News from the Quad
ANNUAL FUND RECEPTION RECOGNIZES DONORS The Xavier Society/Loyola Associates reception was held Sept. 21 at Moran’s Restaurant on the West Side, to recognize generous donors to Xavier’s 20042005 annual fund. Over 70 alumni and family members showed up for the event, which began with a cocktail hour with hors ‘doeuvres. The comfortable, casual environment allowed alumni to become reacquainted with one another. Following the food, the audience heard from Joseph Gorski and Fr. Gatti, and were thanked for their continuous support. The wide range in graduating years of those who attended showed that as decades progress, Xavier alumni do not fail to remember the pride and tradition that was instilled in them. Many classic Xavier memories were shared, and a good time was had by all. The new Advancement Team would like to thank all the attendees for making the night the first successful event of the school year.
ERIC RIVERS: Xavier’s New Director of Annual Giving
While new to Xavier, Eric is no stranger to the Jesuit principle of service to others. Eric Lamar Rivers graduated from Georgetown University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts. After Georgetown, Eric worked for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he served in several positions— most recently as Manager of Knowledge Management. Eric is bringing experience with corporations, foundations, and individuals to the position of Director of Annual Giving.
FRESHMAN
FUN DAY
On Friday, August 30th 232 freshmen entered Xavier High School for the first time as students. But absent from the day was any of the stress and tension one might usually expect from the first day. This was no ordinary school day. This was Freshman Fun Day! The day began with a gathering of the newest Xavier additions in the gym, where they were given a standing ovation from nearly 100 Big Brothers. It was enough to comfort even the most nervous freshman and while he may not have known anyone when he came to Xavier that day, he was about to make many new friends. Dr. Gerics welcomed the new class. Even Xavier teachers got involved and took advantage of a relaxed time to get to know their students better. Through the course of the day, the freshmen moved about the school where different sports and activities were set up.“I couldn’t believe there was so much to do,” said one freshman,“I played dodge ball on the roof, tug-of-war in the hallway, volleyball in the gym and even video games in one of the classrooms.” It was indeed a great day. After a full morning of activities, the freshmen ate together for the first time as a part of the Xavier community. Those who had been strangers upon arriving that morning were now friends. At the end of the day, the class of 2009 came together to celebrate Mass. The class gave thanks for the day, each other, and Xavier, knowing that they were off to a great start.
—Tom Wierzbowski ’00
The Xavier Regiment in the Columbus Day Parade.
Xavier’s X-Squad performing live on CBS’s The Early Show.
JROTC Steps Lively Xavier’s JROTC Regiment had a very busy few weeks, kicking off the school year with several major appearances, including a performance on CBS’s The Early Show and a prominent position in the Columbus Day Parade. Over 50 cadets from the X-Squad performed during the broadcast of the weather report on October 7—an appearance that got cadets shining their brass and straightening their uniforms just in time for the parade.The Regiment made the school community proud with their fine performance on 59th St., and Fr. Gatti was present to witness the activities. On October 10, the full Xavier Regiment lined up on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue for the annual Columbus Day Parade, but this year there was a special twist. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia ’53 was selected to be the parade’s Grand Marshal, leading the procession through Manhattan. The presence of Justice Scalia generated media attention from coast to coast, and he made reference to the times he marched the parade route with the Regiment during his own days as Lieutenant Colonel in Xavier’s JROTC. The cadets performed on Fifth Avenue to a television audience of millions, as well as a significant live audience of Xavier supporters and other New Yorkers.
FEBRUARY 2006
— ALUMNEWS
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