fair. Our Alumni Brunch and Open House on October 30 were attended by 4,000 students, and Ben Benson ’55 did a great job. On November 2, the New York City Alumni Club sponsored a fall networking reception at Mutual of America in midtown Manhattan. Russ Schriefer ’80 delivered a stimulating talk on campaign tactics and advertising going from the most recent presidential campaign back to the Eisenhower years. The Q-and-A period was especially lively. We had a full house, which included 20 of our College seniors. Thanks to the NYC Club committee for an outstanding job. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly ’63 was the guest speaker at the Law Enforcement Club Reception on November 17. On December 3, we had the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, with more than 120 people in attendance. George Skau ’59 did all of the organizing. Just a reminder, Hall of Fame nominations for 2006 must be in by the end of May.
Jim Smith ’60, NAC President
St. Patrick’s Day activities included our own parade in New York City, lunches in Washington, Long Island and Sarasota. On March 12, Jim Connors ’57 hosted his annual Southwest Florida Club reception and, on March 18, Naples, Fla., had its annual parade. As in past years, Connors, “the Jasper Mayor of Naples,” led the Manhattan marchers. As I have said before, I welcome new ideas and, of course, we are looking for chapter leaders and volunteers for our projects. E-mail me at nacalumni@manhattan.edu or Joe Dillon ’62, director of alumni relations, at joe.dillon@manhattan.edu.
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The members of the NAC and all the great volunteers in New York and throughout the country spend a lot of time and effort in order to achieve our objectives. Grace Feeney and Stephen DeSalvo are an integral part of the alumni office. Brother William Batt has been a valuable addition to the staff and has spearheaded our reorganization in Albany and Western New York. Joe Dillon does a great job and amazingly gets everything done. To all of you, a heartfelt thanks. Getting the job done would not be possible without you.
NYC’s Top Cop Addresses Law Enforcement Club On November 17, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly ’63 addressed more than 50 members of the Law Enforcement Alumni Club. This annual reception, attended by alumni with careers in the criminal justice system and undergraduate students and faculty from the sociology department of the school of arts, was held at the J.P. Morgan Chase reception center.
Kelly reviewed the impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the daily operations of the New York City Police Department. He also explained some of the policies and procedures now being followed to protect the city against a future terrorist attack. A discussion and Q-and-A session followed his remarks.
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