Celebrating the Class of 2012 June 14 marked the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication for members of Xavier’s graduating Class of 2012. Graduating seniors filled the aisles at St. Patrick’s Cathedral while family members and, for the first time ever, an online audience of more than 500 alumni, friends and supporters watched a live stream of the event, made possible by the Cathedral. Commencement speaker Daniel Rodriguez ’58, a longtime member of Xavier’s Board of Trustees and former chair of the Xavier Plant Committee, that oversees crucial building and infrastructure changes on 16th Street, spoke about his time as a student and the crucial career advice he received from Rev. Gerard Knoepfel, S.J., Xavier’s student counselor. “You all have completed a very rigorous, and also an enjoyable four-
year period in your lives,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “You’ve been taught by a gifted and spectacular faculty and you’ve been given the tools that are so necessary in order to continue to the next step in your life’s work…As you begin on your next personal life’s journeys, I want you to remember Xavier as being a safe harbor in both good and stormy times. Xavier will always be here for you, but you must also always be here for It was all smiles as the Class of 2012 congratulated one another following the ceremony. Xavier.” This year’s salutatorian was is our chance to apply what we have John Cortese ’12, who delivered the learned here in the world,” Grewal said. welcome address and spoke about the “We can be leaders in our own daily lessons he has learned over the last four lives, be men of honor, of integrity and of years. Aman Grewal ’12, valedictorian, compassion.... We can be the men Xavier spoke about the support he and his has tried to make us become.” classmates received from others. “This
Scenes from St. Patrick’s Day
Members of Xavier’s JROTC Regiment and the Blue Night Band made Xavier proud on St. Patrick’s Day, marching with pride down New York’s 5th Avenue in the largest parade in the country — this year, led by Grand Marshal Frank Comerford ’73. Xavier’s Regiment was led by Cdt. Col. Gregory Watch ’12, and the lines of Xavier’s finest looked sharp as they passed the reviewing stands. Xavier Magazine
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