Alumni News
Make plans for Reunion 2008, June 20-22
Classes ending in 3’s and 8’s – it’s your year! Reunion is right around the corner, so make your plans for June 20-22 to be on Sebago Lake. The reunion committee has been working hard to make the weekend memorable and a special time for classmates.
- Individual class parties
- The annual lobster bake under the tent with live music
- Brand new alumni scavenger hunt
- Campus tours and updates
- Dorm living by class
- Plenty of time with friends
A full schedule of events, lodging info, class message boards and attendee lists can be found on The ROCK. Go to http://therock.sjcme.edu.
Same time next year!
by Linda Dickerson '00
Linda Dickerson '00, Barbara Dowd '99, and Patty Hrehocik '06 at Cape Neddick lighthouse.
Life is good and full of surprises. It's what keeps many of us going each day. That is how I felt the day I arrived at Saint Joseph's College in 1996 to begin the summer distance education program.
I had left behind my husband, my children, my job and had no idea what was in store for me. The day was filled with getting settled in. and of course, we couldn't wait for dinner.We could eat all we wanted, and we didn't have to cook it! Does it get any better than that?
The two weeks went by quickly. I was amazed at what I was able to learn in that time, and how much I enjoyed being a full-time college student again. Many new friends were made, but something special happened to four of us. When we were all getting ready to go back to our "normal," lives, we didn't want to lose what we had. Thus was born the "Same Time Next Year Friends."
Consisting of Jackie Garcia from Houston, Texas (who now lives in Colorado), Patty Hrehocik from Cleveland, Ohio, Barbara Dowd from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Linda Dickerson from Newnan, Ga., we had become instant best buddies. We shared classes, meals and laughs. We decided it would be fun to meet the next year for vacation together. That tradition still continues today, 11 years after we met!
"We could eat all we wanted, and we didn't have to cook it! Does it get any better than that?"
We have been to Las Vegas, Disney World, Breckenridge, Col., San Antonio, Savannah, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Lake Tahoe, Door County, Wis., and last year, we returned to the "scene of the crime." We came back to Portland and visited the school!
We received a lot from Saint Joseph's, but the greatest gift has been these very special friends. We all have our degrees now. Patty is a vice president with University Hospitals of Cleveland. Jackie is a nurse anesthetist, Barb was a nurse manager in a hospital until her recent retirement after 37 years, and I am a nurse educator and parish nurse.
Our lives continue to be busy and hectic at times, but once a year we put everything aside and meet to toast our friendship. We are already planning our trip for 2008 ... Kansas City here we come!
New parents council forming
Although parents of Saint Joseph's students receive the magazine and learn about the college in other ways, there has not been an established way for parents to easily communicate their ideas or concerns to the college. That's going to change this spring. With the blessing of the President and the Board of Trustees, the college's Institutional Advancement office will be organizing a Saint Joseph's Parents Association, to be led by a Parents Council.
The Institutional Advancement office will bring together interested parents who will help to organize the association, determine programming, and set the course for its participation in the life of the college.
One thing is certain. The college recognizes that parents of its current and former students have a strong interest in the college and possess valuable insights that can make significant contributions to the progress of Saint Joseph's in the years ahead.
Any parents who are willing to be involved in this important undertaking are asked to contact Heather Plati, Director of Alumni and Parents Relations, or A. P. "Bun" Perkinson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Both can be reached at 207-893-7890 or via e-mail: hplati@sjcme.edu and bperkinson@sjcme.edu. We hope to hear from a large number of parents.
Saint Joseph's alumni are ROCKing online!
Saint Joseph's College new online community, the ROCK, is a hit with alumni! Record numbers are responding to our e-mail and postcard invitations to join. More than 400 alumni logged in during our first week!
In late January, Saint Joseph's sent out an e-mail announcing The ROCK, and within the first week the hundreds of alumni who logged in began to invite other alumni to join! This response highlights our excitement. The site you have been waiting for is here.
Many alumni are coming back to the site, day after day, looking for classmates. Alumni from nearly every decade are logging in, sharing memories of Saint Joseph's and life since graduation, learning what is currently going on with other alumni, registering for events and e-mailing old friends.
Are you ready to ROCK? If you are just joining The ROCK, log in at http://therock.sjcme.edu and click "first time login." Find your name in our directory, confirm your identity with the ID number above your address on the back of this magazine, and you are ready to go!
Alumni career panel for student athletes
The athletic department sponsored an alumni career panel for all current student athletes on February 20. The evening gave students a chance to hear real-world stories of life after graduation, ask questions, and interact with the panel. Alumni encouraged students to stay true to their passions, take risks, use your Saint Joseph's resources and the team mentality once you are in the workforce. Alumni participants were(left to right): bottom row - Sheri (McCarthy) Piers '03, Chris Lee '00; top row - Nick Mirabello '03, Todd Hamilton '99 and Jamie Morrison '07.
Upcoming Events
We're always adding events to the alumni calendar. For up-to-date information, details, and to register, visit The ROCK at http://therock.sjcme.edu.
| Date | Event | Location |
| April | ||
| 2 | Boston Celtics game | TD Banknorth Garden |
| 3 | Reflections on the first year in teaching | Saint Joseph’s |
| 11 | Class of 2008
ROCK Launch Party |
Saint Joseph’s |
| 30 | Portland, Maine ROCK Launch Party | SPACE Gallery |
| May | ||
| 10 | Class of 2008 Graduation | Saint Joseph’s |
| June | ||
| 5 | Boston Red Sox Game | Fenway Park |
| 12 | Distance Education Reception | Saint Joseph’s |
| 20 | Walton Street Society Induction | Saint Joseph’s |
| 20-22 | Reunion 2008 | Saint Joseph’s |
| 28 | New Parents Reception | Saint Joseph’s |
| July | ||
| 12 | New Parents Reception | Saint Joseph’s |
| 22 | Distance Education Reception | Saint Joseph’s |
| August | ||
| 15 | Boston Red Sox Game | Fenway Park |
| September | ||
| 12 | Annual Golf Tournament | Spring Meadow, Gray, Maine |
| 13-14 | Homecoming 2008 | Saint Joseph’s |
| 26-28 | Family Weekend | Saint Joseph’s |
| 27 | Parents Council Meeting | Saint Joseph’s |
| October | ||
| 25 | President's Society Gala | Portland Museum of Art |
| November | ||
| 8 | Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner | Saint Joseph’s |
