“ Xavier was the best investment I have ever made.” — BARBARA GOGER P’09
The Lanning Family By Mark Mongelluzzo When Gerald Lanning ’56 P’83 ’92 graduated from Flushing’s St. Andrew Avellino School in January 1953, only Brooklyn Prep would accept him at such an odd time of the school year. Traveling from Flushing to Crown Heights proved difficult, however, so he arrived on 16th Street as a sophomore transfer student in September 1953—just missing the chance to walk the halls with his brother, Richard Lanning ’53†, who had graduated that June. The day he arrived on campus, Jerry extended a family tradition that began in 1949 upon his brother’s arrival and continues today, shaping three generations of Lanning men. Xavier was not initially the first choice of Richard Lanning ’83, but a chance encounter at a fall 1978 football game involving his father and then-president Jim Keenan, S.J. changed that. Even at a young age, he could sense that Xavier was a special community he wanted to be a part of. Thirty-five years after graduating, he noted:
“It is the Jesuit philosophy of academic rigor, pursuit of personal and spiritual growth, and the call to help others that have impacted my life the most. That and the great sense of community it fosters.” His younger brother, Tim Lanning ’92 P’21, continued the Xavier tradition a decade later and now has a son, Gerald Lanning ’21, enrolled on 16th Street. “Gerald has grown in just a few short months at Xavier,” Tim said. “His borders now extend to the limits of his MetroCard. He has both new classmates and teammates and is routinely challenged academically and spiritually. He has become a better version of himself.” Jerry’s daughters, Barbara Goger P’09 and Maura Pavan P’18, also sent their sons Christopher Goger ’09 and Vincent Pavan ’18 to Xavier. “Xavier was the best investment I have ever made. Chris lives his life trying to make the world a better place, something he learned at Xavier,” Barbara reflected. “Vince graduates this year,” added Maura, “and I am amazed at how much he has grown. I am excited by his future and grateful that Xavier helped him find his voice and become a man.” Perhaps Colleen Lanning P’21 summed it up best for her family. “I see the result of the Xavier education as evidenced by the wellrounded Lanning men in my life. They make for wonderful husbands, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and sons. I am proud that Gerald ’21 is carrying on the fine tradition of a Xavier education.”
Rich Lanning ’83, Gerald Lanning ’21, Chris Goger ’09, Gerald Lanning ’56 P’83 ’92, Vincent Pavan ’18, and Tim Lanning ’92 P’21
XAVIER MAGAZINE 11